News

  • David Berdan USPTO Appoints David Berdan as General Counsel

    November 10, 2020

    As General Counsel, Mr. Berdan will serve as the principal legal advisor to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. Mr. Berdan will also supervise the Office of General Counsel and its three component offices: the Office of the Solicitor, the Office of General Law, and the Office of Enrollment and Discipline. Over the past 25 years, Mr. Berdan has served in a variety of important legal positions, most recently, as General Counsel and Compliance Officer of Gaming Arts. Mr. Berdan will begin his new role at the USPTO on Monday, November 16.
  • Continuing Legal Education USPTO USPTO Released Proposed Continuing Legal Education Guidelines

    October 14, 2020

    On October 9, The USPTO published a notice seeking public input on proposed guidelines regarding continuing legal education (CLE). As we noted in an earlier notice, the final rule published on August 3, 2020, will require beginning March 1, 2022, that registered patent practitioners and individuals granted limited recognition to practice before the USPTO in patent matters, biennially submit a mandatory registration statement.
  • Supreme Court Supreme Court Will Decide If PTAB Violates Appointments Clause

    October 13, 2020

    On October 13, 2020, the Supreme Court agreed to decide whether the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, as created by the AIA, violates the Appointments Clause in Article II of the Constitution. The Court granted certiorari in three consolidated cases (United States v. Arthrex, Inc., et al. 19-1434; Smith & Nephew, Inc., et al. v. Arthrex, Inc., et al., 19-1452; and Arthrex, Inc., v. Smith & Nephew, Inc., et al., 19-1458), but limited its review to two specific questions
  • Fee Increase USPTO fee changes effective October 2, 2020

    September 22, 2020

    The USPTO published a Final Rule on August 3, 2020 in a Federal Register Notice, announcing fee changes that take effect October 2, 2020. The Final Rule includes an approximate 5-10% increase to most fees impacted by the rule, with some larger increases, notably in issue and maintenance fees, maintenance late fees, and PTAB fees. Four fees were discontinued.
  • Shira Perlmutter Shira Perlmutter Is Named Register of Copyrights

    September 22, 2020

    AIPLA congratulates Shira Perlmutter on her appointment as the 14th Register of Copyrights. Her extensive experience in intellectual property law will be a tremendous benefit to the Office.