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Update on Discovery of Patent Prosecution Communications by Jeffrey Thomas, Anne Brody and Pamela Lee
Portfolio Media. Inc. | 111 West 19th Street, 5th Floor | New York, NY 10011 | www.law360.com Phone: +1 646 783 7100 | Fax: +1 646 783 7161 | [email protected] Update On Discovery Of Patent Prosecution Communications By Jeffrey Thomas, Anne Brody and Pamela Lee Law360, New York (June 20, 2017, 5:19 PM EDT) -- In general, communications between an attorney and his client relating to the filing and prosecution of a patent application are privileged. Last year, the Federal Circuit found that such communications between a patent agent and his client are also privileged.[1] But under the joint attorney-client privilege or the common interest doctrine, communications between attorneys and two or more clients may not be privileged in a later dispute between these clients. This article discusses the challenges that courts and companies continue to face in determining whether a party can access these patent prosecution communications in disputes: (1) between two joint owners; (2) between an employer-owner and an employee- inventor; and (3) with respect to a patent agent, in other Circuits and state courts. Jeffrey Thomas Do Joint Owners Share a Joint Attorney-Client Privilege During Patent Prosecution? When a dispute arises between two joint owners, one owner may seek to access the other owner’s communications with the patent attorney relating to the patent prosecution process. In that case, a court would look at a few factors to decide. One factor would be whether the patent prosecution process was handled by only one attorney (e.g., an in-house attorney), or by two attorneys separately representing the two owners. -
Patent Law: a Handbook for Congress
Patent Law: A Handbook for Congress September 16, 2020 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R46525 SUMMARY R46525 Patent Law: A Handbook for Congress September 16, 2020 A patent gives its owner the exclusive right to make, use, import, sell, or offer for sale the invention covered by the patent. The patent system has long been viewed as important to Kevin T. Richards encouraging American innovation by providing an incentive for inventors to create. Without a Legislative Attorney patent system, the reasoning goes, there would be little incentive for invention because anyone could freely copy the inventor’s innovation. Congressional action in recent years has underscored the importance of the patent system, including a major revision to the patent laws in 2011 in the form of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act. Congress has also demonstrated an interest in patents and pharmaceutical pricing; the types of inventions that may be patented (also referred to as “patentable subject matter”); and the potential impact of patents on a vaccine for COVID-19. As patent law continues to be an area of congressional interest, this report provides background and descriptions of several key patent law doctrines. The report first describes the various parts of a patent, including the specification (which describes the invention) and the claims (which set out the legal boundaries of the patent owner’s exclusive rights). Next, the report provides detail on the basic doctrines governing patentability, enforcement, and patent validity. For patentability, the report details the various requirements that must be met before a patent is allowed to issue. -
Attorney-Client Privilege and the Patent Prosecution Process in the Post-Spalding World
Washington University Law Review Volume 81 Issue 1 2003 Attorney-Client Privilege and the Patent Prosecution Process in the Post-Spalding World Jonathan G. Musch Washington University School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_lawreview Part of the Evidence Commons, Intellectual Property Law Commons, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Commons, and the Legal Profession Commons Recommended Citation Jonathan G. Musch, Attorney-Client Privilege and the Patent Prosecution Process in the Post-Spalding World, 81 WASH. U. L. Q. 175 (2003). Available at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_lawreview/vol81/iss1/5 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Law School at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Law Review by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE AND THE PATENT PROSECUTION PROCESS IN THE POST- SPALDING WORLD I. INTRODUCTION One of the oldest traditions of the Anglo-American judicial system is the concept of attorney-client privilege.1 This privilege and its much younger sibling, the work-product doctrine,2 limit the discoverability of private communications between attorney and client.3 Private communications4 between a patent attorney and a client, however, have not always enjoyed this protection.5 Due to a misconception of the role of a patent attorney within the patent prosecution process, courts denied attorney-client privilege first to all patent prosecution documents, and later to documents containing technical information. This effectively denied the privilege to most documents generated during a prosecution.6 More recently, courts afforded certain documents containing technical information protection, but under a patchwork of different standards.7 Frequently, a disagreement existed between different district courts within a circuit,8 as well as among different circuits.9 The exponential technology 1. -
