Federal Circuit Finds Bayer’s Yaz Birth Control Patent Invalid for Obviousness

Bayer Healthcare Pharm., Inc. v. Watson Pharm., Inc.
By Erica Larson – Edited by Suzanne Van Arsdale

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the judgment of the Nevada District Court, which ruled that claims 13 and 15 of Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bayer Schering Pharma AG (“Bayer”) U.S. Patent RE37,564 were not invalid for obviousness. The patent claimed a combination of synthetic hormones and dosing regimens used by Bayer in the Yaz birth control pill.

The Way the Cookie Crumbles: “Metaphorical” Arguments Before The Supreme Court on the Patentability of Genes

Ass’n for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc.
By Alex Shank – Edited by David LeRay

On Monday, April 15, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments to determine the validity of a patent encompassing the use of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Mutations in these genes correlate strongly with the development of breast and ovarian cancers. As the patent owner, Myriad Genetics, Inc. (“Myriad”) possesses and exercises the exclusive right to sell diagnostic testing kits based on these genes.

Flash Digest: News in Brief

By Charlie Stiernberg

Digital Public Library of America Goes Live, Sans Fanfare

ITC Rules Apple iPhone did not Violate Motorola Patents

Parties Race to Register “Boston Strong” Trademark with USPTO

Flash Digest: News in Brief

By Ron Gonski

House Passes CISPA

Federal Circuit Renews K-Tech Communications Lawsuit Against DirecTV

Government Squashes Dozens of Patents a Year for National Security Reasons

S.D.N.Y Holds that the First Sale Doctrine Does not Permit the Resale of a Digital Music File

Capitol Records, LLC v. ReDigi Inc.
By Charlie Stiernberg – Edited by Andrew Crocker

Internet startup ReDigi—“the world’s first and only online marketplace for digital used music”—recently suffered a setback in the rollout of its digital music resale platform. Judge Sullivan for the District Court for the Southern District of New York granted plaintiff Capitol Records’ motion for partial summary judgment on its claims for defendant ReDigi’s direct, contributory, and vicarious infringement.