Google, HTC, TTAB, PTAB, Judge Michel, Apple, Acacia, Microsoft – the week in IP

September 21 2017

Recent news included Google receiving a licence for HTC intellectual property, the TTAB again finding “Pretzel Crisps” to be generic, the PTAB designating a decision as informative, Judge Paul Michel suggesting seven ways to improve the US patent system, Apple settling with Acacia following a $22m verdict, and Microsoft extending its Azure programme to China

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more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Patents

The IP Lounge: USPTO's first woman director on breaking barriers

Michelle Lee discusses reaching milestones at the USPTO, AI’s role in legal work, and empowering women in tech and IP law

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Patents

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Patents

The battle begins: Mayer Brown prepares for first-of-its-kind AI patent case

Mayer Brown’s role in cardiovascular technology dispute reflects how firms are pursuing precedent-setting cases to try and guide AI and patent law

Sanjana Mishra, April 20 2026

Patents

SEP standardisation and AI exploration: Via president shares vision

Kevin Mack, Via’s new president, emphasises the importance of collaborative licensing structures and shares how AI tools can help create new lines of business

Sanjana Mishra, April 20 2026

Trademarks

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This week on MIP: Temu joins IACC | Via adds Sony to Qi patent pool

A Tokyo District Court ruling concerning movie spoilers, and a second chance for VLSI against Intel were also among the top talking points

Sukanya Sarkar, April 17 2026

Trademarks

ai chat digital technology, business communication, and development of smart robot conversation, bot artificial intelligence open for customer, concept command prompt chatbot generates information

‘Efficiency enhancers, not revenue disruptors’: lawyers analyse USPTO’s AI trademark tools

Practitioners believe new AI tools at the USPTO will not replace lawyers or disrupt revenue, but instead expose where a trademark attorney’s value lies

Sanjana Mishra, April 17 2026

Trademarks

New NZ boutique looks to capitalise on lack of consolidated IP services

Leighton Cassidy Legal hopes to leverage its founder's international experience and provide clients with a rare chance to receive litigation and prosecution under one umbrella

Sukanya Sarkar, April 16 2026

Trademarks

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Estée Lauder’s ‘Origins’ downs ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ TM application

UKIPO rejects trademark application for 'Cristiano Ronaldo Origins' following opposition by Beck Greener client in a rare case that considered actual use

Max Walters, April 16 2026

Patents

merger and acquisition business concept, join puzzle 3d

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader merger approved, debut planned for July

Partners at both firms have voted in favour of the tie-up, which marks ‘the largest law firm merger in history’

Noemi Distefano, April 15 2026

Trademarks

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Shoosmiths targets tech to aid European expansion

Head of IP, Andrew Brennan, and new partner, France Delord, explain how tech provides an edge in the battle for global brand owners’ business

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