Luke C. Holst

McGrath North is once again proud to announce that 22 of our attorneys have been recognized by Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in their respective legal practice areas. Additionally, our firm's expertise is showcased with 8 core practice areas ranked for excellence.  

Last week, McGrath North’s Intellectual Property group hosted a CLE seminar titled “Intellectual Property Basics for Non-IP Practitioners" in Sioux City, IA. This educational event helped attendees gain a comprehensive understanding of IP rights.  

On December 6, 2022, McGrath North held its Privacy & Data Protection Summit at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The over 100 attendees from almost 70 companies at the half-day event had the opportunity to hear speakers and panelists, including guest experts from the industry, share insights on key topics including:  

In an effort to provide better access to the U.S. patent system for small inventors, start-ups and those traditionally underrepresented, the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, was recently signed into law on December 29, 2022 which lowers certain patent fees before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). In particular, “small entities” will now receive a 60% discount on patent fees (up from 50%) and “micro entities” an 80% discount (up from 75%).  

On October 18, 2022, the USPTO solicited public comment on “whether the creation of a separate design patent practitioner bar would be beneficial to the public and the Office,” with an eye towards expanding opportunities for women and minorities. Currently there is a single patent bar examination to allow practitioners to file and prosecute both design and utility patents at the USPTO. To qualify to sit for the patent bar exam, practitioners must hold a technical degree in a science or technology field, such as in engineering, physics, chemistry or life sciences. While such educational requirements are often necessary for handling complicated claims and subject matter commonly associated with utility patents, advocates for change however argue that there should be different requirements for practitioners who prosecute only design patents.