Department of Defense Releases a New Intellectual Property Guidebook
The Department of Defense (the “DoD”) recently released a new comprehensive guidebook to help navigate intellectual property laws and regulations. The guidebook states: In today’s global military competition, DoD needs...
Medtech Leaders Speak Out On Impact of Global Tariffs
Some Medtech companies recently addressed the potential impact of global tariffs in their Q1 2025 earnings calls. Johnson & Johnson and Abbott were among the first to speak on the implications...
Fashion’s New Powerhouse: IP Lessons from Prada’s $1.375 Billion Versace Deal
On April 10, 2025, Italian fashion house Prada announced its acquisition of Versace from Capri Holdings for $1.375 billion, uniting two of Italy’s most iconic luxury brands. Though financial implications...
German Sandals Follow the Functional Footsteps of U.S. Cheerleader Uniform Shape
In a recent decision, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice held that Birkenstock’s sandal design was not eligible for copyright protection. The court held that Birkenstock sandals did not display sufficient creativity...
Space Technology Investment – Go for Launch in 2025?
Investors have recently provided solid funding to the space technology sector, with the trend showing signs of continuing in Q1 2025. The general trend over the last half decade for...
U.S. Tariffs and the Medical Device Industry
As of April 24, 2025, the United States has imposed tariffs on over 180 countries and territories. This includes a universal 10% baseline tariff while larger tariffs are in a...
The Votes Are In: Highly Descriptive Marks Are Difficult to Protect
HERITAGE ALLIANCE V. AMERICAN POLICY ROUNDTABLE Before Prost, Taranto, and Stark. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: Continuous-use evidence is not necessarily prima facie evidence of acquired...
Hard to Stomach: Things You Say to Prosecute a Patent Can and Will Be Used Against You
AZURITY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. ALKEM LABORATORIES LTD. Before Murphy, Moore, and Chen. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Summary: Arguments and amendments made during...
Fireball Frenzy: When First Registering a Mark, Genericness of a Mark Is Determined at the Time of Registration
BULLSHINE DISTILLERY LLC v. SAZERAC BRANDS, LLC Before Moore, Reyna and Taranto. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: In assessing genericness, the TTAB considers how the mark...
No Error: The Board Committed No Procedural Error by Relying on Evidence Outside of the Prior Art Reference
SAGE PRODUCTS, LLC v. STEWART [OPINION] Before Reyna, Cunningham, and Stark. Appeal from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: The Board did not...
An Alternative for Treating Mitral Regurgitation Receives Support for Ongoing Trial
Mitral regurgitation is the most common form of valvular heart disease and affects around 10% of Americans over 75. It occurs when the mitral valve, which is located between the left...
U.S. Supreme Court Defers to Agency Decision-Making in FDA’s Denial of Premarket Approval of Flavored E-Cigarette Products
We previously reported a decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), denying the premarketing authorization of several flavored e-cigarette product.[1] On April 2, 2025, the Supreme Court of...
Traffix Jam – Technical Functionality Prevents Trademark Protection for the Color Pink
CERAMTEC GMBH v. COORSTEK BIOCERAMICS LLC Before Lourie, Taranto, and Stark. Appeal from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: A utility patent may...
Zoned Out: The Zone of Natural Expansion Doctrine Can Only Be Used Defensively
DOLLAR FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. v. BRITTEX FINANCIAL, INC. [OPINION] Before Prost, Taranto, and Hughes. Appeal from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: The...
Zydus Lifesciences in Discussions to Acquire Majority Stake in Amplitude Surgical for €256.8m ($277.4m)
Zydus Lifesciences Limited announced on March 11, 2025, that it entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Amplitude Surgical. Reports state that Zydus Lifesciences has a tender offer agreement with PAI Partners,...
FDA Publishes Case Studies and User Guide for Rare Disease Drug Developers
Drug development programs face unique challenges in demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of drugs for treating rare diseases. The FDA’s Accelerating Rare disease Cures (ARC) Program started the Learning and...
Two Bills Introduced to Target “Patent Thickets” and “Product Hopping”
On March 17, 2025, a bipartisan group of senators introduced two bills intended to decrease the cost of prescription drugs. The sponsors include Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Richard...
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Announces Plan to Centralize Peer Review Process
On March 6, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced plans to centralize peer review of all applications for grants, cooperative agreements and research and development contracts within its...
Using Technology and Empowering Communities to Mitigate Wildfire Risk – The Story of FlameMapper
In the latest episode of the Knobbe IP+ podcast, Knobbe Martens partner Mauricio Uribe speaks with Shea Broussard, Oliver Curtis, and Jim Kniss, the team behind FlameMapper, an AI-based solution...
Claims Reciting Material Properties of a Claimed Composition Withstand § 101 Scrutiny
US SYNTHETIC CORP. v. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION Before Dyk, Chen, and Stoll. Appeal from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Summary: The Federal Circuit found claims reciting magnetic properties of a...
Boston Scientific Agrees to Acquire Sonivie Ltd. For up to $540 Million
Boston Scientific recently announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire SoniVie Ltd. According to the press release, SoniVie is a privately held medical device company that developed the TIVUS Intravascular Ultrasound System. SoniVie...