Banner Witcoff

On June 18, 2014, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in Blackhorse v. Pro Football, Inc., that six federal registrations for trademarks that include the term “Redskins” must be cancelled because they are disparaging to Native Americans when used in relation to professional football services. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Pro…

The American Bar Association has invited Richard S. Stockton to discuss intellectual property rights and copyrights with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. This selective program focuses on “American Libraries” and includes 17 library professionals and academics from around the world. They will examine the role and functions of libraries and information…

U.S. Supreme Court Says Induced Infringement Requires Direct Infringement, But Leaves Direct Infringement Standard to Federal Circuit By H. Wayne Porter In a decision dated June 2, 2014, in the case Limelight Networks, Inc. v. Akamai Technologies, Inc. (No. 12-786), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a defendant is not liable for induced patent infringement…

U.S. Supreme Court Clarifies Definiteness Standard By Paul M. Rivard Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Nautilus, Inc. v. Biosig Instruments, Inc. involving the definiteness requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (b). The patent at issue relates to a heart rate monitor capable of measuring the heartbeat of an individual while exercising…

Federal court rules in favor of Banner & Witcoff client NIKE, Inc., in "Fuel" trademark dispute

Steve S. Chang discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Limelight v. Akamai in Law360

Aseet Patel discusses how to quickly file high-quality patent applications in Law360

John P. Iwanicki discusses cancer drug patent dispute in Chemical & Engineering News

Supreme Court Allows Copyright Action, Holds No Laches Defense By Ernest V. Linek Yesterday, in Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. (No. 12-1315), the Supreme Court ruled that the doctrine of laches could not be invoked to bar a copyright claim that was brought within the statutorily allowed three-year window from a particular act of infringement —…

Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., a national intellectual property law firm dedicated to the procurement, enforcement and litigation of intellectual property rights throughout the world, welcomes seven summer associates to the firm. The following law students will join Banner & Witcoff’s Chicago and Washington, D.C., offices as summer associates: Brian Apel, Chicago, University of Michigan Law…