In This Issue:

Experience with the USPTO’s First Action Interview Program; “Patent Trolls” Beware – Congress Tackles Vexatious Patent Litigation; Evolving Data Protection Regimes in the Asia-Pacific Arena and Their Impact on Litigation: Overview of International Policies Governing Cross-Border Data Transfer; The Blurred Lines of Copyright Infringement of Music Become Even Blurrier as the Robin Thicke v. Marvin Gaye’s Estate Lawsuit Continues; and Build Your Brand Without Bullying.

Excerpt from Experience with the USPTO’s First Action Interview Program -

On May 5, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office kicked off a new program intended to give applicants and examiners an opportunity to discuss the substance of a patent application before a formal, written examination report is mailed to the applicant. Dubbed the First Action Interview Pilot Program, it requires that the applicant electronically file, at least one day before the first action on the merits is mailed, a Request for First Action Interview.