The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is accepting requests for prioritized examination of up to 500 qualifying patent applications that include at least one or more claims to a product or process related to COVID-19 under the COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program. If an application is selected for this pilot program, the USPTO will not require payment of the fee for prioritized examination set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(c) or the accompanying processing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(i)(1).

The pandemic—and shift to remote work—is speeding up a shift that has been years in the making.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently published a study titled "Adjusting to Alice" that provides the results of an examination of patent examination outcomes after the Supreme Court’s decision in Alice. This study found that recent efforts by the USPTO to provide greater clarity to issues regarding subject matter eligibility have been effective in decreasing uncertainty.

The IndyBar exists to serve members of the legal profession, and through our members we serve the community. Lawyers are problem-solvers, defenders of the rule of law. We spend our days seeking to improve the lives of our clients and our communities. We have an opportunity and a privilege to help. 

In a recent decision, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that trademark owners can recover profits from an alleged infringer even if the trademark infringement was not willful. Read our analysis on the case, including our key takeaways and why it has potential to change litigation strategies for both plaintiffs and defendants alike in trademark infringement cases.

Recently, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Allen v. Cooper, holding that Congress did not have the authority to revoke the sovereign immunity of states from copyright infringement lawsuits. While the result is disappointing and problematic in its practical effect, the U.S. Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) also sees some positive aspects to the decision and the concurrence of Justices Breyer and Ginsburg.

After years of litigation, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the lower court’s entry of judgment in favor of Led Zeppelin—a jury finding that Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” did not infringe Randy Wolfe’s song “Taurus” performed by the band Spirit. In May 2014, Randy Wolfe’s estate sued Led Zeppelin for copyright infringement alleging the opening notes of “Stairway to Heaven” infringed an eight measure passage from Wolfe’s song “Taurus.”

I am hopeful that something good can and will emerge from our shared ordeal  It is with this in mind that I’m excited to announce a new social media campaign started by the Women and the Law Division Executive Committee – Find the Good. The goal of this campaign is to highlight IndyBar members who are finding good in life during this extraordinary time.

During this extraordinary time and beyond, the IndyBar is committed to bringing you the information, tools and resources you need to stay informed, stay connected and succeed in the legal profession.

During this challenging time, the IndyBar is dedicated to making many of our services, resources and tools available to members online so that you can keep thriving in your practice, even from home!