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Magistrate Judge Figueredo “Shines a Light” on Discovery Standards for Potential Non-Infringing Alternatives

On August 22, 2022, Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo (S.D.N.Y) granted a motion by solar tracker manufacturer FCX Solar, LLC (“FCX”) to compel the production of documents relating to Defendant FTC Solar, Inc’s (“FTC”) development of a “next-generation” solar tracking product....
August 29, 2022

Judge Failla Transfers Case to Delaware Based on “When the Case Was Filed”

On July 20, 2022, District Judge Failla (S.D.N.Y.) found venue to be improper and transferred the TrackThings LLC v. Netgear, Inc. case to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware based on facts as they existed at the...
August 4, 2022

Judge Chen “Backs” Construction of Garment Claims, Albeit with Alterations

On July 15, 2022, United States District Court Judge Pamela K. Chen (E.D.N.Y.) issued a Memorandum and Order setting forth the construction of two disputed terms relating to garments in Shaf International v. First Manufacturing Co. Inc.—those terms being “back portion”...
July 26, 2022

No Two Bites at the Apple: Judge Gorenstein Finds Claim Preclusion Prevents Lawsuit

On June 21, 2022, Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein (S.D.N.Y.) granted Defendant Verifone System Inc.’s (“Verifone”) motion to dismiss the complaint of Plaintiff Chikezie Ottah (“Ottah”) yet again. Ottah alleged that Verifone infringed claim 1 of U.S. Patent No. 7,152,840 (“the...
June 29, 2022

Judge Gorenstein Rules Either Use Objections or Lose Them in Discovery Responses

On May 20, 2022, Magistrate Judge Gabriel Gorenstein (S.D.N.Y.) ruled on several discovery disputes inSure Fit Home Prods., LLC v. Maytex Mills Inc. In a case involving shower curtains, Plaintiff Sure Fit Home Prods. moved to compel production of several categories...
June 1, 2022

Judge McMahon Finds That No Construction Is Necessary: “Period. End of Story”

On May 5, 2022, United States District Court Colleen McMahon (S.D.N.Y.) issued a claim construction decision in a long-running set of patent and trade dress infringement and defamation actions between Plaintiff GeigTech East Bay LLC’s (“GeigTech”) and Defendant Lutron Electronics Co.,...
May 19, 2022

100% Discount on Unpatentable Claims: Judge Liman Holds System for Processing Discounts in Financial Transactions to be Ineligible for Patenting Under Section 101

On May 3, 2022, Judge Lewis J. Liman found patent claims directed to the computerized processing of financial transaction data that splits the transaction cost between payment methods and awards or discounts to be directed to an abstract idea ineligible...
May 9, 2022

Judge Caproni Shelves Infringement Action Concerning Store Partitions Before IPR Institution

On May 2, 2022, Judge Valerie Caproni (S.D.N.Y) granted a motion by international fashion company Chanel Inc. to stay proceedings in a patent infringement action brought by Molo Design, Ltd. pending an inter partes review proceeding that had just been...
May 9, 2022

Magistrate Judge Wicks Stays Litigation Before IPR Institution in Skin-Tightening Dispute

On April 6, 2022, U.S. Magistrate Judge James M. Wicks (E.D.N.Y.) granted Defendant Cartessa Aesthetics, LLC’s (“Cartessa”) motion to stay the litigation pending the resolution of IPRs filed against each of the five asserted patents. Plaintiffs Synkloud Technologies, LLC and Serendia,...
April 11, 2022

Judge Castel Finds Pelvic Floor Strengthener’s Defenses “Hold Up” Against Default Judgment Challenge

On April 5, 2022, Judge Kevin Castel (S.D.N.Y.) set aside entries of default against the defendants in a patent and trademark infringement action between two competing manufacturers of pelvic floor strengthening products. See Flect LLC v. Lumia Prods. Co., No....
April 11, 2022

You Win Some and Lose Some: Judge Koeltl Finds Claims Patent-Eligible But Not Infringed

On March 8, 2022, Judge John G. Koeltl (S.D.N.Y.) denied Defendant Facebook Inc.’s (“Facebook”) motion for summary judgment that the claims of three related patents directed to “storing documents in a chronologically ordered ‘stream’” and “substreams” are invalid, but granted...
March 16, 2022

Judge DeArcy Hall Finds Asserted Claims Indefinite Because “Absorbing” Heat via an Endothermic Chemical Reaction Cannot Mean “Releasing” Heat

