Jim Bikoff  appeared on the latest  World Trademark Review podcast where he discussed issues surrounding the Washington Redskins’ name and examined the past, present and future of the NFL team’s brand. 

Four years ago, the Supreme Court tried, in Global-Tech Appliances v. SEB, to clarify what it takes to prove “intent” to induce patent infringement. The case considered whether a party, in order to “actively [induce] infringement of a patent” under 35 U.S.C. §271(b), must know that the induced act constitutes patent infringement. In an 8–1 decision delivered by Justice Alito, the Court held that induced infringement under §271(b) requires knowledge that the induced acts constitute patent infringement. The Court further held that this “knowledge” requirement can be met by showing “willful blindness” by the defendant – that the defendant (1) “subjectively believe[s]… Read more

Helferich Patent Licensing, LLC filed a patent infringement suit against New York Times Co., CBS Corporation and other content providers alleging infringement of its patents that relate to wireless handsets and related communication methods. Helferich had licensed its portfolio to essentially all handset makers selling in the U.S., but the licenses expressly carved-out activity by “content providers” stating that the licenses did not grant any rights to content providers to practice the claimed methods. The accused infringers/content providers successfully argued patent exhaustion in the district court – that the power of the patent is ‘exhausted’ by the first authorized sale…. Read more

Sponsored by the International Trademark Association, the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition is an annual event and approximately 80 teams of law students participate in the competition each year. Students write a brief and argue the case in regional and national competitions before a panel of volunteer lawyers, judges and members of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.  At the regional competition held in Atlanta on February 7, 2015, Joyce Klemmer, a Partner in SGR’s Intellectual Property section in Atlanta served as a judge in the competition.  Partner Elizabeth Borland and Associate Courtney Adams reviewed and graded briefs that were submitted… Read more

Georgia Lawyers for the Arts and the Intellectual Property Sections of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Bar Association are collaborating with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to establish an innovative pro bono program to assist inventors in need of legal counsel. Local innovation supports the local economy, and this program will help ensure Georgia’s inventors have the legal protection they need to thrive. SGR is proud to be a Founding Benefactor of this innovative pro bono program. Joyce Klemmer and Gibson Lanier, both members of the Atlanta Bar Association IP Section Board, also serve on the Advisory Committee of… Read more