Rhetoric may be shifting toward an emphasis on patent quality and enforcement behavior. Originally published by Investor’s Digest. Reprinted with permission. For more than two decades, few terms in intellectual property law have carried as much rhetorical force as “patent troll.” Used to describe entities that enforce patents without manufacturing products, the label has influenced court decisions, …
A New Era for Patent Review: How Inventors Will Be Affected by the USPTO Director’s Reclaiming of Authority in Challenges
Originally published in Inventor’s Digest The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has entered a new chapter that could reshape how American inventors protect their ideas. In October, USPTO Director John Squires reclaimed direct authority over decisions to institute patent review proceedings, including inter partes reviews. (Editor’s note: IPRs allow a third party to challenge the …
USPTO’s Proposed IPR Rule Could Strengthen Patent Validity and Reshape Enforcement Trends
As of October 2025, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John A. Squires has reclaimed authority to decide all patent review institution proceedings. This responsibility was previously delegated to judges at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The USPTO also recently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that could significantly reshape how …