On February 24, 2022, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall found patent claims directed to pressure-activated self-cooling mats for pets to be invalid as indefinite in a case filed by The Green Pet Shop Enterprises LLC against Fine Promotions.  Judge Hall focused...
March 1, 2022

Judge Gardephe Declines to “Lock” Down Claim Construction Terms of Computer Padlock Patent

On January 11, 2022, Judge Paul G. Gardephe (S.D.N.Y.) issued a decision declining to construe disputed terms in three patents relating to computer locks.  See Noble Sec., Inc v. ACCO Brands Corp., 2022 U.S. P.Q.2d 41 (S.D.N.Y. 2022). Plaintiff Noble Security, Inc....
January 18, 2022

Judge Gardephe Gives Bytemark a Second Bite Against Xerox

On January 10, 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Paul G. Gardephe (S.D.N.Y.) granted Plaintiff Bytemark, Inc’s (“Bytemark”) motion for leave to file a third amended complaint, asserting two new patents after the prior patents-in-suit had been found invalid, against Defendants Xerox...
January 18, 2022

Judge Failla “Closes the Book” on Patentholder’s Inducement Claim Against Law Firm

On December 10, 2021, Judge Katherine Polk Failla (S.D.N.Y.) dismissed with prejudice a pro se plaintiff’s claim that the law firm Bracewell LLP induced infringement of his patent by providing legal advice to a direct infringer.  See Ottah v. Bracewell...
December 15, 2021

Curtain Wars Continue – Judge Schofield Construes Design Patent Claim Term

On October 14, 2021, United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield (S.D.N.Y.) construed the scope of U.S. Design Patent No. 668,091 (“the D091 Patent”) in a dispute between Sure Fit Home Products, LLC, SF Home Décor, LLC, Zahner Design Group,...
October 20, 2021

You Don’t Belong Here – Judge Ramos Grants Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction and Improper Venue

On September 28, 2021, United States District Judge Edgardo Ramos (S.D.N.Y.) granted Defendant JLC Tech LLC’s (“JLC”) motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction and improper venue. Judge Ramos also denied Plaintiff Shenzen OKT Lighting Co., Ltd.’s (“OKT”) motion...
October 5, 2021

Judge Vyskocil Allows Amino Acid Case to Go Forward Despite “Group Pleading” and “Inconsistent Allegations” of Infringement

On September 27, 2021, U.S. District Court Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil held that plaintiffs Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and Ajinomoto Heartland Inc. had alleged plausible claims for relief for infringement under 35 U.S.C. § 271(g), for inducement of infringement, and for...
October 5, 2021

Judge Preska Allows Laryngoscope Case to Proceed, Albeit With Fewer Claims

On September 2, 2021, United States District Judge Loretta A. Preska (S.D.N.Y.) granted in part and denied in part Defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings in Berall v. Pentax of America, Inc., et al.  All in all, as set forth...
September 30, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge McMahon Sua Sponte Stays Case Until End of Year: “Enough really is enough.”

On August 12, 2021, United States District Court Colleen McMahon (S.D.N.Y.) denied Plaintiff GeigTech East Bay LLC’s (“GeigTech”) motions for a preliminary injunction and to dismiss Defendant Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.’s (“Lutron”) counterclaims, and sua sponte stayed the case until the...
August 17, 2021
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Judge Chen Notes Split in Authority as to Whether Claim Construction is a Dispositive Pretrial Matter

On July 20, 2021, District Judge Pamela Chen (E.D.N.Y.) adopted, in its entirety, Judge Bulsara’s report and recommendation (“R&R”) in Sunscreen Mist Holdings, LLC v. SnappyScreen, Inc. (“Sunscreen Mist” and “SnappyScreen,” respectively) rejecting SnappyScreen’s argument that certain claim language in Sunscreen Mist’s patent...
August 3, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

You Can Keep Your Curtains: Judge Schofield Denies Preliminary Injunction

On May 26, 2021, United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield (S.D.N.Y.) denied a preliminary injunction request from Plaintiffs Sure Fit Home Products, LLC, SF Home Décor, LLC, and Zahner Design Group, Ltd. (collectively, "Plaintiffs"). Plaintiffs allege that Defendant Maytex Mills,...
June 2, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Netburn Grants Transfer Venue Motion

