The USPTO published new examination guidance concerning method-of-treatment claims. Cantor Colburn's Client Alert summarizes the so-called "Vanda memo." In a memorandum dated June 7, 2018, the USPTO set out new examination guidance concerning method-of-treatment claims, which is encouraging news for patent applicants in the personalized medicine space. The memo emphasizes that method of treatment claims can be found to satisfy subject matter eligibility under 35 USC § 101 at the first step of an Alice/Mayo analysis, without requiring a showing of “nonroutine or unconventional steps.” The memo provides helpful guidance to examiners and patent applicants that emphasizes the patent eligibility of personalized method of treatment claims.

Cantor Colburn LLP is proud to announce the hiring of Leo V. Gureff in the firm’s Washington, D.C. area office in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Gureff is a patent attorney working in both domestic and international prosecution and transactions, with significant experience in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, where he travels regularly for business.

Cantor Colburn LLP has been recommended as a Leading Firm by the Legal 500 United States 2018 in Intellectual Property for Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings). This is the ninth consecutive year that Cantor Colburn has been recognized for this highly selective honor.

Cantor Colburn LLP is proud to announce the hiring of Douglas S. Weinstein in the firm’s Atlanta office. Mr. Weinstein is a patent attorney, working in both prosecution and litigation, with significant experience in Taiwan, where he served as Partner and Taiwan IP Coordinator for four years for a major U.S. intellectual property (IP) firm.

On May 25, 2018, the WHOIS domain name database, consisting of registrant identity data that brand owners, trademark practitioners, law enforcement, and brand protection companies rely on to assist with transactions, investigations, and enforcement activities, will disappear into the shadows. May 25, 2018 is the day that the European Union (EU) personal information privacy regulation - the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - goes into effect. Cantor Colburn's Trademark & Copyright attorneys summarize the issue in a Client Alert.

Six Cantor Colburn partners were selected as IP Stars in the 2018 World IP Survey by Managing Intellectual Property. Cantor Colburn was recognized as a “highly recommended” intellectual property (IP) law firm in the state of Connecticut, where the firm is headquartered.

Co-Managing Partners Michael Cantor and Philmore Colburn were listed in Connecticut, as were Pamela Curbelo, David Fox, and Leah Reimer, Ph.D.  Paul Marshall, who is based in the firm’s Detroit office, made the list for the state of Michigan. All are Patent Stars and Mr. Colburn is additionally a Trademark Star.

On April 24, 2018, the Supreme Court issued two important decisions in the cases of Oil States Energy Services, LLC v. Greene’s Energy Group, LLC, et al., and SAS Institute Inc. v. Iancu, addressing inter partes review (IPR). Both cases will have a significant impact on IPR proceedings. In sum and as discussed in greater detail in Cantor Colburn's Client Alert, the Court determined that (1) IPR proceedings are indeed constitutional, and (2) the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) must address all challenged claims in the final written decision.  

Co-Managing Partner Michael Cantor's role in the "seamless partnership between state government and the private sector" effort to make Hartford, Connecticut an "technology-and-innovation hub" for Infosys, an India-based information technology company undergoing a major expansion in the U.S., is featured In the March 15, 2018 article, "How CT wooed Infosys to Hartford," by Mark Paznokias (HartfordBusiness.com).

Cantor Colburn is ranked #3 for design patents and #8 for trademark registrations among all U.S. law firms in 2017, according to the well-respected IP blog Ant-like Persistence (2017 US Toteboards, March 11, 2018). The ranking measures the number of design patents that were issued and the number of trademark registrations that were issued by the USPTO in 2017.

Cantor Colburn partner Michelle Ciotola was quoted in the article "CT lawsuit tests Google's keyword search ad treatment," (Hartford Business Journal, February 19, 2018) about the lawsuit filed by Edible Arrangements against Google, in which Edible Arrangements demands $209 million in damages and other penalties for trademark infringement and unfair competition and trade practices. Ciotola is chair of the firm's Trademark & Copyright Department.

IP Law360 published Partner Howard Levy's article, "Reconsidering Accelerated Examination — While It's Still Here" in its Expert Analysis section on February 12, 2018.

For the last ten years, Cantor Colburn LLP has been the fastest growing patent law firm in the country, according to patent analytics and research firm Juristat in its “Rainmaker Firms” blog post on February 4, 2016.

Cantor Colburn attorney Patrick S. Griffin has joined the board of directors of Lilypad, a nonprofit organization that provides a playspace in South Philadelphia to bring families together with playgroups, community events, and classes. His two year term appointment was made during Lilypad’s December meeting and starts January 2018.

