Using nice round numbers, international adoption is in a free fall and about to hit rock bottom. From its peak in 2004 of 23,000 incoming international adoptions, it has precipitously declined to a new low of 1,000 international adoptions in
Legal Geek 2018
What adoption options do I have for a foreign-born child already in the United States?
We often hear from prospective adoptive families who are caring for a foreign-born child in the United States that the child needs adoption and permanency. The child may have come to the United States on parole or a non-immigrant or…
The Crucial Role of Patent Due Diligence in Mergers & Acquisitions: Spotting Patent Litigation Risks Before Closing a Deal
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) remain a common strategic priority for companies aiming to grow, innovate, or strengthen their market position. However, the complexity of these transactions necessitates meticulous preparation and due diligence. Patent due diligence…
As the tax time draws near:
Our friends at the Internal Revenue Service announced the annual inflation adjustments for tax year 2025, including slight increases for the Adoption Tax Credit and adoption assistance exclusion. This will impact the individual tax returns filed in 2026 and will…
A Looming En Banc Decision with Potentially Damaging Consequences – EcoFactor v. Google
For anyone following the evolving admissibility standards for expert opinions relating to patent damages, the EcoFactor v. Google case is one to watch. In December 2024, the Federal Circuit granted Google’s petition for rehearing en banc to address the…
New Regulations in Intercountry Adoption Become Effective January 2025
New regulations for intercountry adoption became effective January 8, 2025. This change is significant in the world of intercountry adoption and particularly for adoption agencies. The last major change for intercountry adoption regulation was in 2014, with the Universal Accreditation…
Focus on Fintiv: Shift in Patent Office Guidance for Discretionary Denials of Patent Challenges
On February 28, 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that it was rescinding a 2022 memorandum that provided guidance regarding the application of the Apple v. Fintiv decision to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s discretion to deny…
The Role of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Patent Litigation: A New Frontier for Inventorship, Infringement and Validity
As generative artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries, its impact on patent law is raising critical legal questions. From the recognition of AI as an inventor and potential infringement risks posed by the AI-generated outputs to the use of AI…
Apple v. GTP: Reminders and Takeaways from the Federal Circuit’s Recent Precedential Opinion
A recent precedential decision by the Federal Circuit in Apple Inc v. Gesture Technology Partners, LLC, decided on March 4, 2025, has affirmed the Patent And Trial Appeal Board’s inter partes review (IPR) mixed ruling on appeal. The IPR relates…
10x Genomics and Harvard Overcome Patent and Antitrust Hurdles After Settling with Vizgen Inc.
The legal battle between Harvard and 10x Genomics, and Vizgen Inc. came to a halt the other day, February 6, 2025, when the parties notified Judge Matthew F. Kennelly they had reached a settlement. This comes after three days of…