Banner Witcoff

Banner Witcoff is proud to be recognized in the 2027 Best Law Firms guide for excellence in intellectual property (IP) litigation, patent litigation, and patent law. In Chicago, the firm received the highest regional rankings for IP litigation, patent litigation, and patent law. Nationally, Banner Witcoff is highly ranked for IP litigation, patent litigation, and…

Banner Witcoff is pleased to announce that the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) has awarded the firm both the 2026 Compass Award and the 2026 Top Performer designation. The Compass Award recognizes organizations that take an active role across LCLD: the Managing Partner or General Counsel engages directly, and the organization selects both a…

Banner Witcoff’s Robert Katz and Mercedes Meyer, Ph.D., have been recognized as 2027 IAM Global Leaders. According to IAM’s website, to qualify for IAM Global Leaders, individuals must be ranked in the gold tier of the IAM Patent 1000. Rob and Mercedes were “Highly Recommended” by IAM Patent 1000 for their prosecution work. Additionally, Rob was recognized for his design…

By Erik Maurer and Sydney Huppert New packaging rules present opportunities to create brand-distinguishing space from competitors. As companies plan for new packages, they should make intellectual property protections—design patents, in particular—part of their process. The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) took effect on August 12, 2026, with key reforms targeted for 2030.…

Eric Hamp is a new “Global Fellow” in the Federal Circuit Bar Association. The selective group includes 24 attorneys, who will focus both on policy issues and practical lessons on the operation of patent systems in the United States and Europe. The program will consist of two sessions: the DC session from November 3-6, 2026,…

Banner Witcoff is pleased to share that nine of the firm’s attorneys are recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch. The following Banner Witcoff attorneys are included in the Best Lawyers published guide: Best Lawyers: John Iwanicki: Boston, Patent Law Timothy Meece: Chicago,…

By Brad Van Pelt and Sarah Meece The Federal Circuit has issued its decision in Jacki Easlick, LLC v. AccEncyc US, Nos. 2024-1538, 2024-1826 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 14, 2026). Writing for the panel of Judges Dyk, Schall and Prost, Judge Prost affirmed the Western District of Pennsylvania’s denial of a preliminary injunction and its denial of…

On August 11, 2026, the Federal Circuit denied a petition for rehearing en banc in Range of Motion Products, LLC v. Armaid Co.  (An overview of the Federal Circuit opinion at issue can be found here). The Federal Circuit declined to revisit two pillars of design patent infringement law: whether the “plainly dissimilar”/”sufficiently distinct” language…

By Andy Kim and Henry Millar So, what’s happening at the PTAB?  Claim constructions of “first” and “second,” a delegated director review decision vacating a prior Board decision based on a jury verdict, inconsistent claim constructions, and more! First. Second. Different? Not necessarily. Apple Inc. v. MemoryWeb, LLC, PGR2022-00006, Paper 51 (July 8, 2026) (Repko,…

By Jackson Lamb and Craig Kronenthal So, what’s happening at the PTAB?  The effects of Phillips vs BRI constructions, written description and enablement issues, relying on YouTube as prior art, and more! Lost under BRI? Phillips gives you another try. Røde Microphones, LLC v. Zaxcom, Inc., IPR2025-00230, Paper 74 (June 11, 2026) (Quinn, joined by Arbes and Belisle). Previous IPRs…