The answer to this inquiry is “yes” — but maybe “no.” Will confidentiality agreements shield any prior art concerns? Once again, maybe “yes” — but maybe “no.” Indeed, do clinical trials constitute an experimental use that...more
On June 28, 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) requested the public’s views on the current state of the common law experimental use exception to patent infringement and whether legislative action...more
The US Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) issued a request for comments concerning the public’s views on the common law experimental use exception and whether Congress should enact a statutory experimental use exception. 89 Fed....more
As post grant review allows for on sale bar assertions, and thus experimental use defenses, we wanted to highlight a recent case addressing these issues. Sunoco sued Venture and U.S. Oil Co. for infringement of U.S. Patent...more
The PTAB Strategies and Insights newsletter provides timely updates and insights into how best to handle proceedings at the USPTO. It is designed to increase return on investment for all stakeholders looking at the entire...more
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed and remanded a district court decision regarding experimental use under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) and the application of enhanced damages based on an allegedly flawed...more
With another busy week of arguments last week, the Federal Circuit took a break from issuing precedential decisions. But it still pushed out several non-precedential decisions along with some quick affirmances without...more
Precedential Federal Circuit Opinions - SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING v. U.S. VENTURE, INC. [OPINION] (2020-1640, 4/29/22) (Prost, Reyna, Stoll) - Prost, J. Vacating in part a judgment of infringement because the...more
On April 29, 2022, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an opinion for Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals L.P. v. U.S. Venture, Inc., U.S. Oil Co., Inc. (2022 WL 1275697).This case touched on a number of...more
Sunoco Partners Marketing & Terminals L.P. v. U.S. Venture, Inc., Appeal Nos. 2020-1640, -1641 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 29, 2022) - Our case of the week has a little bit for everyone, including lost profits, reasonable royalties,...more
SUNOCO PARTNERS MARKETING v. U.S. VENTURE, INC. Before Prost, Reyna, and Stoll. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Summary: References to testing in an offer for sale...more
The Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2, Statutes of Canada 2018, c.27, received Royal Assent on December 13, 2018. As discussed in our earlier article, this is wide-ranging legislation implementing various provisions of...more
Some inventions require testing before they are ready for patenting, and sometimes that testing requires use by the public. A recent decision from the Federal Circuit provides additional guidance on what activities qualify...more
PATENT CASE OF THE WEEK - Polara Engineering Inc. v. Campbell Company, Appeal Nos. 2017-1974, -2033 (Fed. Cir. July 10, 2018) In this wide-ranging opinion, the Court provided a rare and lengthy opinion on the public use...more
Federal Circuit Summaries - Before Lourie, Dyk, and Hughes. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California Summary: (1) The public use bar is not triggered by experimental use...more
Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions, Inc. v. Renesas Electronics America, Inc., Appeal Nos. 2016-2121, -2208, -2235 (Fed. Cir. 2018)?- In an appeal from a jury trial, the Federal Circuit addressed numerous issues...more