Patentably Defined

JANUARY 31, 2013

As regular readers of this blog know, I advocate using the USPTO’s Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) as primary authority during prosecution. This is by no means a per se rule, however. There are times when I find judicial authority more effective. One situation where judicial decisions have been particularly helpful has been when prosecuting claims directed to a “simple” (i.e., “elegant”) solution to a problem.

Invention 40

Invention Blogging Licensing Patent 40

Greenspoon Marder LLP

JANUARY 6, 2013

By: Sharon Urias, Esq. In a 2-1 ruling last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s decision that allows Disney to retain trademark ownership rights to Winnie-the-Pooh. The battle over who has ownership of Winnie-the-Pooh has been going on for more than twenty years between Disney and the Slesinger family. Stephen Slesinger was granted exclusive merchandising rights to Winnie-the Pooh characters back in the 1930’s by Pooh’s creator, A.A.

Ownership 40

Ownership Trademark Licensing Patent 40