Knobbe News
Knobbe Martens Recognized in Inaugural IAM/World Trademark Review Copyright 1000 Guide
IRVINE, Calif., September 29, 2026 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that the firm and its partners were recognized in the first edition of the Copyright 1000: The World’s...
Mark Lezama Quoted in World Trademark Review on Ninth Circuit AI Copyright Ruling in Doe v. GitHub
In a recent World Trademark Review article, Knobbe Martens litigation partner Mark Lezama discussed the implications of the Ninth Circuit’s ruling for OpenAI, GitHub, and and Microsoft in Doe v....
Knobbe Martens Named a California Powerhouse by Law360
Publication highlights firm’s across-the-board strength in intellectual property law IRVINE, Calif., September 24, 2026 – Knobbe Martens is proud to announce that it has been named among Law360’s 2026 California...
Blogs
FDA Launches Expedited IND Pilot Program to Accelerate Human Trials, Raising IP Considerations for Sponsors
Key Takeaways: The Expedited Investigational New Drug (IND) Pilot Program is intended to evaluate whether leveraging qualified research institutions (QRIs) and a rolling review process can improve the efficiency of...
From Aerospace to Automotive: Honeywell Aerospace Targets Automotive Driver-Assistance Systems in Patent Suits Against Lucid and Rivian
Key Takeaway(s): Patent portfolios originally developed for aerospace applications may have relevance to adjacent transportation sectors. Companies developing automotive, rail, maritime, or autonomous vehicle systems should consider relevant aerospace patent...
The Next Chapter in the Topcon Solar Patent Dispute
Key Takeaway(s): First Solar indicated that it will withdraw its Section 337 complaint relating to TOPCon patents in light of a federal action restricting imports of polysilicon and its derivatives,...
Publications
In Law360 Article, Ben Katzenellenbogen and Fatima Kouadio Propose a Clarification to the Functionality Standard in Design Patents
In a Law360 Expert Analysis piece, Knobbe Martens partner Ben Katzenellenbogen and associate Fatima Kouadio examine the uncertainty surrounding functionality in design patent cases, prompted by the Federal Circuit’s splintered...
How Section 337 Litigants Can Prepare for the Newly Confirmed ITC
Key Takeaway: The Senate has confirmed five new commissioners for the International Trade Commission, giving the agency a full slate of commissioners for the first time in nearly a decade,...
Jeremiah Helm and Sean Murray Examine the Wyeth Decision and the Enablement Requirement in Law360
In the latest column in their monthly Law360 series on recent noteworthy Federal Circuit decisions, Knobbe Martens partners Jeremiah Helm and Sean Murray explore the court’s opinion in Wyeth LLC....
Podcasts
Understanding AI and Patent Eligibility
In this episode of Knobbe IP+, Knobbe Martens partners Jarom Kesler and Bryan McWhorter discuss the latest developments in AI and patent eligibility. Sharing insights for both fellow IP practitioners and...
The Biggest Patent Cases of 2026 So Far: The Federal Circuit Tackles Patentability
Following their discussion on the Supreme Court’s consequential decision in Hikma v. Amarin, Knobbe Martens partners Jeremiah Helm and Carol Pitzel Cruz continue their exploration of the biggest patent cases...
The Biggest Patent Cases of 2026 So Far: ANDA Litigation at the Supreme Court
In this episode of IP+ with Knobbe Martens, Jeremiah Helm, Co-Chair of Knobbe Martens’ Appellate Litigation practice, and Carol Pitzel Cruz, Co-Chair of the firm’s Hatch-Waxman Litigation practice, discuss one...
Life Science Update | September 2026
Shared Function, Not Shared Structure: Ex parte Chowdhury and the Improper Markush Grouping Rejection Jane Dai, Ph.D. A Markush group of structurally dissimilar biomolecules is proper if the specification describes...
Energy Update | September 2026
Battery Recycling Patent Filings Are Surging. So Why Is Patenting the Recycled Material So Difficult? Maria V. Stout & Paul Spiel Battery recycling patent applications are surging. However, successfully prosecuting these...
Aerospace Update | September 2026
Hosted Payloads and Exceptions to Patent Protection Under the U.S. Space Act Sashank Krothapally Companies relying on the U.S. Space Act for patent protection of inventions in orbit should be...
Presentations
Is Your IP Ready? Navigating IP Challenges for Commercial-Stage Technologies in Due Diligence and M&A
Presenting as part of an LSI ’26 panel, Knobbe Martens partners Kregg Koch and Sabing Lee joined fellow panelists to explore the complexities of intellectual property management for commercial-stage technologies in the medtech industry, and the...
4th Annual MCLE-a-thon: How to Acquire & Enforce Non‑Traditional Marks
As part of the firm’s 4th annual MCLE‑a‑thon, Rosaleen Chou and Jacob Rosenbaum explore strategies for acquiring, protecting, and enforcing non‑traditional trademarks, including trade dress, color, sound, and other unconventional...
4th Annual MCLE-a-thon: IP in Action: Top 10 Patent, Trademark & Copyright Cases of 2025
As part of the firm’s 4th annual MCLE‑a‑thon, partners Jared Bunker and Lynda Zadra‑Symes review the most significant patent, trademark, and copyright decisions of 2025. The presentation covers key developments...
