President Obama Signed The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act into Law Sept. 16, 2011
Recognizing Husch Blackwell's national strength and reputation in the area of Intellectual Property law, Thomson Reuters' West book publishing division tapped the firm to author a commentary and analysis on the Act. Husch Blackwell's Edward D. Manzo is lead author and Erik B. Flom significantly contributed to the monograph entitled "Patent Reform 2011: The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act: Commentary and Analysis," and six additional Husch Blackwell attorneys also contributed. The authors practice in the Chicago, Denver and St. Louis, Mo., offices. From Chicago: Jon P. Christensen, Erik B. Flom and Edward D. Manzo; from Denver: Glenn H. Lenzen; and from St. Louis, Missouri: Michael R. Annis, Daniel S. Cohn, Samuel Digirolamo and Mark E. Stallion.
The book focuses on the significant impact the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act will have on U.S. patent law and, in turn, companies and individual inventors. The largest change to occur from the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act is a move from the "first-inventor-to-invent" rule to a "first-inventor-to-file" rule. Other important changes will apply outside the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or will be procedural changes used by the USPTO to determine whether to grant a patent application and the validity of a patent.
Implementation of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act will gradually occur over the next two years, but the book authors encourage parties to prepare in advance for issuing patents, challenging other patents and defending their current patents. "Inventors and companies need to begin preparing now for this transition," said Intellectual Property – Business Department Chair Sam Digirolamo. "Our team's combined legal and technical knowledge enables us to guide our clients in transactions involving intellectual property acquisition, development, maintenance, protection, enforcement and commercialization."
For more attorney commentary and analysis about how the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act significantly reforms U.S. patent law, see our recent legal alert.
Husch Blackwell's Patent attorneys have considerable experience in patent preparation and prosecution, licensing, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The team has developed and prosecuted thousands of patents supporting a wide range of technologies and industries. In partnership with small, mid-sized and large companies, as well as universities, research facilities and individuals, Husch Blackwell helps turn innovations into protectable assets. With more than 80 Intellectual Property attorneys, the group's legal and technical knowledge guides Husch Blackwell clients in matters involving intellectual property acquisition, development, maintenance, protection, enforcement and commercialization. Intellectual Property Today magazine listed Husch Blackwell as a Top 100 Patent Firm and Top 10 Trademark Firm in 2011.