Banner Witcoff

Inter Partes Reviews – Who Can Get the Big Job Done By Charles W. Shifley Inter partes review (IPR) statistics are fascinating. As of June 30, 2017, and in the 4 years and 10 months since they became available, 6,577 IPR petitions have been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In fiscal…

Richard S. Stockton, the former national chair of the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition, comments on the importance of the annual competition for law students in a new International Trademark Association video. According to INTA, the competition introduces law students to important issues arising in U.S. trademark and unfair competition law. Approximately 80 teams of law…

Joseph M. Skerpon was featured as a “Legal Lion” for his successful representation of Honeywell International Inc., in, “Law360’s Weekly Verdict: Legal Lions & Lambs.” On August 1, the Federal Circuit vacated a Patent Trial and Appeal Board decision that found Honeywell’s patent for an air conditioner refrigerant invalid. Mr. Skerpon assisted Gregg F. LoCascio, William H. Burgess and Noah Samuel…

Darrell G. Mottley, the chair of the D.C. Bar Global Legal Practice Task Force and former D.C. Bar president, comments on the task force’s recommendation to amend D.C. Court of Appeals Rule 46 and expand opportunities for foreign-educated attorneys in the August issue of Washington Lawyer. The Global Legal Practice Task Force proposes amendments to…

Banner & Witcoff was recognized by Managing Intellectual Property for filing 44 inter partes review petitions on behalf of client Comcast Corp. in the first half of 2017. This was the most IPR petitions filed by a law firm during this period. According to MIP, Comcast filed the IPR petitions in response to Rovi suing Comcast in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern…

Joseph J. Berghammer discusses why client YETI Coolers’ Rambler tumblers are distinctive and should be protectable in the Bloomberg BNA article, “Yeti Enforces Trade Dress Over Rambler Cups as IPO Looms.” Click here to read the article. A subscription is required.

Banner & Witcoff was recognized by Law360 for representing client NIKE, Inc., in inter partes review brought by Skechers USA against seven of NIKE’s patents covering sneaker designs. The PTAB rejected Skechers’ request for review of five of NIKE’s patents. Click here to read the Law360 article. A subscription is required.  

Darrell G. Mottley comments on his work as president of the D.C. Bar in The George Washington University Law School article on alumni who have shaped the organization in various ways. Mr. Mottley, who served as president from 2011-2012, supported the organization’s first blog, DC Bar Voices, as well as its pro bono efforts with…

Joseph M. Potenza is featured in the National Law Journal’s 2017 “Intellectual Property Trailblazers,” a special issue that recognizes leading attorneys who have made their mark on practice, policy and technological advancements in intellectual property. Mr. Potenza was recognized for his 40-plus-year involvement with the American Bar Association, where he currently serves in the House…

Banner & Witcoff was recognized by Law360 as one of the law firms filing the most trademark lawsuits over the second quarter of 2017. Click here to read the article, “The Firms Filing the Most Trademark Cases.” A subscription is required.