Patrick Muffo

Feb 28, 2024 | mondaq.com | Patrick Muffo |Hillary Maynard

Product designs often serve as the cornerstone of a brand's identity, evoking instant recognition and loyalty among consumers. From the iconic silhouette of Coca-Cola's glass bottle to the distinctive shape of Gibson guitars, the visual appeal of product designs can be a critical asset in the competitive marketplace. However, protecting a product design requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Two forms of IP protection are the most common – design patents and trade dress.

Feb 20, 2024 | jdsupra.com | Hillary Maynard |Patrick Muffo

Product designs often serve as the cornerstone of a brand’s identity, evoking instant recognition and loyalty among consumers. From the iconic silhouette of Coca-Cola’s glass bottle to the distinctive shape of Gibson guitars, the visual appeal of product designs can be a critical asset in the competitive marketplace. However, protecting a product design requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Two forms of IP protection are the most common – design patents and trade dress.

Feb 20, 2024 | natlawreview.com | Gretchen Moore |Patrick Muffo |Hillary Maynard |Arjun Gupta

If an individual’s disability causes involuntary racist or profane utterances, what would a reasonable accommodation under the ADA look like? In Cooper v. Dolgencorp, LLC, the Sixth Circuit faced just such an inquiry. The ADA protects a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of his or her job with or without reasonable accommodation. Typically, the inquiry begins with determining what tasks make up the essential functions of a position.

Jan 17, 2024 | jdsupra.com | Patrick Muffo

Examiner interviews are a powerful but underutilized tool in patent prosecution. Last year, a whopping 75% of patent applications concluded without a single interview in their file history.i This data is remarkable since many consider interviewing cases to be a useful strategy for efficiently prosecuting patent applications. So, this begs the question: are interviews worth the extra cost? We reviewed the data to find out and uncovered a few surprises in the process.

Sep 11, 2023 | mondaq.com | Patrick Muffo

United States: NPE Showcase – Leigh Rothschild Interview (Video) 11 September 2023 Seyfarth Shaw LLP To print this article, all you need is to be registered or login on Mondaq.com. VIDEOPat Muffo sits down with NPE Leigh Rothschild to discuss bothsides of the "patent troll" debate. Click here to watch the fullvideo. The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.