Takeaway: The USPTO is increasingly relying on discretionary denials, signaling that petitioners face steep hurdles when patents are older or tied to ongoing litigation, while challenges to newer patents remain the most viable path forward for inter-party reviews of patents at the USPTO.

Takeaway: The USPTO has launched DesignVision, an AI-powered image search tool that enhances the speed and accuracy of design patent examinations, marking a major step toward modernizing IP review and improving patent quality.

Takeaway: The Federal Circuit invalidated USAA’s mobile check deposit patent for claiming an abstract idea without inventive technology, reinforcing that using generic devices for routine tasks is not patent-eligible under § 101.

Takeaway: Midyear is the right time for companies to review and reinforce trade secret protections to ensure their evolving confidential information remains secure and well-managed.

Takeaway: The USPTO’s new “settled expectations” policy allows denial of patent challenges based on a patent’s age, signaling a shift toward earlier filings and greater uncertainty for late-stage IPR petitions.

Takeaway: The USPTO is seeking public input on international draft guidelines to combat the $467 billion global trade in counterfeit goods sold online, noting the urgent need for coordinated enforcement and collaboration between governments, platforms, and IP holders to protect consumers and brand integrity.

Takeaway: Google is leading the surge in AI patent filings globally and in the U.S., particularly in emerging areas like agentic AI, underscoring its investment in next-generation autonomous technologies as the AI patent landscape continues to grow rapidly.

Takeaway: The UAE has become one of the first countries to launch an AI-powered regulatory ecosystem, aiming to accelerate lawmaking by up to 70% and create a more responsive, data-driven legal system aligned with global best practices.

Takeaway: The Ninth Circuit ruled that plaintiffs can recover substantial damages and attorney fees in default judgments even without specifying exact amounts in their complaint, highlighting that general requests for relief "to be proven at trial" satisfy Rule 54(c) — a key takeaway for litigants seeking full remedies after defaults.

Takeaway: President Trump has nominated John Squires, former chief IP counsel at Goldman Sachs, to be the next director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, with his nomination now referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.