| Type | Title | Practice Area | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Alerts | "Ordinary Observer" Test is the Only Test for Analyzing Design Patent Validity | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2009-12-22 |
| Author(s): Paul Cha, Mark Yaskanin, | |||
| Abstract: Last year the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Egyptian Goddess, Inc. v. Swisa, Inc., 543 F.3d 665 (Fed. Cir. 2008) held that the "point of novelty" test was no longer valid in determining design patent infringement. Rather, the "ordinary observer" test from U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Gorham Co. v. White, 81 U.S. 511 (1871), is the sole and controlling test for determining whether a design patent has been infringed. The Court in Egyptian, however, left unanswered whether the "ordinary observer" test would be applied in design patent validity analyses. On December 17, 2009, the Federal Circuit in Int'l Seaway Trading Corp. v. Walgreens Corp., No. 2009-1237 (Fed. Cir. Dec. 17, 2009) affirmatively answered this question: "the ordinary observer test must logically be the sole test for anticipation as well." View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Green Technology Goes to the Head of the Line at USPTO | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2009-12-14 |
| Author(s): Lin Hsu, | |||
| Abstract: In advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark,the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has made patenting green technology easier and faster. Domestic and foreign patent applications pertaining to these new inventions and pending at the USPTO are eligible for accelerated examination by the USPTO. Normal fees and requirements when petitioning for accelerated examination have been waived. In essence, the Applicant need only file a form provided by the USPTO requesting accelerated examination. View PDF. | |||
| Publications | Open Source Crash Course | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, Open Source Software Licensing and Compliance, | 2009-10-27 |
| Author(s): Jason Haislmaier, | |||
| Abstract: Boulder-based HRO attorney Jason Haislmaier presented an Open Source “Crash Course” through the Silicon Flatirons Center at the University of Colorado. The presentation provides background on the history of open source software, a discussion of recent legal developments and their impact on companies using open source software, and coverage of how companies are increasingly putting open source to work in their business models. View PDF. | |||
| Publications | Computerspiele - Die Filmwerke Des 21. Jahrhunderts? | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2009-07-15 |
| Author(s): Peter Katko, | |||
| Abstract: Im Jahr 2007 hat die Spielebranche mit Computer-, Video-, Mobile- und Online-Spielen weltweit 42 Milliarden Dollar umgesetzt. Deutschland ist nach England der zweitgrößte Spielemarkt in Europa. Knapp 1,6 Milliarden Euro haben die Deutschen im Jahr 2007 für Computer- und Videospiele ausgegeben, mehr als jemals zuvor und zum ersten Mal sogar mehr als für Musik oder Filme. Trotz der Finanzkrise soll der Spielebereich weiterhin zulegen und Umsatzmotor sein. Die rasante Entwicklung der Spielebranche, getrieben durch technische Innovation sowie Kreativität und enormen Erfindungsreichtum der Spieledesigner, stellt das Urheberrecht vor neue Herausforderungen. Der sichere Erwerb der Nutzungsrechte von Computerspielen ist für die Entwicklungsstudios von großer Bedeutung. Sie benötigen für eine gesicherte Verwertung der Computerspiele die Verwertungsrechte an den schöpferischen Beiträgen wie an den vorbestehenden Werken. Computerspiele werden im UrhG als Werkart nicht erwähnt. Allerdings bieten sich sowohl Computerprogramm wie insbesondere das Filmwerk als Kategorien an, die sowohl tatbestandsmäßig wie aufgrund der Privilegierungen des Produzenten in §§ 69b, 88 ff UrhG der Interessenlage gerecht werden könnten. Nachfolgend werden Computerspiele in das System des Urheberrechts eingeordnet und die Auswirkungen auf die Vertragsbeziehungen der an der Spielentwicklung beteiligten Akteure gezeigt. Insbesondere die Privilegierung des Filmherstellers führt aus Sicht der Verfasser auch bei Computerspielen zu interessengerechten Ergebnissen. View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Immediate Action Required to Try to Prevent Facebook Username Squatting | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2009-06-11 |
| Author(s): Jill Chalmers, | |||
| Abstract: As you likely know, Facebook is a popular social network. Facebook has just announced that beginning Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, Facebook users will be allowed for the first time to create personalized URLs for their Facebook pages (facebook.com/yourname). However, Facebook is also providing trademark owners the chance to prevent others from registering usernames that contain trademarks owned by third parties. This means that trademark owners will have a very short period of time (until this Friday, June 12) to provide notice to Facebook of trademark registrations which may preempt others from registering them as Facebook usernames (process begins on Saturday, June 13). View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Prepare Now For Domain Name Expansion | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2008-11-03 |
| Author(s): Jill Chalmers, Katherine Keating, | |||
| Abstract: Now is the time to start preparing for the proposed expansion of generic top level domain name extensions that will impact all businesses and Internet users. View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | The "New" Old Standard: The Ordinary Observer Test for Design Patent Infringement | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2008-10-02 |
| Author(s): Thomas Rossa, Paul Cha, | |||
| Abstract: On September 22, 2008, a unanimous en banc decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals reinstituted the “ordinary observer" test as the sole test for determining infringement of U.S. design patents. In making this decision, the court abandoned a 1984 Federal Circuit decision requiring an additional “point of novelty" test. This decision also reallocated burdens for trial and enlarged the reach of design patents. View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | The Decision Open Source Has Been Waiting For | Open Source Software Licensing and Compliance, Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2008-08-26 |
| Author(s): Jason Haislmaier, | |||
