Hunton Retail Law Resource

For many companies, including retailers, filing an inter partes review (“IPR”) is a highly popular avenue to challenge patent validity before the U.S. Patent Office and outside of federal district court. An IPR is often a faster and easier way to challenge a patent than in district court.

In an 8-1 decision, the Supreme Court held in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com that "generic.com" marks may be registered trademarks or service marks when consumers do not perceive them as generic.

While footwear may not appear to be fertile ground for new inventions, many shoe makers have been granted patent protection for the technologies that go into their products. Sometimes, those inventions are rolled out with little fanfare. Others are, literally, flashy.