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

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

Museum in tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo in Madeira in the city of Funchal. portugal, cr7

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

Futuristic Digital Map of Europe Showing Glowing Network Data Connections

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

April 15 2026

Patents

Patented Patent Copyright Law Business technology concept.

PTAB Section 101 reversals rise: what the decisions signal and how to position your next appeal

Anton Hopen, shareholder at Trenam Law, shares how counsel should construct Section 101 claims as early 2026 PTAB data shows reversals rising in technical cases

Anton Hopen, April 15 2026

Trademarks

Weekly take: EUIPO’s IP-backed financing vision could spell opportunity

Law firms should consider how they can help clients, as report calls on EU to use IP-backed financing to increase bloc’s competitiveness and attractiveness for businesses

April 15 2026

Patents

China rapidly rises as a sovereign microprocessor manufacturer

Appeals against CNIPA invalidation decisions: representative cases

In the final part of a series on challenging patent invalidation decisions in China, lawyers at Spruson & Ferguson and Marshall Gerstein share how courts adjudicate appeals

Siqi Wang, April 14 2026

Trademarks

Where everybody knows your name: new IP boutique sprouts in Belgium

Stijn Debaene and Carina Gommers want Brussels-based Cast Law to be the place 'everybody wants to work'

April 14 2026

Patents

Ashurst Perkins Coie moves forward with partners’ vote

The combination between Ashurst and Perkins Coie, which will create a $2.8 billion law firm, is expected to close in Q3

Noemi Distefano, April 13 2026

Trademarks

Brandsmiths acquires Sipara, moves into UK’s top 10 TM filing firms

While Sipara will continue operating under its existing name and leadership for now, both firms plan to present a united front at the INTA Annual Meeting in London

Sukanya Sarkar, April 13 2026