Global Health Solutions LLC, v. Marc Selner, No. 2023-2009 (Fed. Cir. (PTAB) Aug. 26, 2025). Opinion by Stark, joined by Stoll and Goldberg. “This case marks [the Federal Circuit’s] first review of an AIA derivation...more
In Google v. Sonos, the Federal Circuit soundly disposed of arguments that the patent-in-suit was unenforceable due to laches based on an “unreasonable delay” in patent prosecution. Does the court’s reasoning foreclose the...more
In October 2023, we reported on the district court decision in Sonos, Inc. v. Google LLC. The decision was notable for reviving the prosecution laches doctrine to render unenforceable a continuation patent filed 13 years...more
The Federal Circuit’s recent decision in Google LLC v. Sonos, Inc. (24-1097) offers a compelling look at the evolving doctrine of prosecution laches, the written description requirement, and the practical realities of patent...more
At summer’s start, the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) made headlines with a landmark decision invalidating the Trump Administration’s imposition of tariffs on nearly all imported goods from nearly all U.S. trading...more
Global Health Solutions LLC v. Selner, Appeal No. 2023-2009 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 26, 2025) - In our Case of the Week, the Federal Circuit conducted its first review of a derivation proceeding under the America Invents Act that...more
On July 18, 2025, U.S. District Judge Sarah Morrison of the Southern District of Ohio granted motions filed by the Ohio State University (“OSU”), Learfield Communications, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”)...more
District court grants Disney’s motion for summary judgment, holding it did not infringe plaintiffs’ copyright in blue-eyed ukulele-playing turtle character, but rather independently created its own musical turtle character,...more
Seven bipartisan sponsors introduced the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 on May 22, 2025, as Senate Bill 1884. The bill would extend provisions of the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act (HEAR Act) of 2016...more
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a $56 million trial verdict in a trademark dispute, finding that the evidence supported the jury’s conclusion that a beer company’s rebranding of one its beers infringed a...more
It is quite common in divorce settlements to require payments to be made over time or in the future. Some people, for whatever reason, choose not to immediately go back to court for enforcement when there is non-compliance....more
The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court’s ruling that aggrieved family members’ counterclaims for various intellectual property matters were long overdue and subject to a laches defense....more
After the district court, on remand, held that laches did not bar relief, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit again determined that the district court abused its discretion by not properly applying the presumption...more
Does a court-appointed GAL in a trust matter owe fiduciary duties to the parties to the trust relationship who have yet to come into existence, e.g., the settlor’s future great grandchildren (hereinafter the “non-existent...more
A recent district court decision in Sonos v. Google has set forth a novel application of the prosecution laches doctrine to a patent with a post-1995 priority date. Sonos Inc. v. Google LLC, 20-06754 WHA, 2023 WL 6542320...more
As a collection and banking attorney, I am often asked whether (or when) I think collections will restart now that we are somewhat “beyond” COVID-19, although not fully. In my own practice I have seen an increase in demand...more
The Supreme Court recently declined to review Personalized Media Communications, LLC v. Apple Inc., where a divided panel of the Federal Circuit upheld the district court’s finding that a PMC patent is unenforceable due to...more
Last week, the Court of Appeals of Virginia issued an important opinion involving trespass and statutes of limitations. In Willems v. Batcheller, Record No. 0754-22-4, 2023 Va. App. LEXIS 524 (Ct. App. Va. Aug. 8, 2023), the...more
A federal court in New Jersey recently granted salon franchisor Fantastic Sams summary judgment against former franchisees that failed to make payments required under a previous settlement agreement. Fantastic Sams Franchise...more
We are excited to share Sheppard Mullin’s inaugural quarterly report on key Federal Circuit decisions. The Spring 2023 Quarterly Report provides summaries of most key patent law-related decisions from January 1, 2023 to March...more
The Eleventh Circuit joins the Ninth Circuit where, despite a claim of copyright infringement having a three-year statute of limitation, a plaintiff can recover damages more than three years prior to the suit. Recently, the...more
Earlier this month, a magistrate judge in the Northern District of California dealt another blow to the “kitchen sink” approach to pleading affirmative defenses. In Wesch v. Yodlee, Inc., Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim granted...more
By Memorandum Order entered by the Honorable Leonard P. Stark in Emerson Radio Corp. v. Emerson Quiet Kool Co. Ltd., Civil Action No. 20-1652-LPS (D.Del. November 5, 2021), the Court granted the motion for partial summary...more
BROOKLYN BREWERY CORPORATION V. BROOKLYN BREW SHOP, LLC - Before Judges Dyk, O’Malley, and Hughes. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: A challenger must demonstrate an injury in fact to have...more
Kim v. Coupang, LLC, C.A. No. 2020-0772-JRS (Del. Ch. Aug. 19, 2021) - If a court can rule on the affirmative defense of laches on the face of a complaint, it may grant a motion to dismiss. As this case illustrates,...more