On April 29, 2021, District Judge Sarah Netburn (S.D.N.Y.) granted defendant salesforce.com, Inc.’s ("Salesforce") motion for transfer of venue to the Northern District of California ("the NDCA")—where it is based—pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). This case involves two patents to...
May 5, 2021
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Judge Cogan Acknowledges the Error of Precluding Evidence of Secondary Considerations of Nonobviousness

On April 27, 2021, United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan (E.D.N.Y.) granted Plaintiff Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. ("Leviton") motion for a new trial based on the Court's exclusion of secondary indicia of nonobviousness. In a prior patent lawsuit, Defendant...
May 5, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Oetken Rejects Fee Award Despite Plaintiff’s Failure to Prove Standing

On March 5, 2021, the Federal Circuit affirmed U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken’s (S.D.N.Y.) order dismissing the remaining claims of plaintiff Bobcar Media, LLC (“Bobcar”).  On March 30, 2021, Judge Oetken denied a motion for attorneys’ fees by defendant Aardvark Event...
April 22, 2021
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Magistrate Judge Bulsara “Blocks” Indefiniteness Argument Against Sunscreen Dispensing Patent

On February 26, 2021, United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara (E.D.N.Y.) issued a claim construction ruling in Sunscreen Mist Holdings, LLC v. SnappyScreen, Inc. (“Sunscreen Mist” and “SnappyScreen” respectively) that Sunscreen Mist alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,918,897 (“the...
March 3, 2021
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Magistrate Judge Reyes Recommends Dismissal of DJ Action Against Assignee That Never Owned The Patent-In-Suit

On February 9, 2021, United States Magistrate Judge Ramon E. Reyes, Jr. (E.D.N.Y.) recommended that Sell Below Cost USA LLC’s (“Sell Below”) DJ complaint against Blue Island Holding Group (US) Inc. (“Blue Island”) that United States design patent No. D854,106 S...
March 2, 2021
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Judge Tiscione Rules Patent Misuse Is Purged When Infringement Tainted Lawsuit Is Dismissed

On February 16, 2021, U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione (E.D.N.Y.) recommended granting plaintiff Nationwide Sales and Services Inc.’s (“Nationwide”) motion for judgment on the pleadings as to patent misuse counterclaims asserted by defendant Steel City Vacuum Co. (“Steel City”). Nationwide...
March 1, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Schofield Rejects Application of Rare Equitable Estoppel Defense

On February 9, 2021, District Judge Lorna Schofield (S.D.N.Y.) denied defendant Google LLC’s motion for summary judgment on the defense of equitable estoppel and granted plaintiff Kewazinga Corp.’s cross-motion for summary judgment that equitable estoppel does not apply. This case involves...
February 18, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Hellerstein Upholds Infringement by Microsoft of Kaufman's “And/Or” Patent

On January 25, 2021, United States District Judge Alvin Hellerstein (S.D.N.Y.) denied Defendant Microsoft Corp. ("Microsoft")'s motion for judgment as a matter of law pursuant to FRCP 50(b) or a new trial pursuant to FRCP 59. Plaintiff Michael Kaufman ("Kaufman")...
January 29, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Ramos Finds Forum Selection Clause of NDA Implicates Confidentiality and Not IP Rights and Allows IPRs to Proceed

On January 19, 2021, United States District Judge Edgardo Ramos (S.D.N.Y.) denied Kannuu Pty Ltd. (“Kannuu”)’s motion for preliminary injunction and instead granted Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”)’s motion to stay pending resolution of two instituted IPRs. Kannuu argued that a...
January 26, 2021
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge McMahon Rules Outside Counsel’s Pre-Suit Download of Online Dating App Does Not Bind Party to Arbitration Agreement

On December 15, 2020, U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon (S.D.N.Y.) denied plaintiff Perry Street Software, Inc.’s (“Perry Street”) motion to compel arbitration of defendant Jedi Technologies, Inc. (“Jedi”) patent infringement counterclaim.  Perry Street makes mobile applications, including online dating apps Scruff...
December 23, 2020
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

A Case That Really “Stands Out” in a Crowd: Judge Abrams Awards Attorneys’ Fees Where Plaintiff Ignores Pleading Deficiencies For Three Months

