Ericsson v Apple explodes; Samsung sued by ex-IP head; AZN’s monetisation masterclass; Krall leaves Apple; EPO and UKIPO AI patentability contrasts; plus much more
Everything we covered on IAM over the last seven days – and all you need to know from the global IP market to set yourself up for the start of another busy week
The Long Read
There are many IP issues for the creators and buyers of NFTs to grapple with. Sullivan & Cromwell’s Nader Mousavi, Mehdi Ansari, Jay Thornton and Jonathan Hofman explore the legal and regulatory challenges of working inside the metaverse. Read more here
MONDAY 17 January
A 'bear trap' in China, ongoing US validity woes and big M&A opportunities around established brands and IP are among the 2022 deal trends to watch, according to leading practitioners. Read more here
While the proposed DOJ/NIST/USPTO SEP licensing framework is good for implementers, it may not be enough to persuade them to pursue FRAND-related cases in the US. Read more here
The Central District of California is the fourth most active patent court in the US. Here are 10 key insights into its workings that emerged from an IAM deep dive into Docket Navigator data. Read more here
TUESDAY 18 January
Ericsson has launched patent infringement suits against Apple in the Western District of Texas after the expiration of the two companies’ 2015 licensing deal. Read more here
There are important ways in which the European and the UK patent offices differ when assessing the patentability of AI inventions. Read more here
Thanks to Moderna’s pledge not to enforce its covid-related patents, the WHO’s African vaccine hub is enjoying remarkable success in its efforts to replicate the company’s mRNA-1273 jab. Read more here
WEDNESDAY 19 January
The Japanese government is contemplating measures for paying the country’s companies to keep sensitive patents secret as part of new economic security legislation. Read more here
The USPTO continued feeling the impact of the covid-19 pandemic in its 2021 fiscal year with fewer patent applications and slower processing times. However, its financial situation looks strong. Read more here
Expanding your understanding of what an IP strategy win looks like and keeping track of the bigger picture are key to coming out ahead. Read more here
THURSDAY 20 January
Major Taiwan-based tech companies have revealed new patent monetisation efforts in recent months, suggesting that they are exploring ways to boost returns on IP investments. Read more here
The US Supreme Court has refused to review Mylan and Apple challenges to the USPTO’s NHK-Fintiv policy on discretionary denials in PTAB cases. Read more here
An ITC case filed yesterday by Apple makes clear that it wants its patent licensing dispute with Ericsson to centre on the US court system, rather than venues where injunctions are an issue. Read more here
FRIDAY 21 January
Samsung Electronics is facing an unlikely opponent in ongoing US patent litigation – its own former head of IP. Read more here
By farming out non-core innovations, AstraZeneca has become an exemplar of effective patent monetisation in an age of pharma specialisation. Read more here
Noreen Krall, who served as Apple’s chief litigation counsel for more than a decade and helped build its reputation as a fierce courtroom opponent, has left the company. Read more here
SATURDAY 22 January
A mooted Biden Administration China Initiative reset may provide an opportunity for policymakers to channel their concern for US IP competitiveness in a more productive direction. Read more here
