This Week in IP and AI: What Managers Need to Act On
Four headlines worth your attention: the USPTO updated its AI guidance, TSMC filed suit against Intel, EasyGroup lost a trademark case against "Easihire," and Amgen secured a key appeal at the UPC.
Here's what matters, why it affects budgets and roadmaps, and the moves to make this week.
USPTO revises AI guidance
The patent office is sharpening expectations around AI-assisted inventions-how you document human contribution, disclose AI use, and support enablement. This trend is clear: cleaner records and clear attribution will decide who keeps rights and who loses claims.
- Action: Update invention disclosure forms to capture AI tools used, prompts, model versions, and human decision points.
- Action: Train R&D and in-house counsel on inventorship attribution and enablement for AI-assisted work.
- Action: Review pending filings for AI involvement; fix gaps before examiners ask.
For ongoing reference, monitor the USPTO's AI initiative page: USPTO AI resources.
TSMC sues Intel
Two semiconductor giants are headed to court. If this touches packaging, process tech, or licensing, expect contract reviews, supplier calls, and possible shifts in foundry or tooling timelines.
- Action: Map exposure: product lines, suppliers, and customers tied to either company's tech or licenses.
- Action: Add or tighten IP indemnities and contingency clauses in new agreements this quarter.
- Action: Build a scenario plan for delays or cross-licensing outcomes; pre-wire communications with key accounts.
EasyGroup loses trademark claim against "Easihire"
A reminder that descriptive or weak marks are hard to police without strong evidence of confusion. Enforcement without distinctiveness wastes budget and goodwill.
- Action: Audit your brand portfolio: where are you relying on descriptive marks without proof of secondary meaning?
- Action: Invest in distinctiveness-naming, trade dress, and consistent use-before ramping up enforcement.
- Action: Standardize evidence collection (surveys, misdirected inquiries, traffic data) to support future actions.
Amgen wins a key appeal at the UPC
The Unified Patent Court is becoming a decisive venue for pharma and beyond. A single UPC outcome can shift launch plans across multiple EU markets.
- Action: Update your EU launch and FTO playbooks to include UPC risk and injunction timelines.
- Action: Budget for pan-EU enforcement or defense; central actions cut both ways-fast relief or fast revocation.
- Action: Align regulatory and IP teams earlier; small timing changes can protect years of revenue.
Keep this bookmarked: Unified Patent Court.
Manager's checklist for this week
- Run a 30-minute stand-up with Legal, R&D, and Product on AI-inventorship documentation and pending filings.
- Ask Procurement for a quick readout on any TSMC/Intel exposure in your supply base and mitigation options.
- Greenlight a brand distinctiveness review before your next enforcement push.
- For EU-bound products, refresh UPC scenarios and decision trees for launch, injunction, and settlement.
Upskill your team on AI policy and workflows
If your leaders need practical AI training that fits the day job, explore role-based programs here: AI courses by job.
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