On December 10, 2020, United States District Judge Ronnie Abrams (S.D.N.Y.) granted Oath Inc. (“Oath”) and Quora, Inc. (“Quora”)’s motions for attorneys’ fees under 35 U.S.C. § 285.  Section 285 permits courts to award reasonable attorneys’ fees to a prevailing party in...
December 16, 2020
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Rakoff Sanctions Patentee for Sharing Confidential Documents with Counsel in Overseas Trade Secret Case

On December 7, 2020, United States District Court Judge Jed S. Rakoff (S.D.N.Y.) denied Plaintiff SIMO Holdings Inc.’s (“SIMO”) motion to use four confidential documents in a related trade secret dispute pending in Shenzhen, China, and instead imposed a $40,000 sanction...
December 10, 2020

Judge Brown Disagrees with Both Parties on What the Claimed Invention is and Invalidates Wearable Content Patents Under 35 U.S.C. § 101

On November 19, 2020, District Judge Gary Brown (E.D.N.Y.) granted Defendants Polar Electro Oy and Polar Electro Inc.'s (collectively, "Polar Electro") motion to dismiss for lack of patent-eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101. Plaintiff Interactive Wearables, LLC ("Interactive Wearables") accused...
December 2, 2020
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Judge Glasser Holds Judicial Estoppel Does Apply Retroactively

On October 5, 2020, United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser (E.D.N.Y.) denied plaintiff Alexsam, Inc.’s (“Alexsam”) motion for reconsideration of the court’s June 17, 2020 summary judgment ruling. Alexsam sued defendant Mastercard International Inc. (“Mastercard”) in May 2015, alleging that...
October 12, 2020
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Speedfit’s Treadmill Patent “Runs Into” On-Sale Bar Invalidity Due to Collateral Estoppel Stemming from a Prior Litigation on a Different Patent

On September 21, 2020, District Judge Chen (E.D.N.Y.) entered an order granting Defendants Chapco Inc. and Samsara Fitness LLC’s motion for summary judgment of invalidity of Plaintiffs Speedfit LLC and Aurel Astilean’s U.S. Patent No. 8,690,738 (“the ’738 Patent”), which is...
September 28, 2020
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Furman Sends Video Surveillance Case Packing Because an Employee’s Apartment is Not “a Place of the Defendant” Even Though Defendant’s Website Suggested It Was

On September 18, 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Jesse M. Furman ruled that an employee’s apartment in the jurisdiction did not constitute a place of business of Defendant Safety Vision even though Safety Vision’s website suggested that it was.  Safety Vision,...
September 24, 2020
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Rakoff Refuses to “Ice” Diamond Patent Inequitable Conduct Allegations

On August 31, 2020, United States District Court Jed S. Rakoff denied plaintiffs Carnegie Institute of Washington and M7D Corporation (“Carnegie”)’s motion to dismiss the defendants’ counterclaims for inequitable conduct, holding that the allegations state with particularity a plausible claim. The two patents-in-suit...
September 8, 2020

Judge Netburn Finds Complaint Doesn’t Need to Attach Photographs of Accused Exercise Devices To Adequately Plead Direct Infringement

On August 7, 2020, Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn (S.D.N.Y.) recommended that Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the Complaint of Plaintiff William Araujo (“Plaintiff”) for failure to state a claim under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) be granted with respect to induced...
August 17, 2020
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Judge Woods Zips Up Loose Ends and Readies Zipper Dispute For Trial

On July 30, 2020, U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods (S.D.N.Y.) ruled on a second round of summary judgment motions brought by defendant YKK Corp. and its affiliates (together, “YKK”) against plaintiffs Au New Haven, LLC and Trelleborg Coated Systems...
August 11, 2020

Judge Gardephe Adopts Judge Moses’ Recommendation Regarding Damages

On July 23, 2020, United States District Court Judge Paul G. Gardephe adopted in full the Report and Recommendation (“R&R”) of Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses. The procedural history of the case and analysis of Judge Moses’ report were discussed in...
July 31, 2020

You Can’t Clasp That: Judge Schofield Finds No Infringement Under Doctrine of Equivalents Due To Prosecution History Estoppel

On July 16, 2020, United States District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield granted summary judgment of non-infringement for Defendant Verizon Services Corp (“Verizon”). Pro se plaintiff Chikezie Ottah (“Ottah”) sued Verizon for patent infringement, alleging that Verizon’s Jotto Desk Universal Laptop...
July 27, 2020
Eastern District of New York (E.D.N.Y.)

