Recent developments regarding domain name registrations potentially affect all domain name owners. In response to recent decisions from the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the PTO has now issued Proposed Guidelines for examination of computer-implemented inventions. As Internet use skyrockets, so does the number of complex and challenging legal issues that arise out of such use. Trademark law, in particular, has been impacted by the ease with which information can be accessed and manipulated through the World Wide Web. A solid strategy is a must for any inventor.
Any strategy is based upon a set of concerns.
Typical concerns for individual inventors include, cost, protection afforded and strength of protection. These patents have been the subject of recent criticism, but the marketplace ultimately will determine their validity. According to the College Savings decision, state entities cannot be sued for patent infringement by private patent holders despite the passage of remedial legislation, the Patent Remedy Act, designed specifically to allow the patentee to do so. The controversial issue of Internet-related patents has heated up this past week. In the wake of unsuccessful efforts by the states to regulate unsolicited commercial email, aka spam, the federal government is stepping up to the plate.