USPTO Amending Rules by Creating a Separate Design Patent Bar for Practitioners

Since October 2022, the USPTO has publicized their intent to increase the number of registered practitioners and broaden the educational skill set of those registered by creating a separate Design Patent Bar eligible to design professionals that would not otherwise qualify for the current regular Patent Bar. On November 16, 2023, the USPTO officially established the Design Patent Bar, giving notice in the Federal Register. 

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Whether in film or television crime dramas, most people have seen a suspected criminal given her “Miranda Warning” which includes the familiar line: “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently ruled that patent applicants, in certain circumstances, may make statements during prosecution of their applications without any consequences at all.

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Actelion – Significant Digits of a Claimed Numerical Value – Is It Significant Enough? 

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently vacated a district court’s decision regarding the interpretation of claimed term “pH of 13 or higher,” and remanded to the district court for consideration of the parties’ provided extrinsic evidence. The Actelion decision is an important reminder that the way a numerical range is presented is of key importance to how it will be construed.

OBWB was delighted to attend China's second Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE), held on November 23rd in Hangzhou. 

Thomas Scherer was invited to attend the opening ceremony where the Vice President of China delivered a speech. During the expo, OBWB attorneys Thomas Scherer, Han-Mei Tso and Shaoping Zhong participated in the forum "Intellectual Property Governance in Digital Environment".

2023年11月23日，中国第二届全球数字贸易博览会在杭州隆重开启，欧夏梁合伙人Thomas Scherer受邀出席开幕仪式，其中有中国副总理韩正出席并发表致辞。在博览会期间，欧夏梁律师Thomas Scherer、左涵湄和钟少平受邀参加了“数字环境下的知识产权治理论坛“，并且Thomas Scherer还作为重要嘉宾接受电视台采访、受邀在论坛上发表主旨演讲”人工智能以及计算机软件相关技术在美国的专利保护策略“。

Thomas Scherer gave a keynote speech on the topic "Patent Protection Strategy of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Software Related Technologies in the United States".

Thomas Scherer was also interviewed by Zhejiang TV station.

近期，杭州市知识产权保护中心授予欧夏梁在休斯顿、巴黎和迪拜办公室建立杭州市海外知识产权公益服务站；在欧夏梁杭州代表处建立杭州市海外知识产权维权援助服务机构，并聘请左涵湄律师为杭州市海外知识产权纠纷应对指导专家。杭州市知识产权保护中心是国家知识产权局和杭州市政府共同建立的知识产权保护中心。欧夏梁与保护中心后续将就双方合作细节进行讨论。

On November 24th, 2023, OBWB and Hangzhou Binjiang Government jointly held a International Intellectual Property Protection Forum to celebrate the 25th anniversary of OBWB and the 10th anniversary of Hangzhou Representative Office. Local government officials and distinguished IP experts attended the forum to deliver speeches and participate in a roundtable discussion. The forum was a great success, attracting more than 130 representatives from enterprises and IP service agencies across the country.  

欧夏梁成功在杭州举行25周年庆祝论坛

2023年11月24日，为庆祝欧夏梁25周年暨杭州代表处10周年，欧夏梁与杭州滨江政府共同成功举办“知识产权国际保护论坛”。论坛邀请了众多浙江政府官员和行业专家出席论坛‘发表演讲并参与主题研讨，并吸引了全国超过130名来自企业和IP服务机构的代表出席。

During the Forum, OBWB was awarded by Hangzhou Binjiang Government as "Overseas Intellectual Property Public Service Station." Partner Thomas Scherer delivered a thank-you speech on behalf of OBWB and delivered a keynote speech on “Patent Strategy for AI Related Technologies in the United States.”  Partner Han-Mei Tso hosted a round-table discussion on the topic "Dilemma and Strategy on IP Overseas Protection for Chinese Enterprises." The panelists included IP Directors and Experts from Alibaba, Hikvision, Geely Automobile, Solvay Group and Huawei.

论坛中，杭州滨江政府授予欧夏梁为“海外知识产权公益服务站”，Thomas Scherer代表欧夏梁发表感谢致辞并发表主旨演讲”人工智能以及计算机软件相关技术在美国的专利保护策略“， 左涵湄律师主持了圆桌论坛“企业知识产权国际保护的困境和对策”，与谈人包括来自阿里巴巴、海康威视、吉利汽车、索尔维集团与华为等知名公司的知识产权总监与专家。本次论坛深入探讨企业知识产权国际保护相关议题，讨论热烈，收获甚丰。

From all of us here at OBWB, we wish you and yours

a happy and healthy holiday season.