Patently-O Bits and Bytes*

Upcoming Events:

  • 2011 AIPLA Mid-Winter Institute will be held in Orlando from February 2-5. [Link]
  • Duke University School of Law will hold its Annual Hot Topics in Intellectual Property Symposium on February 11th. Speakers include Margo Bagley, Hans Sauer (BIO), and John Conley. [Link]
  • The Missouri Law Review is hosting a Symposium on February 25th in Columbia Missouri about the patent jurisprudence of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. We’ll have a number of great speakers, including USPTO Director David Kappos. [Link] (Free event and free CLE).
  • Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property will hold its annual Symposium on Friday March 4th from 9:00am-4:30pm. [Link] (Free Event, however CLE credit available for $200)
  • IBC Legal Conferences is holding its annual Biotech & Pharmaceutical Patenting Conference February 16-17 in Munich, Germany. Patently-O readers get a discount of 10% by using this code: KW8113PTLL. [Link]

Congressional Action on Patent Reform

  • Senator Leahy has posted a statement on his website discussing the reintroduction of the Patent Reform Act of 2011 [Link]. The Act focuses on 3 main issues:
    • Implementing a first-to-file system.
    • Constraints on infringement damage awards.
    • Rules intended to speed the application process for inventors.

USPTO News

  • On January 25th the PTO’s Director David Kappos, addressed a House subcommittee and urged Congress to pass the President’s FY 2011 Budget Request, which would allow PTO to spend all the fees they collect and also impose a 15% surcharge on patent fees.

Kodak shares tumble

  • Kodak filed complaints with the US International Trade Commission claiming Apple and Rim smartphone’s infringed on their patent. The International Trade Commission Judge held that the patent wasn’t infringed and held the suit invalid. As a result Kodak shares slumped over 25%.  Kodak has lost most of its business share over the years and its patent rights have saved its business model — up to now. The final decision is expected sometime in May.

Twitter sued for Patent Infringement

  • Twitter has been accused of violating patent # 6,408,309, which claims a method of creating an interactive virtual community of famous people.

Patent Jobs:

  • Allergan, a multi-specialty health care company, is seeking an experienced patent agent. [Link]
  • Lee & Hayes, a nationally known intellectual property (IP) law firm, is seeking a lateral experienced patent attorney. [Link]
  • Morgan Lewis, an international law firm, is seeking a Junior/Mid-Level associate for its Philadelphia office. [Link]
  • Ice Miller is seeking a patent attorney with an engineering background and 2-4 years of experience. [Link]

* Lawrence Higgins, a 2L here at Mizzou and future patent attorney will be writing these bits and bytes for the next couple of month. — DC