William J Cass, Esq

3D Printed Bio-Tissues: Navigating Patent Protection

Navigating what is patentable in 3D printed bio-tissues is complicated.  Generally, laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas are patent ineligible.  Thus a new mineral discovered in the earth…

Can Your Trademark Fall?

On October 3, 2016, the Supreme Court denied a Petition for Writ of Certiorari Before Judgment in Pro-Football, Inc. v. Blackhorse, 112 F. Supp. 3d 439(E.D. Va. 2015), leaving the…

Avoiding the On-Sale Patent Bar

If you or your company has invented something, be careful to apply for the patent within a year of its first sale.  Otherwise, the right to obtain a patent will…

The Supreme Court Writes a New Chapter on Patent Damages — Making an Award of Attorneys’ Fees and Multiple Damages Easier to Obtain and Once Again Changing the Patent Landscape

This article will review the recent history concerning patent litigation, patent damages, and recent changes effectuated by Congress and the Supreme Court. First, a little history. Once upon a time there…

The New Federal Trade Secrets Act – Another Way to Protect Additive Manufacturing

For the first time ever, Congress has passed a law that makes the misappropriation of trade secrets subject to a federal civil claim. On May 11, 2016, President Obama signed…

3D Bioprinting of Tissues and Organs:  Where Are We?

Industrial 3D printing has been around since the 1980s and was initially known as rapid prototyping because of its most popular application – making prototypes for manufacturing.  The term additive…

Protecting 3D Printed Designs – Can Trade Dress Rights Fill the Void?

Imagine you’ve designed a new product with 3D printing.  Thinking of ways to protect it can be a daunting challenge.  Hopefully, you’ll consider some basic agreements with any third parties…