From patent reform to increased filings, there have been several major developments in patent law this year, including the creation of a 10-year district court patent pilot program.

Through this program, several federal districts were selected to serve as specialized patent courts in an effort to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges. Patent cases will continue to be randomly assigned to judges in federal court as usual, however, judges now have the option of declining the case and sending it to one of the specialized patent courts.