Federal Judiciary

Patent Venue Update: AIPLA Spring 2010 seminar

By Michael C. Smith

Wednesday and Thursday were the days from hell, travel-wise, as I went from Marshall to New York and back in 37 hours to present the patent venue update paper at the AIPLA spring seminar in New York City (its fourth presentation in slightly modified formats since January, by the way - seems to be some interest in the topic). 

The rush was because I left late since I didn't think I was going at all due to a jury selection in a case that settled Tuesday, and I had to hurry back for a batch of patent case status conferences with Judges Ward and Everingham this morning in Marshall.  22 hours out of 37 traveling is an interesting way to spend a couple of days, but at least I got to knock out a bunch of the Teaching Company lectures I like to listen to (three Introduction to Judaism, eight History of the Catholic Church, two Wisdom of History and two St. Augustine, as well as a paperback novel, The Moses Stone by James Becker).  (I'm on a religious history reading kick at the moment, in case it isn't obvious).  I may have listened to some music, but frankly, I don't remember (and I'm increasingly confused as to whether I'm Catholic or Jewish - guess I'll find out when I see where I show up for services this weekend).  Reviews of all of the above will be on my personal weblog Puttering in the Study as I finish them.

The patent venue paper goes back into the stable, pending updating with the next batch of district and appellate court cases citing In re Volkswagen, so don't ask.  As I told the audience in New York yesterday, the issue of venue in patent cases is a little like Texas weather - if you don't like it, stick around fifteen minutes, and it will probably have changed again.

Full post as published by Eastern District of Texas Federal Court Practice on May 07, 2010 (boomark / email).