Banner Witcoff

On November 19, 2024, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced its final rule to update its patent fee schedule effective January 19, 2025. While most of the fees increase by a standard 7.5% adjustment, the increase in particular fees is significant. Further, new fees will be assessed for common practices in U.S. patent prosecution. The…

Banner Witcoff’s Binal Patel will join the ChIPs Network panel, Outstanding Male Allies Advancing Women, on Thursday, December 5, from 11:15 to 12:15 PST. The panel will discuss how male allies can strategically advance women in their organizations. Find more information about the ChIPs Network by clicking here. Details about the webinar can be found…

Banner Witcoff’s Richard Stockton will join David Gerk from the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs to discuss efforts toward harmonized industrial design protection at the agency’s 17th Annual Design Day on Thursday, May 9, from 1:10 to 1:55 p.m. EST in Alexandria, Virginia. Together, they will present “The Design Law Treaty: Continued Steps…

By Jay Bombien and Joe McCollum So, what’s new at the PTAB? The Director vacating institution decision for improper § 325(d) analysis, re-using references applied to canceled claims, expert testimony parroting Petitioner’s arguments, and more! Back to the patent drawing board: when similar isn’t quite the same! Nokia of America Corp. v. Alexander Soto et…

In an article published for Law360, Richard Stockton analyzes the recent Supreme Court decision in Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International Inc. In the article, Richard outlines how the ruling may make trademark enforcement in U.S. courts against foreign infringers more complicated, but still keeps options open. Read his full article by clicking here.

Banner Witcoff recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by celebrating the stories and inventions of four notable AANHPI inventors who changed our world. Peter Tsai, Ph.D. – Inventor of the N95 respirator Peter Tsai, Ph.D. came to the United States from Taiwan in 1981 to study at Kansas State University where…

Banner Witcoff has awarded three law students the Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship. Created to strengthen diversity and inclusion in intellectual property law, the Fellowship provides recipients with $5,000 for law school tuition or other school-related expenses. The Donald W. Banner Diversity Fellowship is open to law students who identify as members of a historically…

Banner Witcoff’s Robert Katz will participate as a panelist in a Strafford CLE webinar on Tuesday, March 14 from 1 – 2:30 pm EDT. Robert and his co-panelists will guide patent counsel on the enforcement of design patent rights in their presentation “Design Patent Enforcement: Best Practices, Due Diligence Considerations, Strategies During Prosecution, and Maximizing…

Banner Witcoff’s Rob Katz and Mercedes Meyer have been recognized as 2023 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. Both Rob and were “Highly Recommended” by IAM Patent 1000 for their prosecution work. Rob was also…

Banner Witcoff attorney Kirk Sigmon will present at IP Service World in Munich, Germany on Monday, November 21. Kirk’ presentation, titled “Getting the Most Out of Your Prior Art Searches,” will explore the best practices of conducting a productive art search. Kirk and his co-presenter, Joni Sayeler, CEO of Uppdragshuset Sverige AB, will provide attendees…