Patents

Case summaries and articles about  patents.

September 6, 2019
A Coke being poured from a plastic bottle into a glass with ice.

Pepsi Wins Squabble Over Scent-Releasing Trade Secrets

CAFC 2018-2091 – The Federal Circuit refused to grant lost profits and joint ownership to ScentSational Technologies for their scent-releasing bottle cap.
August 30, 2019
Woman rubs medicinal cream on her skin

Canadian Drug Pricing Regulator Ordered to Reconsider Differin

2019 FCA 196 – In an ongoing dispute between the PMPRB and Galderma, the FCA says the drug pricing regulator erred in its interpretation of the law.
August 23, 2019
A busnisess's empty board room with desk chairs and a table.

What Can Businesses Expect From the US Patent Reforms?

A draft bill released May 22nd proposes significant reforms to section 101 of the US Patent Act. Businesses should be aware of the commercial impact.
July 22, 2019
Photo of a contract or license being signed.

Despite Contract, License Holder Cannot Sue for Patent Infringement: CAFC

CAFC warns that the distinction between assignment and license cannot be determined by “formalities or magic words.”
July 18, 2019
Mail, Postal service

US Postal Service Prohibited from Challenging Mail Sorting Patent

SCOTUS blocked US Postal Service from using proceedings under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (“AIA”) to avoid litigation and invalidate a US Patent.
July 11, 2019
SCOTUS, the supreme court of the United States

US Supreme Court Asked to Resolve “Fundamental State of Disorder” in the Patent System

A cybersecurity start-up is asking the US Supreme Court to take a bold stance on the judicial treatment of patents and fix the US patent system.
July 8, 2019
Computer server, cables, fiber optic cables, electronics, hardware

Federal Circuit Reinstates Software Patents in Favour of Alleged Patent Troll

The CAFC reminds lower courts that software patents are valid where they claim a particular improvement in how the outcome is achieved.
July 2, 2019
Vials containing pharmaceuticals (drugs)

Oxymorphone Patent Is Not Obvious, Federal Circuit Confirms

CAFC confirms that an invention is only obvious and ineligible for a patent where a skilled person would have had a “reasonable expectation of success.”
June 11, 2019
Legal textbooks on a shelf

CAFC Refuses to Hear Appeal from Patent Decision

AVX Corporation v Presidio Components (Fed. Cir., 2018-1106) A case recently dismissed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”) confirms that […]
June 4, 2019
Pharmaceutical researcher in a laboratory

When Can New Uses for Known Drugs Be Patented?

Fed. Cir., 2018-1434 - CAFC clarifies the test for obviousness where the invention claims a use of a known drug.
May 28, 2019
A judge's gavel in front of the UK national flag

PCK IP Lawyers Instrumental in Client’s Defense of Patent Ownership

PCK IP Lawyers LLP represented Netsweeper in patent ownership dispute against Prosyscor in which Netsweeper was successful.
May 9, 2019
Vintage alarm clock with bells

New Patent Rules will Make Reinstatements and Reversing a Patent Expiry More Onerous

Requests for patent application reinstatements and reversing a patent expiry are about to get more onerous with the new Patent Rules.
May 7, 2019
Abstract three-dimensional design resembling building blocks

Federal Circuit Reins in Impossible Standards for Antedating Prior Art

Fed. Cir., 2016-2222 - CAFC affirms that a patent may be successfully defended if the patent holder can prove that the invention was conceived prior to any similar prior art.
April 30, 2019
GUI on a computer monitor showing a stock performance

Stock Trading GUI Falls Short of Patentability Requirements in US

Fed. Cir. 2017-2257 - CAFC Reaffirms: GUI That Merely Collects and Displays Data Is Not Patentable
April 18, 2019
Interview

No More “Phone Tag” at the USPTO

USPTO introduces Automated Interview Requests; a new web-based tool that allows Applicants to schedule an interview with an Examiner for their pending patent application.
April 17, 2019
Photograph of several clocks on a wall indicating the time in different time zones.

PCT Filing Deadlines in Canada Soon to be Much Shorter

Shorter Deadlines for PCT Filing in Canada Coming Soon
April 16, 2019
Photograph of stacks of coins

Canada Federal Court of Appeal Affirms Punitive Damages Award

2019 FCA 29 - Canada's FCA refuses to intervene in trial judge's decision with respect to punitive damages.
April 12, 2019
Photograph of a sunset over the trains in a trainyard.

Patentees May Bring Motion to Stay Proceedings Before the Commissioner to the FC

2019 FC 142 - FC confirms it may stay proceedings before federal board or commissions if elements of strict test are met.
April 5, 2019
Woman standing on a street holding an open binder

Canadian Patent Filing Requirements About To Change

Filing requirements are about to change with the new Canadian Patent Rules, expected to come into force in 2019.
April 4, 2019
White and blue pharmaceutical pills scattered on a surface

Actions Under Old PM(NOC) Regime Not Automatically Applicable to the New

2018 FC 1078 - Canada's Federal Court confirms that jurisprudence under previous PM(NOC) regime is not automatically applicable to the new.