"Reasonably" Compensate Employee Invento Rs in Japan
By Calvin GRIFFITH, MICHIRU Takahashi & Nobutaka KOMIyAMA bly" Compe ona nsat as e E "Re m o pl t o g ye n e i il In a v F e f n o t o s r l s l i a n f J t i a P p a e N h : T EMPLOYERS BEWARE The United States is generally considered a more litigious paying seven-figure sums in compensation for employee country than Japan, where customs traditionally favor a less inventions, having expected that the compensation provided confrontational approach to dispute resolution. But there is in the ordinary employment contract or internal employment one exception—employee invention lawsuits. A recent series regulations would be accepted by courts as reasonable. of lawsuits filed by aggrieved employee inventors against This stunning development in Japanese courts is based on their employer companies, demanding “reasonable remu- Japan’s unique employee invention system under Article neration” for the employees’ inventions, has brought atten- 35 of the Japan Patent Law, and foreign companies doing tion to this unique area of Japanese patent law—and raised business in Japan, especially those with R&D facilities there, concern in the business community. Japanese companies should be familiar with the provisions of Article 35 and the were shocked to find themselves facing the possibility of case law applying it. 14 orIgIn oF thE FUss—ArtIclE 35 AnD thE olyMPUs CasE be entitled to remuneration based on income from the pat- Article 35 of the Japan Patent law. Japan has a unique ents. Pursuant to those regulations, Olympus acquired a pat- employee invention system under Article 35 of the Patent ent on employee Tanaka’s invention. -
Intellectual Property Outlook: Cases and Trends to Follow in 2012
February 2012 Intellectual Property Outlook: Cases and Trends to Follow in 2012 BY ROBERT M. MASTERS, TAD RICHMAN, & LISA LEUNG I. Introduction In the coming year, we anticipate a series of events and decisions with varying degrees of impact on intellectual property law in the United States and, in turn, the way we advise our clients. This article highlights cases we are monitoring that present, in our view, significant issues relating to various aspects of intellectual property law. Most of these cases are pending appeal at some level, and each has the potential for considerable impact on the landscape of U.S. intellectual property law. A small number of recently decided cases have also been selected for inclusion in this discussion, as it remains to be seen precisely how these decisions will play out in practice over the coming year. Lastly, we take a look at continuing trends in the intellectual property marketplace and review key legislation, including what to expect from the recently enacted America Invents Act. II. Cases to Watch in 2012 A. The Scope of Patentable Subject Matter 1. Medical Diagnostic and Treatment Methods Post-Bilski The Supreme Court heard oral argument in Mayo Collaborative Svcs. v. Prometheus Labs., Inc., No. 10-1150, on December 7, 2011. This is not the first time the Supreme Court has taken on the question of the validity of Prometheus’s asserted method claims. As before, Mayo challenges the Federal Circuit’s holding that Prometheus’s method claims recite patentable subject matter under §101. Unlike before, Mayo’s appeal now derives from a post-Bilski decision below.1 Prometheus is the sole and exclusive licensee of two patents claiming methods for determining the optimal dosage of thiopurine drugs used to treat certain autoimmune diseases. -
The Benefits of Japanese Patent Law System Over Those of the US in the Pharmaceutical Area
The Benefits of Japanese Patent Law System Over those of the US in the Pharmaceutical Area What can we do to maximize the benefits? William Han (GlaxoSmithKline) Japan Patent Attorneys Association International Activities Center 1 “Long Long Time Ago” • Poor Prosecution • Slow, Claim scope narrow if granted at all, claim types not sufficient • Weak Enforcement • Court proceedings took forever; Infringement/damages hard to prove; Damages minimal Regarding Enforcement: October 1994 – US Commissioner of Patents Bruce Lehman: “…the relative nonlitigiousness of Japanese society tends to minimize the importance of enforcement...US citizens holding Japanese patents should be able to rely on those patents more than their US patents…” Circa late 1990’s, JPO Commissioner Tekashi Isayama admitted: “The Japanese market is dishonorably regarded as ‘lenient towards infringement’. It is sometimes said that one may as well infringe whatever patents he likes in Japan, because court proceedings are slow and compensation insignificant” (taken from Mr Shusaku Yamamoto’s post) 2 • Aging population and attendant increase in healthcare cost, Japanese government started to aggressively promote the use of generic drug since 2007 • More numbers: • Sept 2016 – about 60% (by volume) • Japanese government wants to increase the use to 80% in fiscal year 2018-2020! • Patents are the only effective tools available to prevent the entry of generics 3 • Unlike in prior to 2007, opportunity cost of “not getting things right” in Japan could be enormous Comparison Between US v Japanese Patent Term Extension System • Both in Japan and US, if a drug undergoes clinical trial and review period, the patent which covers the drug can be extended up to 5 years. -
