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Public-Use Bar: What Startups Need to Know

IP Watchdog

Many startups are aware of how the on-sale bar interacts with these pressures and the associated need to file patent applications on any technology prior to offering or placing it on sale. However, fewer startups are aware of the public-use bar and how activities pursued with the goal of growing their businesses may unwittingly invoke it.

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Patent Law Canons and Canards: Bonito Boats

Patently-O

For our patent law course today, the students read the Justice O’Connor unanimous opinion in Bonito Boats, Inc. The Florida courts had refused to enforce the law because it conflicted with Federal Patent Law. The Florida courts had refused to enforce the law because it conflicted with Federal Patent Law. 141 (1989).

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Functional Medical Device Demonstrated at Trade Show Trigged On Sale Bar of pre-AIA 102(b)

LexBlog IP

9,186,208 on surgical devices for a procedure called endometrial ablation were anticipated under the public use bar of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § The Federal Circuit then pointed out that at the time of the public use, the technology was “ready for patenting.” Hologic, Inc., § 102(b).

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Celanese v. ITC: Can a Secret Manufacturing Process Be Patented After Sale of the Resulting Product?

Patently-O

by Dennis Crouch The Federal Circuit held oral arguments on March 4, 2024 in the important patent case of Celanese Int’l. The question: Under the AIA, does sale of a product by the patent applicant prohibit the patentee from later patenting the process used to make the product? v ITC , 22-1827 (Fed. Compare D.L.

Patent 40
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Can You Patent Your Idea?

LexBlog IP

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grants patents to inventions every day. Not every application succeeds in becoming a granted patent, though. Important requirements must be met in order for an invention to be patented. Usefulness: This is a low bar to meet, fortunately.

Patent 40
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Never too late: if you missed the IPKat last week

The IPKat

Patents Benjamin unpacked a patent royalties dispute between the University of Oxford and a student inventor, where the English High Court explained which categories of students should be treated as consumers for the purposes of consumer protection law, and why. We can’t believe it’s already February.

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Guest Post by Profs. Masur & Ouellette: Public Use Without the Public Using

Patently-O

What is it that makes a usepublic” for purposes of the public use bar? Does it matter whether the person doing the using is a member of the public, as opposed to the inventor? Or does it matter whether the use is itself in public, as opposed to taking place in secret behind closed doors?