Our texts exploded on the afternoon of March 18 when we learned that the president had fired FTC Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. Perhaps the writing was on the wall, given the firings of what were deemed nonremovable appointees elsewhere and DOJ’s view on the validity of Humphrey’s Executor, but the news that it
Can U.S. Trademark Registrations Be Cancelled for Genericness?
By Daniel H. Bliss
Suppose that you have obtained a U.S. trademark registration for your trademark on goods or services for your business. Can your trademark registration be cancelled with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office based on genericness? If so, what is the appropriate time period for assessing whether a trademark is generic? Is
Federal Circuit Touches on Appellate Standing and Prior Art Determinations in the Context of Post-Grant Review Proceedings
In CQV Co. Ltd. v. Merck Patent GmbH, the Federal Circuit addressed (1) the interaction of indemnification agreements with Article III standing for appeals of post-grant review decisions of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and (2) whether all evidence must be addressed by the Board when qualifying prior art.
FTC Files Brief Fully Supporting Its Click-to-Cancel Rule
Just prior to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC or Commission) publication of its Click-to-Cancel Rule (the Rule) – which we wrote about in depth here – in the Federal Register, several trade associations filed petitions for review in four circuit courts. The litigation was then consolidated in an action in the Eighth Circuit, which quickly
Massachusetts Finalizes Junk Fee Regulation
Earlier this month, Massachusetts issued regulations on two of the hottest areas for consumer protection: junk fees and subscriptions. In this blog post, we address the junk fee requirements. For more information on the subscription rules, look out for another blog post coming soon. If you want to read the full regulation, you can find
The Briefing: Court Drowns Pepperdine’s ‘Waves’ Trademark Battle Against Netflix
On the latest episode of The Briefing, Weintraub attorneys Scott Hervey and Jessica Corpuz break down the court’s decision in Pepperdine’s trademark fight with Netflix over the name “Waves” in the new series Running Point. Tune in for insights on this case and how the Jack Daniel’s ruling is reshaping trademark law in entertainment.
Quantum Computing Patent Trends in the US: Are Breakthroughs Just Around the Corner?
Recent headlines suggest that prominent technology CEOs are tossing tepid water onto the quantum computing narrative, leading to a sell-off of quantum computing stocks in January 2025. However, quantum computing CEO’s disagree, asserting that commercial quantum computers are already here and delivering value to clients. While the timeline for widespread quantum utility remains debated, one
Chairman Ferguson’s Federal Trade Commission: Nearly Two Months In
Andrew Ferguson took over as FTC Chairman on Jan. 21. Nearly two months in, and Chairman Ferguson’s FTC is slowly taking shape. Consumer protection complaints have begun to be filed (although of course these matters were in the works for quite some time), guidance has been issued and a new commissioner – Mark Meador –
Courthouse Book Drive
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter proudly announce the Courthouse Book Drive. Throughout March 2025, donations of new or gently used children’s books (grades K-8) are being accepted for the American Dreams Playroom at the Dirksen Federal Building. This incredible effort ensures that every
Amid Trump’s Agency Upheaval, USPTO Threatens Staff Over Leaks
IPNews® – Donald Trump and Elon Musk have recently taken a chainsaw to certain governmental agencies.
Among the affected organizations is the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The USPTO has traditionally been heavily staffed by work from home employees, so meeting the new mandates may be particularly disruptive. To continue reading, click: Amid Trump’s