EARLY BIRD RATE ENDS TODAY TO ATTEND IPO’S ANNUAL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 27-29 IN TORONTO, CANADA
Today, July 31, is the final day to register for IPO’s Annual Meeting at the “early bird” discounted rate. This year’s meeting will take place in Toronto, ON, Canada from September 27-29, 2026. The must-attend event brings together IP professionals from corporations, law firms, government, academia, and service providers from around the world to discuss strategies, trends, and best practices. The meeting offers a mix of educational programs, committee meetings, networking opportunities, and exhibits. Attendees can choose from 30 education sessions that covering patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, trade secrets, AI, corporate IP management, and more. Visit the website to view the full program and to register.
MONTHLY ROUNDUP FOR JULY 2026
Welcome back to the Monthly Roundup, a note published on the last business day of each month. Each installment shares the month’s most-read story, highlights from IPO you might have missed, and teasers about things to come. We welcome your feedback!
Most-Read This Month
The most-clicked story this month was the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on patent eligibility reform, “From Genes to Machines: The Patent Eligibility Debate,” held July 14. It marked the first time the full Committee, rather than sponsor Senator THOM TILLIS’s Intellectual Property Subcommittee, has taken up the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (S. 1546/H.R. 3152). Witnesses included former USPTO Director ANDREI IANCU, CCIA Head of IP Policy JOHN LEE, molecular pathologist DEBRA LEONARD, and Alliance for Aging Research President & CEO SUE PESCHIN, with testimony evenly split between support and opposition.
In Case You Missed It
IPO attended the Sixty-Eighth Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland, with Executive Director JESSICA LANDACRE and Senior Director for Global Affairs TOM VALENTE representing IPO in meetings with WIPO Director General DAREN TANG and Group B+. Among other things, IPO presented at a side-event on global IP digital solutions about the costs of the current patent assignment process.
Shortly following the meetings, IPO celebrated the USPTO’s launch of an International Patent Assignment Initiative, a cross-functional “tiger team” to modernize cross-border patent assignment administration. Director JOHN SQUIRES said the effort would leverage existing tools rather than pursue new treaty obligations. Members with examples illustrating the need for a global assignment system are encouraged to send them to Tom Valente.
Just For Fun
Flashback to July 2016: GAO dropped two studies (and a survey) on USPTO patent quality, recommending everything from clearer glossaries to more examiner search time. That same month, IPO filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in SCA Hygiene v. First Quality Baby Products, arguing that laches should still bar patent damages claims within the six-year statutory period because Petrella‘s copyright reasoning doesn’t apply to patent law, Congress intended laches to survive the 1952 Patent Act, and preserving the defense protects fairness and innovation incentives.
The Court didn’t bite, but it’s a fun reminder that this month’s headlines will be next decade’s flashback.
On the Horizon
The 2026 IPO Annual Meeting is shaping up to be a big one. In addition to two full days of CLE programming, the meeting will feature a full slate of committee open houses that are open to all members. Check the schedule for agendas and materials when the Annual Meeting launches before the meeting and drop in on whatever catches your eye.
Have an idea or a proposal for Daily News? Email Samantha Grover samantha@ipo.org or submit at ipo.org.
INDIA IP WATCH: DELHI HIGH COURT SETS ASIDE PATENT REFUSAL FOR FAILURE TO CONSIDER APPLICANT’S WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
By Vidisha Garg, Anand and Anand
In a procedurally significant ruling relevant to all patent applicants before the Indian Patent Office, the Delhi High Court in The Nippon Signal Co., Ltd. v. Assistant Controller of Patents & Designs [C.A.(COMM.IPD-PAT) 84/2024] set aside a Controller’s refusal order for lack of inventive step under Section 2(1)(ja), holding that non-consideration of an applicant’s written submissions is by itself sufficient ground for remand.
The application concerned a redundant train control device featuring a novel coordinated active-standby architecture. The Controller refused grant citing prior art, concluding the invention was obvious to a person skilled in the art without considering detailed distinctions raised by the applicant in its FER response and post-hearing written submissions.
The Court found the refusal order legally unsustainable on two critical grounds:
On procedural obligation, a Controller’s order must be reasoned and must engage with all material submissions made by the applicant. Blanket reliance on prior art without addressing the applicant’s specific technical distinctions violates principles of natural justice. Non-consideration of written submissions alone warrants remand, reaffirming Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica v. Controller of Patents (2024).
On inventive step analysis, the Controller must apply the “would-not-could” test. The question is not merely whether a skilled person could modify prior art to arrive at the claimed invention, but whether they would be motivated to do so. Obviousness cannot be concluded by isolating individual components or by mere field-of-use adaptation of known technology.
Key Takeaway for All Applicants: file detailed, structured post-hearing written submissions. Indian courts have now consistently held that Controllers cannot ignore them without providing reasons.
CONNECT WITH LEADERS ACROSS THE IP COMMUNITY ON DECEMBER 15
Purchase your ticket or become a sponsor for the 2026 IPO Education Foundation Awards Celebration in Washington, DC. Support IPOEF and join the IP community for an inspiring evening! The annual Awards Celebration is an opportunity to connect with IP practitioners, professionals, government officials, innovators, and supporters from around the world. Join us on December 15 to celebrate the people and ideas advancing innovation while supporting IPOEF’s mission of promoting the value of and appreciation for IP. For questions or more information, visit IPOEF.org or contact foundation@ipo.org.
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IP-RELATED WORD MEDLEY (CONT.)
“Asserted” Claims ─ Patent briefs and court opinions over-use the word “asserted.” List the asserted claims in the beginning. After that, don’t say, for example, “asserted claim 1.” You’ve already said claim 1 is asserted.
“Google It” ─ This week the New York Times published an article titled, “Saying ‘Google It’ Makes You Sound Old. Search It Up!” According to the NYT, kids these days aren’t talking about “Googling” things. They’re saying “search it up.”
Law Firm Names ─ The firm SMART & BIGGAR, an IPO member with roots dating back to 1890, is sponsoring the Monday evening event at the IPO Annual Meeting in Toronto. People wonder whether the firm would be even bigger if co-founder Oliver M. Biggar’s name (a geographic place name) had been “Bigger”.
More IP Words ─The 7th edition of the pocket version of Black’s Law Dictionary is now available. It’s on Amazon for $44.95.
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The Curmudgeon