Archive for 2007
New Patent Office Rule Changes
The patent office is working towards implementing changes in its rules for limiting continuations and number of claims examined. The final version of the changed rules will be available in the Federal Register which will be published after a few days. Excerpt from the internal e-mail – OMB Approves Claims and Continuation Changes On July 9, 2007, the Office of Management and Budget concluded... Read More
Improper Double Patenting leads to Patent Invalidation
The importance of following proper rules and procedures in the filing of patents cannot be overemphasized. Even tiny mistakes can lead to patent invalidation. The Patent Prospector highlights a particular case where ‘double patenting’ finally led to invalidation of both patents. An excerpt from the post: Toprol-XL® is a drug used to treat heart-related malfunctions. A... Read More
NASA Medical Patents Bring Servicemen to Their Feet
A Secure Ambulation Mode (S.A.M.) physical therapy device is being used by Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C., to help patients recover from traumatic spinal cord and brain injuries. Technology for Today reports that S.A.M. is based on a technology developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The patents were licensed from NASA by Enduro Medical Technology (East Hartford, CT), whic... Read More
Patent Reform Act of 2007 to Put Brakes on Frivolous Patents
Recently, the Patent Reform Act of 2007 was approved by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. It closely tracks a similar bill passed by the Senate Committee last week. This acquires added significance in light of the fact that numerous companies had put forward a series of complaints concerning an increase in the number of frivolous patents in recent years. Sen. Patrick Leahy informed that infringe... Read More
Drafting Medical Device Patents Requires Grasp of Technical Vocabulary
Can getting a single letter of the alphabet wrong in an issued patent spell disaster when it comes to litigating against infringers? Unless the mistake is seen as being a minor typographical error that can be corrected by filing a certificate of correction, the answer is a resounding yes. Hats off to Peter Zura of The 271 Patent Blog for his post on Central Admixure Pharmacy Servic... Read More
