Recent News

After appealing the case to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Forge IP has obtained a reversal of all rejections that were issued for a patent application entitled “Methods and Systems for Delivery of Acoustic Energy to Tissue Surfaces, Cavities and Obstructed Passages such as Intranasal Ostia.”

The application is directed to a device that is inserted into a cavity of the ear, nose, or throat, such as a sinus ostia, to nontraumatically clear obstructions.  The innovative design includes a wand that delivers acoustic energy to the target site, while also delivering fluid with a pulsatile flow.  The Examiner originally rejected the claims, alleging they were obvious over various prior art references.  After an appeal to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the Board issued a decision reversing the rejections.

A Notice of Allowance is expected to issue in due course.

Concluding a successful year, Forge IP obtained a final tally of 79 issued patents in 2018!  These patents have issued in various countries, including the United States, Japan, Brazil, China, Taiwan, Australia, and throughout Europe.  The patented inventions have spanned a wide array of technologies, including electromechanical devices, medical instruments, hydraulic systems, and analytical instruments, as just a few examples.  The last of these patents, which issued on Christmas Day as U.S. Patent No. 10,160,908, is directed to a Method of Soil Conditioning By Application of Water-Soluble Or Water-Swelling Polymer.

Forge IP congratulates all of its clients on whose behalf it has successfully prosecuted these patents, and we look forward to issuing many more patents in 2019!

ForgeIP  is pleased to announce that it has joined LawPact®, an international association of independent business law firms.

LawPact ‘s network of more than 60 like-minded independent business law firms throughout the world is committed to serving clients in all business law capacities, including litigation and transactional work across a variety of industries, and providing legal advice in an efficient, cost effective, and client-friendly way.

As a member of the LawPact® international association of independent business law firms, Forge IP can ensure that its clients are provided with access to seamless legal advice across most jurisdictions in the world, as well as assist other firms in locales where clients need legal help.  LawPact also offers insight into business law firm best practices in client service, financial management, technology, and more. 

For more information on LawPact, visit www.lawpact.org.

After an oral hearing at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Forge IP has obtained a reversal of all rejections that were issued for a patent application owned by client Prismaflex International.

The patent relates to a novel communication board in which a fabric display medium is easily and securely mounted via a hook and loop fastener system.  The innovative design facilitates large, easily-assembled, rugged displays.  The Examiner had originally rejected the claims as obvious over prior art systems for mounting such displays.  Prismaflex filed an appeal, along with a request for an oral hearing, during which Forge IP presented arguments in support of a reversal.  After the hearing, the Board did just that, issuing a decision that overturned all rejections.

A Notice of Allowance is expected to issue in due course.

We are pleased to announce that, in order to expand the types of service we provide to our clients, Forge IP has formed a strategic alliance with brand strategist KGB Consulting, LLC, and its principal, Kathryn Grant Belleau.  Armed with over thirty years of hands-on experience and insight, Kathy is well-versed in assisting companies with brand development, from conception to formal protection, and with the execution of successful marketing and business plans.  With the ability to conduct business in multiple languages, Kathy provides valuable guidance relating to the marketing and communications of any company, including advertising, social media, and promotional materials.

This new partnership further bolsters Forge IP’s already expansive stable of IP-related services.  By adding this additional expertise, Forge IP has ensured that it will be able to adequately meet the evolving needs of our clients, as demanded by today’s rapidly changing marketplace.

During the Spring of 2018, after trial victories invalidating three AstraZeneca patents, Forge IP took part in extensive settlement negotiations on behalf of Apotex to bring a damages trial relating to its generic budesonide inhalation suspension products to a successful resolution.

AstraZeneca originally filed suit against Apotex, alleging infringement of two dosing method patents and a formulation patent relating to the drug Pulmicort Respules. AstraZeneca initially obtained a preliminary injunction that prohibited the launch of Apotex’s generic version of the popular asthma drug, and several hundred million dollars in bonds were secured for Apotex’s lost sales during the term of the injunction. After all three patents were ultimately invalidated at trial and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Apotex sought to collect on these bonds in a damages trial. After successful negotiations, the parties executed a settlement agreement, avoiding the need for trial.

Forge IP is well-versed in both Paragraph IV and non-Paragraph IV pharmaceutical patent litigation. For just a few examples, please take a look at our Hatch-Waxman Disputes.

Dave Aldrich and Todd Oberdick will be attending the 2018 Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association.  Arriving in Seattle on May 19th, we are looking forward to getting together with our colleagues and longtime partners from around the world, as well as meeting new friends to potentially forge some new relationships!  If you’d like to meet, please email Dave (daldrich@forge-ip.com) or Todd (toberdick@forge-ip.com) and let us know!

Having continued to press its case at the Hague, Forge IP has now obtained an allowance for a patent on behalf of client PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc., a global leader in innovative detection, imaging, informatics, and services for scientists and clinicians.

The patent is directed to novel Ion Optical Systems, such as mass spectrometers, that employ an innovative zirconia toughened alumina composition.  The Examiner originally rejected all claims.  After rare oral proceedings at the Hague, the Examining Division ultimately agreed to allow the case.  The European Patent Office has now issued an “Intent to Grant” the patent, which is expected to issue in due course.

Forge IP has secured a Notice of Allowance for a patent entitled “Anatomical Visualization with Electrically Conductive Balloon.”  The Examiner originally rejected all claims, alleging they were obvious over various prior art references.  After an appeal to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, the Board issued a decision reversing all rejections.

The innovative system invented by Forge IP client Sanovas, Inc. employs a novel balloon catheter that has an electrically conductive mesh that forms a grid on the outer surface of the inflatable balloon.  As the balloon is moved and inflated within an obstructed bodily lumen (such as a plaque-laden artery or tumor-compromised airway), changes in an electrical characteristic of each segment of the grid are measured, thereby indicating the diameter at each point around the three-dimensional surface of the balloon.  These measurements are then used to render a 3D visual representation of the bodily lumen on a display.

The U.S. Patent Office has now issued  a Notice of Allowance, stating that all 49 claims are allowed.  The patent is expected to issue shortly.