Category Archives: Courts

The CFAA: A Law Against Hackers, or Employees who Misuse Proprietary Information

There is a split in the US Appellate Courts about the application of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).  18 USC §1030.  The CFAA creates civil and criminal penalties for accessing a computer “without authorization,” or “exceeding authorized access.”  … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Procedure, Confidential, Contracts, copyright, Courts, Damages, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Patent, Proprietary, Prosecution, Supreme Court, Trade Secret | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Are IP Escrow Agreements Enforceable?

Customers often negotiate for IP Escrow Agreements from their Suppliers.  This is how an IP Escrow Agreement works:  The Customer wants to have a reliable source for products.  Therefore, the Customer asks its Supplier to put all of the IP … Continue reading

Posted in Commercial, Contracts, copyright, Courts, Intellectual Property, IP Escrow, Patent, Trade Secret, Trademark | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Comparing Patent Litigation in the US, UK and Europe

The following table illustrates some differences in patent litigation between the US, the UK and the EU. US UK EU Court Federal Court England & Wales have special Patent Courts at the County and High Court level European Commission and/or … Continue reading

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How to Start a Lawsuit – The Complaint & Claim Form

So someone has wronged you. Maybe they have infringed your intellectual property, breached a licensing agreement with you, or stolen your tradesecret. You have written them, and maybe even threatened them with legal action, but they refuse to make things … Continue reading

Posted in Civil Procedure, Commercial, copyright, Courts, Damages, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Patent, Trade Secret, Trademark | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Clear & Convincing” 8-0 US Supreme Court Ruling in i4i v. Microsoft*

On June 9, 2011 the US Supreme Court ruled 8-0 in favor of i4i in the i4i v. Microsoft case. US Supreme Court Case No. 10-290. At issue was the “clear and convincing” burden of proof for patent invalidity. The … Continue reading

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Hi-Tech Patent Infringement Damages, Pt. 2

Following up on my previous entry, according to a study conducted in 2007, 2/3 of all patent cases were either on appeal or had been overturned. Jury verdicts were 900% higher than bench verdicts, and juries found for plaintiff in … Continue reading

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