Best Mode Disclosure for Patent Applications: an International and Comparative Perspective
Journal of Intellectual Property Rights Vol 16, September 2011, pp 409-417 Best Mode Disclosure for Patent Applications: An International and Comparative Perspective Bingbin Lu† Nanjing University Law School, No 22, Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210 093, China Received 13 June 2011, revised 13 July 2011 The best mode disclosure requirement helps to ensure that the public receives a full and honest disclosure in return for the grant of patent. It has a profound theoretical basis and foundation. The best mode disclosure requirement is an optional obligation under the TRIPS Agreement in its Article 29. Among the most important developed countries that have implemented this disclosure requirement are the US and Japan; however, there are certain differences in their national laws and practices, especially with regard to the legal effect of this requirement. In the US, patent reform is tending towards removing the best mode disclosure from the list of reasons to invalidate a granted patent; although, the requirement will still apply to all patent applications during patent prosecutions. Developing countries are recommended to consider adopting the best mode disclosure requirement in their patent laws. It is proposed that patent applicants be required to disclose the best mode which shall be a substantive condition for patent grant; however, the failure to disclose the best mode may not constitute a reason to invalidate a granted patent. The objective of this article is to study the best mode disclosure requirement from an international and comparative perspective, and suggest how developing countries should implement this disclosure requirement. The article also seeks to answer to two questions: whether a developing country should implement the best mode disclosure requirement, and if so, how to best implement it? Keywords: Patent, best mode, disclosure requirements, TRIPS Agreement Disclosure is one of the key issues in the patent requirement is the first paragraph of Section 112, Title system. -
Exceptions and Limitations to Patent Rights the JPO Would Like to Update Its Reply to the Question 39 of the Questionnaire on Ex
Exceptions and limitations to patent rights The JPO would like to update its reply to the question 39 of the questionnaire on exceptions and limitations to patent rights as follows. (The updated reply to the question 39 ) Article 79bis (1) of the Japanese Patent Act stipulates that where a person who has had the patent right, the exclusive license on the patent right, or the non-exclusive license on the patent right or the exclusive license existing at the time of the registration of assignment of the patent right based on the request under Article 74 (1) and has been working the invention in Japan in the course of one’s business, or has been making preparations for one’s business, prior to such registration of assignment of the patent right without knowing that the patent falls under the requirements of Article 123 (1) (ii) (limited to cases in which the patent has been granted in violation of Article 38) or the requirements of Article 123 (1) (vi), such person shall have a non-exclusive license on the patent right limited to the extent of the patent which is being worked or for which preparations for working are made and to the purpose of such working or preparations. Article 80(1) of the Japanese Patent Act stipulates that a person falling under any of the following items, who is doing a business working an invention in Japan or preparing such business, before the registration of a request for a trial for patent invalidation, without knowledge that the patent falls under any of the paragraphs of Article 123(1), shall have a non-exclusive -
Business Method Patents and Patent Floods
Washington University Journal of Law & Policy Volume 8 Symposium on Intellectual Property, Digital Technology & Electronic Commerce January 2002 Business Method Patents and Patent Floods Michael J. Meurer Boston University School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_journal_law_policy Part of the Intellectual Property Law Commons Recommended Citation Michael J. Meurer, Business Method Patents and Patent Floods, 8 WASH. U. J. L. & POL’Y 309 (2002), https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_journal_law_policy/vol8/iss1/12 This Patents and Bioinformatics - Essay is brought to you for free and open access by the Law School at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Journal of Law & Policy by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Business Method Patents and Patent Floods Michael J. Meurer* “[O]ne of the great inventions of our times, the diaper service [is not patentable].”1 Giles S. Rich “We take this opportunity to lay this ill-conceived exception to rest.”2 Giles S. Rich I. INTRODUCTION The decline of the business method exception to patentability will increase the frequency of patent floods. By patent flood, I mean a dramatic jump in the number of patents filed covering a specific class of inventions, as we now observe in e-commerce.3 Floods are likely to become more frequent as future entrepreneurs respond to the appearance of a new market with a spate of business method patent applications claiming new methods tailored to the new market. A flood of related patents in a new market creates special problems for competition in addition to the usual problems that arise * Associate Professor of Law, Boston University School of Law. -
