University technology and federal court decisions

CHAL 16

B. Jeanne Davis, jeanne.davis@taylorporter.com, Taylor, Porter, Brooks, & Phillips LLP, PO Box 2471, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Federal court decisions affect both patenting decisions and licensing decisions of a university technology transfer office. Court decisions will be discussed that have impacted what is patentable subject matter; what is the minimum requirement for utility; what is an adequate written description of a patent application; and what is the test for non-obviousness. In the licensing arena, the value of intellectual property lies in the ability to enforce these rights in the courts. Also, recent court decisions affecting the ability to enforce an issued patent, and giving the licensee the right to challenge the validity of the licensed patent will be discussed.