Judge Matsumoto Holds That “Very Small Side Load” Is Indefinite and That “Retention Element” Is a Means-Plus-Function Claim Limitation

On July 13, 2020, District Judge Matsumoto (E.D.N.Y.) entered a claim construction order construing several claim terms recited in Plaintiff Uni-Systems, LLC’s (“Plaintiff”) U.S. Patent Nos. 6,789,360 (“the ’9360 patent”) and 7,594,360 (“the ’4360 patent”), which relate to retractable roof...
July 23, 2020

You’re Too Late: Judge Torres Finds Party Missed Deadline for Objecting to Award of Attorney’s Fees

On June 22, 2020, United States District Court Judge Analisa Torres ruled that Plaintiff LCS Group, LLC (“LCS”) and its counsel, Stephen Lobbin, and Foundation Law Group LLP, were jointly and severally liable for attorney’s fees in the amount of...
July 7, 2020

Judge Glasser Rules Patentee’s PTAB Arguments Against Standing Doom Breach of License Action

On June 17, 2020, United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser (E.D.N.Y.) ruled on the parties’ objections to reports and recommendations issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen M. Gold, and ultimately granted a motion for summary judgment by defendant Mastercard...
July 1, 2020
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Overdrawn: Judge Oetken Dismisses Reciprocal Deposit Patents under Section 101

On May 29, 2020, United States District Judge J. Paul Oetken (S.D.N.Y.) granted Defendant StoneCastle’s Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss for failure to claim patent eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.[1]  Plaintiff Island Intellectual Property, LLC alleged infringement...
June 10, 2020
Southern District of New York (S.D.N.Y.)

Joint Inventorship Claim for Online Dating Patent Ends in Heartbreak, Attorneys’ Fees Award

After a series of procedurally complex twist and turns that resulted in an agreement by plaintiff to not oppose defendants’ motion for summary judgment, U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer (S.D.N.Y.) granted defendants Lori Cheek and Cheek’d Inc.’s motion for attorney...
May 27, 2020

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NYPatentDecisionsBlog.com is a source for the latest patent decisions from the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. The blog is authored by Patterson Belknap’s Patent Litigation practice group, whose members are highly experienced trial attorneys with extensive technical knowledge. Many have advanced scientific degrees and industry experience in fields such as communications, electrical and electro-optical technology, semiconductor technology, metallurgical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry. The team represents consumer products, electrical and software, medical device, mechanical, and pharmaceutical companies in a broad range of patent litigation matters, including district court cases, PTO and PTAB trial proceedings, patent licensing and contractual disputes concerning patent rights.

