U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Justices Say Government Can’t Refuse Disparaging Trademarks

Darryl Hood,
Posted:

by Darryl Hood

The Supreme Court says the government can’t refuse to register trademarks that are considered offensive. The ruling Monday is a win for an Asian-American rock band called the Slants and it gives a major boost to the Washington Redskins in a separate legal fight over the team name. The justices said part of a law that bars the government from…

High Court Upholds Process for Challenging Patents

Darryl Hood,
Posted:

by Darryl Hood

The Supreme Court has upheld the process for challenging invalid patents, making it easier for companies to fight so-called patent trolls. The justices ruled unanimously on Monday to uphold the legal standard used to invalidate patents by a new appeals board at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Congress created the board in 2011 over concerns federal officials were issuing…