The Basics of Patents
Patent Webinar Series The Basics of Patents March 25, 2021 Meet The Speakers Indranil Sarkar Sushil Iyer Principal Principal fr.com | 2 Overview • Topics – What is a patent? – How to get one? – Some practice tips • Housekeeping – CLE – Questions – Materials • http://www.fr.com/webinars fr.com | 3 Agenda • Background • Patent FAQs • Types of US Patent Applications • Anatomy of a Patent Application • Claims • Requirements for Patentability in US • Prosecution in the US fr.com | 4 Background Introduction The Congress shall have power . to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries. U.S. Constitution, Article I, section 8, clause 8 fr.com | 6 What is Intellectual Property? • Intellectual Property (IP) refers to creations of the mind: inventions; literary and artistic works; and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce. • Patents – protect inventions. • Copyrights – protect written or recorded expressive content. • Trademarks – protect words, symbols, logos, designs, and slogans that identify & distinguish products or services. • Trade Secrets – protect confidential business information. fr.com | 7 What is a Patent? • A grant from the government of the right to prevent others from making, using, offering to sell, selling, or importing the invention(s) claimed in the patent. • Personal property – can be bought, sold, licensed, bequeathed, mortgaged, assigned. • Limited Term – 20 years for utility and plant patents; 14 years for design patents. • Territorial – must obtain patent in every country where protection is desired. • United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) – tasked with examining US patent applications and granting US patents. -
Do Fixed Patent Terms Distort Innovation? Evidence from Cancer Clinical Trials
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES DO FIXED PATENT TERMS DISTORT INNOVATION? EVIDENCE FROM CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS Eric Budish Benjamin N. Roin Heidi Williams Working Paper 19430 http://www.nber.org/papers/w19430 NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH 1050 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 September 2013 Financial support from NIA Grant Number T32-AG000186 to the NBER, NSF Grant Number 1151497, the Chicago Booth Initiative on Global Markets, the NBER Innovation Policy and the Economy program, and the Petrie-Flom Center at Harvard Law School is gratefully acknowledged. We thank Meru Bhanot, David Burk, Toby Chaiken, Brian Cordonnier, Greg Howard, Niels Joaquin, Megan McGrath, and Ana Medrano-Fernandez for excellent research assistance. Daron Acemoglu, David Autor, Raj Chetty, Joe Doyle, Dan Fetter, Amy Finkelstein, Ray Fisman, Alberto Galasso, Amanda Kowalski, Anup Malani, Matt Notowidigdo, Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Ariel Pakes, Al Roth, Jon Skinner, Alan Sorensen, Scott Stern, Glen Weyl, and seminar participants at BEA, Carnegie Mellon, the CBO, the Cornell Empirical Patent Law Conference, Georgia Tech, Harvard Law School, MIT, the NBER (Industrial Organization, Law and Economics, Productivity, and Public Economics), the Northwestern Kellogg Healthcare Markets conference, Toulouse, UC-Berkeley Haas, UIUC, UVA, Wellesley, and Yale Law School provided very helpful comments. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research. NBER working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes. They have not been peer- reviewed or been subject to the review by the NBER Board of Directors that accompanies official NBER publications. © 2013 by Eric Budish, Benjamin N. -
Expert Report of Murray Wilson
In the Arbitration under the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and the North American Free Trade Agreement (Case No. UNCT/14/2) ELI LILLY AND COMPANY Claimant v. GOVERNMENTOFCANADA Respondent EXPERT REPORT OF MURRA Y WILSON l. INTRODUCTION l. M y name is Murray Wilson and I reside in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. 2. I confirm that I have no relationship to Eli Lilly and Company or any of its affiliates. 3. I worked for the Canadian Patent Office for o ver 3 5 years as a patent examiner and in various other capacities such as the acting Chair of the Patent Appeal Board. Based upon that experience, I believe that 1 am qualified to provide the factual information and opinions set out below. 4. During my 35 year career with the Canadian Patent Office I examined and reviewed thousands of patent applications, including pharmaceutical patents. I have extensive experience and in-depth knowledge about the Canadian Patent Office practice relating to the examination and granting of patents during the time period the Strattera and Zyprexa patent applications were examined and the patents granted (patent 2,209,735 and patent 2,041,113, respectively ). 5. After graduating from Carleton University in 1971 with a Bachelor ofMechanical Engineering Degree, I started working in the Canadian Patent Office in 1971 as a patent examiner in the Mechanical Division, examining patent applications in the material handling arts. 6. In 1981, I became a senior patent examiner with responsibilities for examining patent applications that were filed in French.