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Firm Highlights

Publication
Insider Trading Safeguards Can Mitigate Sports Betting Risk
From sports betting to prediction markets, the phenomenon some call "the casino-ification of America" has captured the American zeitgeist. Sports betting in particular has become ubiquitous since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 decision in Murphy v. NCAA, which opened the door for states to legalize sports gambling. Fans can now regularly bet on games and player performances directly from their smartphones. And, as several recent criminal indictments have alleged, some bettors are capitalizing on their access to inside information to obtain an unfair advantage on their wagers. This article will discuss how, because sports-related inside information continues to become more valuable, organizations including professional sports leagues, governing bodies, college athletic conferences, athletic departments and teams are playing an increasingly prominent role in...
Publication
New Executive Order Regarding IRA Enhancements
Introduction On April 30, 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order (the “Order”) designed to expand access to retirement savings for the tens of millions of American workers who currently lack employer-sponsored retirement plans, including many small-business employees, part-time workers, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals facing barriers to saving for retirement. The Order is designed to complement the Federal Saver's Match enacted under the SECURE 2.0 Act, which provides eligible workers with a federal matching contribution of up to $1,000 for retirement savings, and to promote high-quality, low-cost individual retirement account (“IRA”) access. Key Provisions and Implications The Order directs the Secretary of the Treasury (the “Secretary”) to establish, by January 1, 2027, an informational website (TrumpIRA.gov) that will serve as a...
Firm News
Firm Files False Advertising Lawsuit on Behalf of Danone US
On June 15, 2026, Patterson Belknap filed a false advertising lawsuit on behalf of Danone US, LLC against rival Chobani LLC. To read a copy of the complaint, please click here.
Blog Post
Rest Assured: Pillow Design Patent Survives Inventorship and Invalidity Challenges
On June 7, 2026, District Judge Brian Cogan (E.D.N.Y.) granted Plaintiff Hit Notion LLC’s (Hit Notion’s) summary judgment motion on patent inventorship, on-sale bar, and obviousness, denying a summary judgment motion by Defendant Digitalprints USA Corporation d/b/a Cheer Collection (Cheer Collection) for invalidity based on similar issues and indefiniteness. Hit Notion LLC v. Digitalprints USA Corp., No. 24-cv-7986, 2026 BL 219173 (E.D.N.Y. June 7, 2026). This dispute arose in March 2017 when the parties, both pillow retailers, requested custom pillow designs from the same Chinese pillow manufacturer, MJ Textile. MJ Textile sent the same photo of a sample pillow to both parties, and the parties unknowingly purchased and began selling similar pillows. Id. at *1-2. Hit Notion filed a patent application for...
Firm News
Firm Recognized With Top-Tier Rankings in The Legal 500 2026
Patterson Belknap is proud to announce that the firm has been recognized in The Legal 500’s United States guide as well as in its New York Elite and Private Client guides.    The following firm practices were recognized by The Legal 500: Advertising and Marketing: Litigation – United States Art and Cultural Property – Private Client Cybersecurity and Data Protection – New York Elite Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense – United States Not-For-Profit: Fortune 1000 Private Foundations, National Trade Associations, and Charities – United States In addition, the following firm attorneys received recognition: Anne-Laure Alléhaut in Art and Cultural Property – Private Client H. Gregory Baker in Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense – United States Michael F. Buchanan in Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and...
Event
Justin Zaremby to Speak at NACUA's 2026 Annual Conference
On Tuesday, June 30, Partner Justin Zaremby will speak on a panel at the National Association of College and University Attorneys 2026 Annual Conference titled "Gifts and Endowments 101: Balancing Long-Term Planning with Short-Term Pressure." Mr. Zaremby will join Quinn Williams (General Counsel, University of Wisconsin) and Brittany Cvetanovich (Counsel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to explore the challenges of accepting and documenting charitable gifts and share considerations for managing complex gifting scenarios. To learn more, please click here.
Publication
Employment Law Compliance for Start-Ups
Before you press "go" to launch your next business idea, as a founder and entrepreneur of a start-up company you should address an important (if uninspiring) step: employment law compliance. Complacency now can turn into an expensive distraction later, with the potential to create surprise liabilities and maybe even scuttle future deals. This alert flags core employment law issues every start-up should tackle now so they don't snowball later. Onboarding Compliance Checklist Before work can begin, employers must check an ever-growing number of compliance boxes: Register to Do Business: Register your company in each state where you have employees (e.g., the local departments of tax, labor, state, etc.). Workers' Compensation and Unemployment Insurance: Obtain both in each state where you have employees. New Hire Reporting:...
Blog Post
Retention of Bankruptcy Professionals: Court Concludes that a Debtor’s First Cousin is Not a “Relative” and Thus Not an “Insider”
A professional seeking to represent a debtor under Bankruptcy Code section 327(a) must not hold an interest adverse to the bankruptcy estate and must be disinterested.   A debtor’s insiders often cannot satisfy these tests. The Bankruptcy Code defines “insider” to include a “relative” of the debtor. And a “relative” is someone related to the debtor “within the third degree as determined by the common law." What does this latter phrase mean and how is it applied? In a recent case, a chapter 11 debtor sought to employ an accounting firm under section 327(a). The principal of the accounting firm was the first cousin of the owner of the debtor corporation. The U.S. Trustee objected to the retention, arguing that the debtor’s cousin was an...
