Knobbe News
Jonathan Menkes Comments on UGG Trade Dress Ruling in World Trademark Review
Knobbe Martens Sports and Gaming Practice co-chair Jonathan Menkes was recently quoted in World Trademark Review discussing a U.S. district court decision finding that certain UGG boot designs lack protectable...
Sheila Swaroop Comments on USPTO Memo on U.S. Manufacturing Factors in AIA Reviews
In the Law360 article “Manufacturing Factor Adds More New Twists to AIA Cases,” Knobbe Martens partner Sheila Swaroop weighed in on the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office’s latest memo regarding...
Knobbe Martens Guides Edwards Lifesciences to Complete Victory in Patent Infringement Dispute
IRVINE, Calif., March 16, 2026 – A team from Knobbe Martens secured a complete defensive victory for Edwards Lifesciences in a patent dispute with Aortic Innovations involving Edwards’ lifesaving transcatheter...
Blogs
Corresponding Structure for a Means-Plus-Function Limitation Need Only Perform the Claimed Function, Not Other Unclaimed Functions
Richard Gramm, et al. v. Deere & Company Before Lourie, Reyna, and Cunningham. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa Summary: Disclosure of an additional function...
Conflict of Interest Does Not Automatically Extinguish Attorney-Client Privilege
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK v. GEN DIGITAL INC.; QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN, LLP Before Dyk, Prost, and Reyna. Appeal from the United...
Software Claims Failed Alice Step One Where Purported Improvements Were Not Claimed
TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY v. GEN DIGITAL INC. Before Dyk, Prost, and Reyna. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Summary: Software claims were directed...
Publications
USPTO Director to Consider U.S. Manufacturing and Small Business Status When Instituting or Denying IPR and PGR Petitions
Key Takeaways Effective immediately, the USPTO will consider whether a patent challenger’s accused products or a patent owner’s products are manufactured in the United States as additional factors in the...
USPTO’s Supplemental Guidance on Design Patents for Computer-Generated Interfaces and Icons
Key Takeaway: The USPTO has revised its design patent guidance to better reflect evolving digital interface technologies, including projections and augmented or virtual reality environments. The updated guidance provides design...
USPTO Joins DOJ in Supporting Permanent Injunctions for NPEs
Key Takeaway: The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office doubles down on its current pro-patentee stance by filing a statement of interest in district court, arguing that permanent injunctions should be...
Podcasts
AI and Copyright: Navigating the Legal Maze with Liz Rothman
In this episode of Knobbe IP+, Knobbe Martens partner Mark Lezama is joined by attorney and emerging technology advisor Liz Rothman to discuss the complex topic of artificial intelligence and...
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...
Building Bridges: How Patent Pathways is Shaping a Diverse IP Future
In this episode of the Knobbe IP+ podcast, Knobbe Martens Chief Diversity & Talent Development Officer Terra Davis speaks with guest Elaine Spector, Harrity & Harrity partner and Advisory Board...
PTAB Update | February 2026
Challenged Director-To-PTAB Instructions Did Not Require Notice-And-Comment Rulemaking Ari Feinstein & Jacob S. Etling Challenged instructions that the PTO’s Director gave to the PTAB regarding discretionary denial of inter partes...
Aerospace Update | February 2026
The Next Era of Aerospace Advancement: AI Optimizing Operations, Safety, and Strategy T. Tyler Golian & Vlad Teplitskiy AI has become a buzzword synonymous with transformation, revolution, and innovation. Some industries are...
Federal Circuit Review | February 2026
February Federal Circuit Newsletter (Japanese) February Federal Circuit Newsletter (Chinese) Conceptual Similarity Does Not Go Arm in Arm with Substantial Similarity In Range Of Motion Products, LLC v. Armaid...
Presentations
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...
4th Annual MCLE-a-thon: Multifaceted Discrimination in the Legal Community: Intersectionality of Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation
As part of the firm’s 4th annual MCLE‑a‑thon, partner Jeff Van Hoosear and Chief Diversity & Talent Development Officer Terra Davis examine the concept of intersectionality and its impact within...
