Jessica M. Karmasek News
Patent licensing company launches campaign against demand letters
PLANO, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A Texas-based patent licensing company is taking aim at "extortionist" demand letters sent by so-called patent "trolls."
Federal Circuit rules against Acacia subsidiary in case over 'device profile' patent
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled last week that a device profile patent asserted by the subsidiary of one of the country's leading licensing companies is invalid.
Missouri governor signs patent troll bill into law
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Last week, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law a bill aimed at combating so-called patent "trolls."Nixon signed Senate Bill 706 in an effort to protect state businesses and residents from "being preyed upon" by trolls, he said. The new law prohibits bad faith assertions of patent infringement. NixonIn particular, it creates a seven-factor test for courts to
Head of IP bar association steps down
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The head of the 17,000-member American Intellectual Property Law Association is stepping down.
Companies form new cooperative patent licensing agreement
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A group of companies last week announced the formation of a cooperative patent licensing agreement, saying it would cut down on patent troll litigation and the "growing practice" of patent privateering.
U.S. SC overrules Federal Circuit again; this time, in case over direct infringement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that a defendant is not liable for inducing infringement of a patent when no one has "directly infringed" the patent.
House panel approves proposed bill aimed at abusive demand letters
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A House panel has approved a draft of a bill that would rein in abusive patent demand letters.
Leahy blames Reid -- and trial lawyers -- for failure of patent reform bill
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy is blaming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for the failure of his patent reform bill.
U.S. SC shoots down Federal Circuit's test in case over broad patent claims
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court last month overruled the federal court in charge of handling all U.S. patent appeals, rejecting its test for determining whether a patent claim is sufficiently "definite."
Patent reform legislation sidelined; Leahy hopes bill will be taken up again this year
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - At least one piece of federal legislation aimed at combating so-called patent "trolls" will have to wait until later this year.
Microsoft, Canon sign patent agreement
REDMOND, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Microsoft Corp. and Canon Inc., the camera and printer maker, announced last week they have signed a patent cross-licensing agreement.
U.S. SC rules software patents, drawn to 'patent-ineligible abstract idea,' are invalid
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that some software method and system patents are invalid.
Teva settles patent litigation with Pfizer over generic of Celebrex
JERUSALEM (Legal Newsline) -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the world's largest maker of generic medications, announced Thursday that its U.S. subsidiary has entered into a settlement with Pfizer Inc. over Teva's generic version of Celebrex.
Patent troll bill sent to Tenn. governor's desk; could be signed into law by month's end
NASHVILLE (Legal Newsline) -- Tennessee lawmakers this week sent legislation allowing any state business or resident to sue if threatened by a so-called "patent troll" to Gov. Bill Haslam.
Vermont AG, others call for action on patent 'demand letters'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell was among those who urged federal lawmakers last week to take steps to address the growing issue of unfair and deceptive patent "demand letters."
Medical device manufacturer settles patent dispute with Pitt
PITTSBURGH (Legal Newsline) -- A California-based medical device manufacturer has agreed to pay the University of Pittsburgh $35 million to settle patent litigation over a university patent for radiotherapy equipment.
Inventors fear effects of patent litigation reform
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Eb Bright knows a thing or two about patents.
Federal judge grants stay in patent infringement case against Target over maternity pants
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) -- A federal judge has agreed to stay a patent infringement lawsuit against Target Corp.
Idaho governor signs patent troll bill into law; New Hampshire working on its own
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) -- Idaho now has its own patent law on the books.