Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Publishes Patent Office Litigation

Thomson Reuters Westlaw Release Outlines Contested USPTO Proceedings in the Wake of the America Invents Act

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Nov 05, 2012, 09:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C., an intellectual property law firm in Washington, DC, is pleased to announce the publication of Patent Office Litigation, a two-volume set focused on the new contested proceedings under the America Invents Act (AIA). The book – published by Thomson Reuters Westlaw – examines how the proceedings interact with other aspects of patent procurement and enforcement, while delivering practical analysis and advice on all aspects of new contested proceedings.

"When the America Invents Act was passed last year, we knew the time was ripe for a book on the subject of contested proceedings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office – a subject we refer to as patent office litigation," said Robert Greene Sterne, Sterne Kessler Founding Director and Editor-in-Chief of Patent Office Litigation. "No other firm could provide a more comprehensive look at these contested proceedings and how they will become a prominent component of patent enforcement litigation in the United States and around the world."

Ushered in by the AIA, the new contested proceedings are the most significant development in patent practice since the creation of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 1982. Patent Office Litigation includes an in-depth examination of the effects of the AIA, providing a vital and comprehensive roadmap of the new patent world that these contested proceedings create.

Patent Office Litigation Editor and Sterne Kessler Director Eldora L. Ellison, Ph.D. added, "Sterne Kessler has assembled one of the most sophisticated patent office litigation practices in the United States by leveraging its experience in patent interferences, reexamination, and appeals at the USPTO, in combination with patent litigation experience in the courts and at the U.S. International Trade Commission. Our work on more than 50 interference proceedings and over 400 ex parte and inter partes patent reexaminations on behalf of both patent owners and third party requesters cannot be understated."

A key publication for patent owners, litigators, and IP professionals operating in today's global economy, Patent Office Litigation explores the interplay between contested proceedings and the district courts, USITC and the Federal Circuit, analyzes hypothetical scenarios and examines comparable proceedings in select countries for a global perspective.

"On September 16, 2012, many of the new contested proceedings became available to companies wishing to challenge patent validity outside of the traditional district court channels," said Lori A. Gordon, Patent Office Litigation Editor and Sterne Kessler Director. "Over the first six weeks of availability, Sterne Kessler filed almost one fourth of the inter partes reviews recorded with the USPTO."

"We're not just leading the charge on inter partes review filings," added Jon E. Wright, a Director at Sterne Kessler and Editor of Patent Office Litigation. "Sterne Kessler is also representing two of the companies who have had these new contested proceedings brought against their patents."

"This book reflects the deep patent and litigation knowledge and experience of our legal team and we are thrilled to be able to share our best thinking with the broader legal community," said Michael B. Ray, Managing Director of Sterne Kessler.

For additional context, Mr. Sterne has provided an online video series of six predictions concerning the new world of contested proceedings under AIA. The videos are available here, or via the direct links below.

Prediction #1: The Spike
Prediction #2: How Do We Get It All Done?
Prediction #3: Obviousness is King
Prediction #4: The Inequitable Conduct Defense Is Alive & Very Well
Prediction #5: To Stay Or Not To Stay
Prediction #6: Estoppel Peek-a-Boo

For more information about Patent Office Litigation, click here. To order a copy, click here.

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. - Strategists and Advisors specializing in the protection, transfer and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights. Founded in 1978 and based in Washington, DC, the firm has over 150 patent attorneys, agents and technical specialists representing a broad range of entities including emerging and established companies, venture capital firms, universities and select individuals.

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