In 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a significant change affecting trademark applicants and registrants outside the United States. The requirement mandates that all foreign-domiciled trademark applicants and registrants must be represented by a U.S. licensed attorney. This shift in policy has important implications for trademark attorneys practicing internationally, as it […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
Balancing Innovation and Accuracy: The Role of LLMs in Patent Research and Legal Practice
In this new age of generative AI and large language models (LLMs), we are quickly learning what tasks benefit from this new tool and what tasks are harmed by it. The legal community, and seemingly the world at large, watched with grim curiosity as New York attorneys were reprimanded for using ChatGPT to draft a […]
USPTO Unveils Major Fee Overhaul for 2025: New Charges and Increases to Impact Patent Prosecution Strategies
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is set to implement a significant overhaul of its fee structure for the fiscal year 2025. This move, aimed at optimizing the service provided to American innovators, includes the introduction of new fees and an increase in existing ones. These fee increases could alter prosecution and timing […]
Accelerate Your IP Strategy: Leveraging PatentScope API and Automated Document Assembly for US Patent Applications
In today’s highly competitive global business landscape, protecting intellectual property rights is crucial for companies looking to maintain their edge. Expanding your patent portfolio to include the United States is a strategic move, but the process can be complex and resource-intensive. In-house intellectual property counsel located outside the United States can gain a significant advantage […]
International Patent Application Strategies
There are different standards in the United States regarding what is patentable and not compared to foreign jurisdictions, notably in the Japanese and European Patent offices. The decision to pursue foreign protection is not just about what markets you are interested in but also about the viability of getting protection in those markets. In the […]
USPTO Proposes New Fee Adjustments
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released a Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would increase many USPTO Fees. The stated purpose of the fee increases is to recover the costs incurred by the USPTO in carrying out its mandate. The USPTO performed a Regulatory Impact Analysis that “did not identify any […]
Widerman Malek Joins the Global Legal Blockchain Consortium
Widerman Malek, PL has joined the Global Legal Blockchain Consortium (GLBC), a global network comprised of approximately 125 large companies, law firms, software companies, and universities that have joined together to develop standards to govern the use of blockchain technology in the law. The consortium enables experts in both legal requirements and industry needs to […]
Equifax Breach – Did They Fail to Comply with GLBA?
As is now widely reported, Equifax, a consumer credit reporting agency, suffered a data breach of staggering proportion. In the race to fully comprehend the ramifications of this breach, it’s worthwhile to consider what specific legal requirements Equifax must comply with when it comes to maintaining the secrecy of sensitive personal information. One law that […]
Pierron Receives Distinguished International Association of Privacy Professionals Certification
Attorney Dan Pierron has received the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)’s Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) designation. The CIPP/US is given only after an individual has demonstrated their knowledge of both broad global and specific regional or sectoral concepts of privacy and data protection law and practice.
Lee Resigns; Matal Appointed Acting Director of USPTO
In the day following Michelle Lee’s resignation as Director of the USPTO, Joseph Matal was announced as Acting Director.