Event
Julie Simeone to Speak on Trade Secrets Panel
On Monday, June 29, Partner Julie Simeone will speak on a World Services Group webinar titled "The Invisible Asset: Trade Secrets in US and Canada." Ms. Simeone will join Chantal Desjardins (Partner and Trademark Agent, Lavery) and James Duffy (Patent Agent and Senior Associate, Lavery) for a practical panel on trade secret protection enforcement examining how businesses identify and safeguard confidential information across the commercial lifecycle. To learn more, please click here.
Blog Post
Bankruptcy Court Denies Motions to Convert Case and to Appoint an Examiner
A bankruptcy judge has ruled that a debtor can satisfy the Bankruptcy Code’s rehabilitation standard by selling its assets as a going concern and thereby avoid conversion from chapter 11 to chapter 7. In the same decision, the court denied a motion seeking the appointment of what the movants called an “examiner with expanded powers.” In re Deqser, LLC, Case No. 25-10687, 2026 Bankr. LEXIS 1004 (Bankr. D. Del. Apr. 22, 2026). The debtors operated a laundry business that serviced hotels located in New York City. The business suffered a downturn following an electrical fire at its facility as well as problems with its software. The debtors filed chapter 11 in early 2025. During their case, the debtors lost about $200,000 a...
Publication
Insider Trading Safeguards Can Mitigate Sports Betting Risk
From sports betting to prediction markets, the phenomenon some call "the casino-ification of America" has captured the American zeitgeist. Sports betting in particular has become ubiquitous since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 decision in Murphy v. NCAA, which opened the door for states to legalize sports gambling. Fans can now regularly bet on games and player performances directly from their smartphones. And, as several recent criminal indictments have alleged, some bettors are capitalizing on their access to inside information to obtain an unfair advantage on their wagers. This article will discuss how, because sports-related inside information continues to become more valuable, organizations including professional sports leagues, governing bodies, college athletic conferences, athletic departments and teams are playing an increasingly prominent role in...
Publication
New Executive Order Regarding IRA Enhancements
Introduction On April 30, 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order (the “Order”) designed to expand access to retirement savings for the tens of millions of American workers who currently lack employer-sponsored retirement plans, including many small-business employees, part-time workers, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals facing barriers to saving for retirement. The Order is designed to complement the Federal Saver's Match enacted under the SECURE 2.0 Act, which provides eligible workers with a federal matching contribution of up to $1,000 for retirement savings, and to promote high-quality, low-cost individual retirement account (“IRA”) access. Key Provisions and Implications The Order directs the Secretary of the Treasury (the “Secretary”) to establish, by January 1, 2027, an informational website (TrumpIRA.gov) that will serve as a...
Firm News
Firm Files False Advertising Lawsuit on Behalf of Danone US
On June 15, 2026, Patterson Belknap filed a false advertising lawsuit on behalf of Danone US, LLC against rival Chobani LLC. To read a copy of the complaint, please click here.
Blog Post
Rest Assured: Pillow Design Patent Survives Inventorship and Invalidity Challenges
On June 7, 2026, District Judge Brian Cogan (E.D.N.Y.) granted Plaintiff Hit Notion LLC’s (Hit Notion’s) summary judgment motion on patent inventorship, on-sale bar, and obviousness, denying a summary judgment motion by Defendant Digitalprints USA Corporation d/b/a Cheer Collection (Cheer Collection) for invalidity based on similar issues and indefiniteness. Hit Notion LLC v. Digitalprints USA Corp., No. 24-cv-7986, 2026 BL 219173 (E.D.N.Y. June 7, 2026). This dispute arose in March 2017 when the parties, both pillow retailers, requested custom pillow designs from the same Chinese pillow manufacturer, MJ Textile. MJ Textile sent the same photo of a sample pillow to both parties, and the parties unknowingly purchased and began selling similar pillows. Id. at *1-2. Hit Notion filed a patent application for...
Firm News
Firm Recognized With Top-Tier Rankings in The Legal 500 2026
Patterson Belknap is proud to announce that the firm has been recognized in The Legal 500’s United States guide as well as in its New York Elite and Private Client guides.    The following firm practices were recognized by The Legal 500: Advertising and Marketing: Litigation – United States Art and Cultural Property – Private Client Cybersecurity and Data Protection – New York Elite Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense – United States Not-For-Profit: Fortune 1000 Private Foundations, National Trade Associations, and Charities – United States In addition, the following firm attorneys received recognition: Anne-Laure Alléhaut in Art and Cultural Property – Private Client H. Gregory Baker in Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense – United States Michael F. Buchanan in Dispute Resolution: Corporate Investigations and...
Event
Justin Zaremby to Speak at NACUA's 2026 Annual Conference
On Tuesday, June 30, Partner Justin Zaremby will speak on a panel at the National Association of College and University Attorneys 2026 Annual Conference titled "Gifts and Endowments 101: Balancing Long-Term Planning with Short-Term Pressure." Mr. Zaremby will join Quinn Williams (General Counsel, University of Wisconsin) and Brittany Cvetanovich (Counsel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to explore the challenges of accepting and documenting charitable gifts and share considerations for managing complex gifting scenarios. To learn more, please click here.
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