IP News & Notes: CLS Bank, Inventor Expo, PAIR & More

Here is the latest edition of News & Notes.

I’ve struggled to figure out how to handle this column, but think that moving forward what I will do is keep a list of interesting items worth knowing and publish once I have a critical mass, which means that the length of this section will vary depending upon the urgency of the items contained.

EFS-WEB and Private PAIR: Unable to Authenticate

Starting January 15, 2014, some EFS-Web and Private PAIR users experienced issues when authenticating to the system.

It is suggested that users upgrade to Java 7 update 51. If authentication issues continue after the installation of Java 7 updated 51, the Patent Office suggests that you contact the Patent Electronic Business Center for assistance. The Patent Electronic Business Center is available between 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. They can be reached via toll-free phone at 1-866-217-9197 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Soliciting Companies to Sign CLS Bank Amicus Brief

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank on March 31, 2014.  This case is being briefed on the merits right now, and Trading Technologies is looking for parties interested in sighing onto their brief in support of software patents. There is no financial obligation required.

This case will have an impact on any company that owns or relies on software patents or any method patent (e.g., medical procedure patents).  The Supreme Court will determine whether (or to what extent) computer implemented inventions or methods are patentable.  While the Alice patent relates to the financial service industry, the outcome will with virtual certainty impact software and methods generally, likely affecting hundreds of thousands of patents.  It is important that the Supreme Court hear from businesses that rely on patents to protect their research and development.

Trading Technologies is currently drafting an amicus brief that strongly encourages the Supreme Court to:

1. consider the importance of software patents to businesses; and
2. hold that computer implemented inventions are patent eligible.

The brief will support patent eligibility for any claim that recites tangible elements (e.g., computer elements) unless that claim is directed to a law of nature or formula.

If you desire more information on this issue, or want to consider signing onto the amicus brief, please contact Jay Knobloch at  jay.knobloch@tradingtechnologies.com or call 312-698-6497.

South Florida Inventor Expo Scheduled for Feb. 15, 2014

The Inventors Society of South Florida will hold their annual Inventor Expo at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Saturday, February 15, 2014, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Last year 7% of attendees were investors.

This annual event will include programming that will help inventors learn how others promote their products. Successful entrepreneur and serial innovator Tamara Kleinberg will share how using disruptive innovation across your entire business is your competitive advantage and how thinking sideways leads to inventive ideas that do more than just improve your bottom line. Joshua Ramsey, President of Strategic Point Marketing, will discuss how to cut your marketing costs while increasing lead flow. Inventor Patricia Nolan-Brown will break down the invention process into six simple steps and identifies six important personality traits for success. The Shuuk Pit is an opportunity for five inventors to compete for cash prizes and show time on TheShuuk.com, an open square or market where innovative entrepreneurs and small business owners sell their wares and collaborate.

Ray Millien Goes In-house

Ray Millien, who is a frequent contributor to IPWatchdog.com, has joined GE Healthcare as Senior IP Counsel, HCIT/Performance Solutions and Global Services. In this role Ray will drive the global intellectual property strategy for GE Healthcare’s services, consulting and software businesses, which have a combined $6.1B in annual revenue.  Ray will report to the respective General Counsels of each business and be based in Barrington, IL.

Ray is a software engineer and patent lawyer, and most recently he was in private practice with PCT® Law Group, where he practiced intellectual property and general corporate law. In 2010, 2012 and 2013, he was named one of the “World’s 300 Leading IP Strategists” by Intellectual Asset Management Magazine.  Prior to joining PCT, Ray was the General Counsel of Ocean Tomo, an IP merchant bank based in Chicago. Previously, Ray was Vice President and IP Counsel at The American Express Company in New York, where his responsibilities included managing the company’s global patent portfolio and leading technology and brand outward-licensing deals.