Patently-O Bits and Bytes No. 36

• [Not a] Patent Race: IPO released its annualy survey of top utility patent assignees. IBM again leads the way with over 3,000 utility patents issued in 2007. The organization leads the report with the interesting statement: “IPO DOES NOT INTEND TO ENCOURAGE MORE PATENTING IN U.S.”. [LINK]
• Tafas v. Dudas: On May 19, the CAFC released its notice of docketing in the case — starting a 60 day clock for the PTO to submit its opening brief. I expect that they will take the entire time.
• Inter Partes Reexaminations: Joff Wild highlights a new report on PTO Inter Partes Reexaminations: “Without appeal, the average pendency period for inter partes re-exam is 43.5 months, much longer than the 28.5 months reported by the USPTO – a 95% confidence interval would put the pendency between 34 and 53 months….To date, there has never been a single inter partes re-examination that has gone through the entire re-examination process (including appeal) and made it to completion. Only three have ever received a decision by the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.” [LINK][Report][Zura comments]
• MBHB Snippets: In the past, I have published several practice focused articles in MBHB’s Snippets publication. The newest edition is now online. Articles include:
  • Aaron Barkoff, Patent Litigation Under a Future Biosimilars Act
  • Kevin Noonan, Follow-on Biologic Drugs and Patent Law: A Potential Disconnect?
  • Jim McCarthy & Marcia Ireland Rosenfeld, It’s Not Easy Selling Green
  • Benjamin Huber, Seagate: Reports of the Death of Opinions of Counsel Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
  • [Read Snippets]