A preliminary injunction was granted recently against a set of controversial new rules from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As a result, the new rules will not go into effect for the time being.

The rules, which limit the number of continuing applications to two and the number of claims per application to 25, including no more than five independent claims, have been strongly opposed by patent practitioners and industry leaders.

According to IP Law 360, GlaxoSmithKline filed the final complaint against the USPTO, alleging that the rules were introduced without “proper legal authority” and that the new rules were “vague, arbitrary and capricious”.

In a response submitted after the hearing, the USPTO stated that they will be standing by their new regulations.

Featured Act Legal steps for Dismissals

Featured Case Law Lip-smacking ruling by ASA Final Appeal Committee
On 16 July 2007 the Final Appeal Committee of the Advertising Standards Authority handed down a lip-smacking ruling in the matter between Carma Laboratories Inc. (the Complainant) and Avid Brands SA (Pty) Ltd (the Respondent) which makes it clear that South African businesses should be wary of copying the advertising of internationally sold products.

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The firm practises directly in several Southern African countries and through long-established associates in others.

New US patent rules blocked8/11/2007

New US patent rules blocked
8/11/2007