Patently-O Bits and Bytes

  • Law School Hiring: This year has been dismal for law student hiring. There are many 2Ls and 3Ls who are hopeful patent attorneys, but do not have jobs lined up yet or even serious prospects. In past years, those students would have been already snapped up by the big players. Contact me (dcrouch@patentlyo.com) if you are interested in looking at some Mizzou law resumes.
  • Crocs: Helping keep the streets free of ugly shoes (as well as microscopic fungi), Sketchers has agreed to stop selling its molded footwear. Crocs had sued for design patent and trade dress infringement. Crocs, Inc. v. Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Case No: 1:08-cv-01450-RPM (D. Co 2008).
  • Wall Street Journal Patent News:
    • Medicis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE) climbed 2.26, or 20%, to 13.38, as the Scottsdale, Ariz., skin-products maker agreed to settle a yearlong patent dispute with Impax Laboratories over a generic version of Medicis’ acne drug Solodyn.
    • Falling 7.67, or 46%, to 8.95, Tessera Technologies, a San Jose, Calif., company specializing in semiconductor packaging, was handed a setback when an International Trade Commission judge said six big chip makers didn’t infringe its patents.
  • Future of the PTO: On December 11, 2008 in DC, Chris Katopis will moderate an historic panel of former PTO Leaders: Dickinson, Lehman, Mossinghoff, and Godici. Free Live or via Telephone. Details, RSVP, and call-in info from TLiszka@comptia.org.
  • Santa Clara Computer and High Technology Law Journal’s 25th Annual Symposium: January 30, 2009 in San Jose. I will be presenting some ideas on attorney ethics and inequitable conduct. Other topics include developments in non-practicing entity patent litigation and litigation before the ITC.