Patent And Trademark Bulletin

Originally published February/March 2009

A reporter on recent patent and trademark opinions from the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts

In February and March 2009, the District Court addressed the following issues related to patent and trademark law: jurisdiction; infringement and the doctrine of equivalents; interpretation of releases; sponsored links and "use" of trademark; and initial interest confusion.

PATENT

American Medical Systems, Inc. v. Biolitec, Inc., C.A. No. 08-cv-30061-MAP, 2009 WL 820263 (D. Mass. March 26, 2009) (Ponsor, D.J.) [Jurisdiction].

The District Court (Ponsor, D.J.) granted Defendant Biolitec AG's motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction disposing of claims of patent infringement, false advertising, and unfair competition brought by Plaintiff American Medical Systems, Inc. ("AMSI").