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Mark Stallion Interviewed in Recent Law360 Article about USPTO New Design Patent Bar
On Wednesday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced the establishment of a distinct bar for design patent practitioners. This means that individuals focusing on ornamental designs are no longer required to meet the rigorous engineering and scientific prerequisites typically expected of utility patent practitioners.
Mark Stallion, an attorney in Greensfelder’s Intellectual Property group and a member of the patent bar with a degree in electrical and electronics engineering, welcomes the change, noting that associates, especially in trademark law, can now engage in design patent preparation to enhance their knowledge. Opponents feared the design patent bar would be perceived as a "patent bar lite," potentially harming its members' reputation. However, keeping the same bar examination for both groups addresses this concern. Design patent bar members focus solely on design patents, while original patent bar members can handle all patent types.
Read the full article from Law360 here.