Who are you going to call if you have a question about whether your conduct as a patent or trademark attorney is ethical? Many state bars offer “ethics hotlines” to aid their members in their understanding of, and compliance with, their obligations under applicable rules of professional conduct. Although the USPTO does not advertise a […]
Above the Law claims it provides legal analysis and relevant commentary on the legal industry. After reading senior editor Joe Patrice’s recent missive, Finally, A Reason to Drink!! Here’s your guide to making the State of the Union bearable, it seems ATL has discovered a new mission: encouraging attorneys to consume copious amounts of alcohol.
“A man’s got to know his limitations” – Clint Eastwood, Magnum Force (1973) The USPTO’s Office of Enrollment and Discipline has become increasingly active in the last several years, particularly in investigating business or general practice attorneys who dabble in trademark law. Many have learned the hard way–through an ethics inquiry and possible disciplinary decisions–regarding
A court rules a patent attorney engaged in inequitable conduct. A client sues its trademark attorney for malpractice. A state bar files ethics charges against a patent practitioner. The police arrest a patent agent for domestic violence. A litigator is sanctioned by the PTAB under Rule 11.18 for making a frivolous argument. These are situations
Speak No Evil: When Must You Self-Report Your Misconduct To The USPTO Read More »
Emil Ali has been keeping very busy representing trademark practitioners in USPTO ethics investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Next Thursday, May 12, Emil will be sharing his insights into the perilous ethical landscape faced by trademark counsel, in a live online webinar. Every trademark practitioner should watch and learn from the mistakes others have made! This
Trademark Ethics: 5 Things That Might Keep You Up At Night Read More »
The USPTO has ordered a registered patent agent who allowed a patent application to go abandoned, failed to communicate with his client, and failed to cooperate with the Office of Enrollment and Discipline’s ethics investigation to serve a six-month license suspension and one-year probation. This case presents a cautionary tale for IP practitioners and teaches
On May 26, 2021, the USPTO clarified its position that U.S. “practitioners”—who, by definition, include only United States-barred attorneys and USPTO registered patent attorneys and agents—may form partnerships and co-own law firms with non-U.S. attorneys without violating the USPTO’s Rules of Professional Conduct. The USPTO guidance was included in the agency’s Final Rulemaking, the purpose
USPTO Confirms Agency “Practitioners” May Ethically Partner With Foreign Attorneys Read More »
The Covid-19 pandemic and very recent societal upheaval have caused unprecedented times of stress and fear throughout all ranks of the legal profession. These difficult times have especially hit hard those who are in law school and are in the earliest phases of their professional careers. On June 18, 2020, at 1:00 pm ET, a