| Abstract: As has been widely publicized in the industry, legal and even mainstream media, on August 13, 2008 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) issued its decision in the closely watched case of Jacobsen v. Katzer. In its decision, the CAFC confirmed one of the core legal assumptions upon which the entire open source world is based — namely that open source licenses are legally enforceable as licenses under U.S. copyright law. Perhaps more importantly, the CAFC’s decision also validated the ability of open source licensors to seek injunctive relief under copyright law to stop violations of open source licenses, in addition to merely being able to seek monetary damages in compensation for those violations. While the decision itself totals only 12 pages, it has potentially far-reaching implications for both users and distributors of free and open source software (and has instantly become required reading for anyone with interest or involvement in open source software licensing or compliance issues). View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | United States Supreme Court Issues Decision on Patent Exhaustion: No Double Dipping for Unconditional Licenses | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2008-06-20 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: On June 9, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in the closely followed case of Quanta Computer, Inc. v. LG Electronics, Inc. (No. 06-937). The Quanta case has garnered much commentary within the patent law community and the decision of the Court is not likely to quell interest in the case. While the decision clarifies that the patent exhaustion doctrine applies to method claims in patents (in addition to other types of claims), it leaves open the possibility that a carefully crafted patent license could bar the doctrine's application in certain circumstances. View PDF. | |||
| Publications | Sarbanes-Oxley and Intellectual Property: Strange Bedfellows or Traps for the Unwary | Securities and Capital Markets, Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, Commercial Law and Securities, | 2008-06-05 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Publications | Hot Topics in Intellectual Property for Corporate Counsel | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2007-12-12 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Federal Circuit Issues Landmark Decision on Willful Patent Infringement | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2007-08-21 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: This HRO legal alert discusses a decision issued yesterday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The decision in 'In Re Seagate' revisited the thicket of precedent related to willful infringement, the role that opinion of counsel plays in its determination, and the effect of reliance on opinion of counsel on waiver of attorney-client privilege and work product immunity. View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Community Patent Review Pilot Project | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2007-03-23 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: This HRO legal alert discusses a brand new pilot examination program supported by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The Community Patent Review project will make applications available on a web portal, where volunteer community reviewers may comment on them, provide prior art, and other contributions that the Examiner may find helpful during later examination. The stated goal of the project is to produce better-quality, more litigation-proof patents. Please do not hesitate to contact the HRO attorneys listed on the Alert if you have any questions about this project. View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Greater Protection Against Dilution of Famous Marks - October, 2006 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2006-10-11 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: This HRO legal alert discussed the newly passed Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2006. This new law provides greater protection for famous marks from uses that blur their distinctiveness or tarnish their reputation. Members of HRO's Intellectual Property practice group are familiar with all aspects relative to the protection of trademark and service marks including trademark dilution claims. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the members of HRO's intellectual property practice group listed on the alert if you have any questions about your marks. View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | eBay v. MercExchange Case - May, 2006 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2006-05-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Dot EU Domain Name Alert - December, 2005 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2005-12-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Supreme Court Hits High Note for Copyright Holders - July, 2005 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2005-07-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Supreme Court Allows More Drug Research Activities - June, 2005 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2005-06-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | "Fair Use" Defense Strengthened for Trademark Infringement - December, 2004 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2004-12-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Knorr-Bremse Case - September, 2004 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2004-09-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Publications | Security Interests in Intellectual Property and Licenses of Intellectual Property in Bankruptcy - (December, 2003) | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-12-23 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | One Trademark Filing - Protection in Over 60 Countries - October, 2003 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-10-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | California Imposes New Data Privacy Obligations - September, 2003 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-09-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | HRO IP Group Participates in The Colorado Bar Association CLE 2003 Intellectual Property Institute - June, 2003 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-07-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | More Efficient Trademark Searches - April, 2003 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-04-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Publications | Introduction to Intellectual Property - (2003) | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-01-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Publications | An Overview of United States Copyright Law - (2003) | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-01-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Publications | An Overview of United States Trademark Law - (2003) | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-01-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Publications | An Overview of United States Patent Law - (2003) | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-01-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Publications | An Overview of Confidential Information/Trade Secret Protection For Employers - (2003) | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2003-01-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||
| Law Alerts | Simplification Of Foreign Trademark Filings: United States Implements The Madrid Protocol - December, 2002 | Intellectual Property, Technology & Media, | 2002-12-01 |
| Author(s): | |||
| Abstract: View PDF. | |||