Cantor Colburn welcomes the new year with the elevation of two attorneys to its partnership, Eric J. Baron and Jenae C. Gureff, and the promotion of two Associates to Counsel, Duane P. Minley and Jason D. Radachy. Mr. Baron and Mr. Radachy are located in the firm’s Hartford office, Ms. Gureff is in Washington, D.C., and Mr. Minley is in Atlanta.

On January 16, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will require a slight increase in the fees to obtain a patent (i.e., filing, search, examination, and issue fee) relative to the current fee schedule. Cantor Colburn's Client Alert outlines the changes. While most fees will see around a 10% increase, certain fees such as Information Disclosure Statements and Inter Partes Review petitions will see a sizable increase. 

The UConn Alumni e-newsletter Momentum published the article, "Tough Engineering Classes Forged These CEOs" about Michael Cantor, Co-Managing Partner of Cantor Colburn, Frank Bergonzi, CEO & President of Azelis Americas, and Mark Vergnano, President and CEO, the Chemours Co., UConn Engineering alumni from the 80s who are today industry leaders.

Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven M. Coyle as the new Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department effective November 1, 2017. He joins his fellow partner and litigator Michael J. Rye in leading the department.

For the second consecutive year, U.S. News - Best Lawyers® has ranked Cantor Colburn among the country’s "Best Law Firms." Cantor Colburn’s copyright and litigation practices were cited, and litigation was cited for both intellectual property and patent litigation.

Michael Cantor was a guest on Pulse of the Region radio show and podcast with Lalitha Shivaswamy, President of Helios Management Company, and Bruce Carlson, President and CEO of the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC). The panel discussed ScaleUP CT, a conference on November 2, 2017 at the Omni Hotel New Haven presented by the CTC that is designed to support emerging growth companies that excel in innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Cantor Colburn is the #10 U.S. law firm for trademarks, according to the most recent national ranking of the number of trademark registrations law firms obtained for clients in the previous year.

Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce that seven attorneys from its Hartford office were named to the 2017 list of Connecticut Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.   

Partner Andrew Ryan, chair of the Post-Grant Practice Group at Cantor Colburn, is author of a Client Alert on the recent Aqua decision that reduces the burden on patent owners to amend claims in inter partes review (IPR). Cantor Colburn has extensive experience in handling IPRs and other post grant proceedings for its clients.

Cantor Colburn sponsored Team Cantor Colburn at the New England Parkinson’s Ride on September 9, 2017, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, at which cyclists ride up to 100 miles to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's research.  Team Cantor Colburn raised more than $13,000.

Cantor Colburn attorney Alicia Hayter has been recognized as a New Leader in the Law by the Connecticut Law Tribune.

Bloomberg BNA published "Pathways to FDA Approval for 3-D Printed Medical Devices," written by William J. Cass, Of Counsel at Cantor Colburn. The article appeared in its Electronic Commerce & Law Report on August 23, 2017.

Recent Federal cases Mayo and Myriad have made it more difficult for pharmaceutical, biotech and life sciences companies to obtain patent protection for their innovative new drugs, diagnostic tests, or medical procedures.  The ability to obtain strong patent protection, notwithstanding the Mayo and Myriad decisions, has therefore become an important need in the pharma and biotech industries.  Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce that it is the #1 law firm in the country for handling § 101 rejections on biotech, pharma, and life sciences applications according to patent analytics firm Juristat. 

Cantor Colburn is pleased to announce that its Co-Managing Partners Michael A. Cantor and Philmore H. Colburn II, and partners Curtis Krechevsky, who leads the firm’s Trademark & Copyright Department, and Michael J. Rye, who leads the firm’s Litigation Department, were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018.

The INTA Design Committee's Designs Communications Subcommittee formed a 3D Printing Task Force which published the paper, "3D Printing: Key Legal Issues and Options for Change."  Michael Cantor, a long-time member of INTA, the International Trademark Association, is a member of the Task Force and was a co-author. Cantor Colburn has an Additive Manufacturing Practice Group which concentrates on IP services for companies involved in 3D printing and additive manufacturing technology.

Cantor Colburn has been recommended as a Leading Firm by the Legal 500 United States 2017 in Intellectual Property for Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings). This will be the firm’s eighth consecutive year as being recognized for this highly selective honor. Partners Michael Cantor, Phil Colburn, Leah Reimer, Pamela Curbelo, Andy Ryan and Dave Christensen received special recognition from the editors of the publication. Dave Christensen was also recognized as a Next Generation Lawyer.

Curt Krechevsky,  chair of Cantor Colburn's Trademark & Copyright Department, was featured in the June 27, 2017 issue of IPPro The Internet, discussing his role as Chair of the INTA Brands and Innovation Committee. 

Michael A. Cantor has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS). Mr. Cantor and his fellow trustees will help the CHS fulfill its mission to “connect you and the story of Connecticut” through exhibits, special events, guest speakers, and research opportunities.