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New USPTO Design Patent “Bar” to be Created in 2024

LexBlog IP

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) is amending the rules of practice in patent cases by creating a separate space for individuals with educational backgrounds in design-related disciplines to qualify to practice before the USPTO in the limited capacity of design patent application proceedings.

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Seeking Clarity on Comparison Prior Art: Seirus Petitions Supreme Court in Heat Wave Design Patent Dispute

Patently-O

by Dennis Crouch Seirus has petitioned for writ of certiorari in its long-running design patent dispute with Columbia Sportswear. Questions presented: When looking for comparison prior art, is the article’s function relevant in any way? Must the comparison prior art be the “same article” as claimed?

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LKQ Corporation v. GM Global Tech: Design Patent En Banc

Patently-O

by Dennis Crouch On Monday, February 5, 2024, the Federal Circuit will sit together for the first time in years to hear an en banc patent case. GM Global Technology Operations LLC , the court will consider whether to apply a more stringent obviousness test to design patents. Teleflex also applies to design patents.

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Other Barks and Bites, January 5, 2024: USPTO Leadership Changes, Electronic Correction Certificates, Design Patent Bar Open for Applicants

IP Watchdog

In other barks and bites for the first week of 2024, there were several updates from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including recent leadership moves, a U.S.

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Federal Circuit to Decide Whether KSR Applies to Design Patents

LexBlog IP

1] LKQ, an auto parts repair vendor for GM, successfully petitioned for inter partes review of GM’s design patent for a front fender design, [2] arguing it was anticipated by a prior art reference (Lain) and obvious over Lian alone or in combination with a brochure for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. GM Global Tech.

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‘Where Are the Designers on This?’: Some Post-Argument Thoughts on LKQ v. GM

IP Watchdog

On February 5, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) held its en banc oral argument to reconsider the obviousness test for design patents. Overall, the many judges’ questions indicated a hesitancy to change the current law, as they expressed concern with positions advanced by the patent challenger.

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CIPO Fees to Increase by 25% in 2024 and Expansion of the Definition of “Small Entity”

Canadian Intellectual Property Blog

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (“CIPO”) has announced that effective January 1, 2024, most official fees will be increasing by 25%. On the patent side, the increase in the fees will be applicable to standard entity size. Thus, small entity patent applicants will only experience CIPO’s regular annual fee increase in 2024.