HSML Attorney Doug Mueller Named to 2008 Minnesota Super Lawyers List
Partner Doug Mueller is currently listed among the 2008 Minnesota Super Lawyers, which features the top attorneys in the state. Minnesota Super Lawyers will be published in a special section of the August 2008 issues of Minnesota Law & Politics, Twin Cities Business and Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. The 2008 Minnesota Super Lawyers list currently appears on the web at www.superlawyers.com.

USPTO Publishes Final Rules Package Changing Continuing Application Practice & the Examination of Claims
On August 21, 2007, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published the long awaited rules package announcing changes to a number of areas of patent practice.

U.S. Supreme Court rules on infringement abroad in Microsoft Corp. v. AT&T Corp.
On April 30, 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Microsoft Corp. v. AT&T Corp., and overturned a Federal Circuit decision that Microsoft infringed an AT&T patent for a computer loaded with speech compression software under patent code section 271(f)(1). In reversing the Federal Circuit, the Supreme Court did not interpret Section 271(f)(1) expansively, and held that Microsoft did not infringe. Please use link below for more information.
Microsoft v AT&T (PDF format)

U.S. Supreme Court decides obviousness in KSR Int’l. Co., v. Teleflex Inc. et al.
In a recent opinion, KSR Int’l. Co., v. Teleflex Inc. et al., (“KSR”), the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the Federal Circuit’s rigid use of its “teaching, suggestion, or motivation” (TSM) test in determining obviousness. In the opinion, the Court reaffirmed a flexible and expansive approach to the factors recognized in Graham. The Court went on to state that while the TSM test is not to be used as a rigid rule, the test is still a useful tool for helping to determine obviousness under the Graham framework. Please use link below for more information.
KSR v Teleflex (pdf)

HSML Partner Doug Mueller Travels to Japan
As part of its commitment to its international practice, HSML attorneys regularly travel to various countries on client matters and to learn about developments in the laws and businesses of the various countries. In late July/early August partner Doug Mueller traveled to Japan and met with several of Japan’s leading intellectual property law firms and corporate patent departments.

HSML Partner Jim Larson to Participate in the Minnesota Trade Mission to India
Jim Larson will participate in Governor Tim Pawlenty’s trade mission trip to India. The 30-member delegation of Minnesota business executives will travel to New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai October 20-27, 2007 for a series of market and industry presentations, networking events, roundtable discussions and one-on-one business events with potential Indian customers to explore trade and investment opportunities.

Updated November 20, 2007: Minnesota Trade Mission to India - Jim Larson recently returned from the State of Minnesota Trade Mission to India headed by Governor Tim Pawlenty. The delegation visited New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai from October 20-27, 2007.
Click on this link to view a photograph of the delegation.

HSML Ranked 111th in U.S. Trademark Firms
In the May 2007 edition of Intellectual Property Today, intellectual property law firms are ranked according to the number of trademark registrations they obtained for their clients in 2006. HSML showed a 119% increase over 2005 in obtaining 70 trademark registrations and was ranked 111th nationwide.

HSML Partner Attends AIPLA Spring Meeting in Boston
Jim Larson attended the AIPLA Spring meeting in Boston on April 9-11. Updates on proposed substantive patent law reform and USPTO rule changes were discussed, along with the recent KSR v. Teleflex Supreme Court decision. Please contact Jim with any questions regarding these topics.

HSML Ranked in Top 75 U.S. Patent Firms
Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. was ranked in the top 75 U.S. patent firms for utility patents issued in 2006. These findings were published in the March, 2007 edition of Intellectual Property Today.

HSML Attorneys to Attend INTA in Chicago
HSML attorneys Curt Hamre, Mike Schumann and Kris Foudray will be attending the 129th Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association (INTA) in Chicago, Illinois from April 28 to May 2, 2007.

HSML Attorneys Travel to Korea
HSML attorneys regularly travel to various countries on client matters and to learn about development in the laws and businesses of the various countries as part of its commitment to its international practice. In late March/early April partner Curt Hamre and associate Alex Kim traveled to Korea to meet with several of Korea’s leading intellectual property law firms. The HSML attorneys were well received and Alex acted as interpreter in each of the various meetings.

NAPABA New Attorney Reception Hosted by HSML
On February 15, 2007 HSML hosted the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) New Attorney Reception at its offices.

HSML Hosts Delegation from Georgia
On February 5, 2007 HSML hosted a delegation of six representatives from the Republic of Georgia. Lunch was provided and HSML partners gave a presentation regarding intellectual property (IP) issues and potential changes to U.S. IP laws. The delegation was in Minnesota as part of a national program to meet with local professionals to discuss international crime including IP rights and developing legislation designed to protect IP. This event was coordinated by the Minnesota International Center (MIC).

HSML Attorneys Attend International Conference in China
In January, 2007 attorneys Mike Schumann, Christy Yang and Alex Kim attended the International Conference on Integration and Commercialization of Micro- and Nanosystems held in Sanya, Hainan, China. They gave a presentation entitled “Rewards and Benefits of Using the Patent System.”

HSML Hosts Chinese Delegate Event
On November 7, 2006 HSML hosted a delegation of Chinese Provincial Officials of the State Administration of Taxation.

HSML Lunchtime Seminar on China IP Protection
The May 25, 2006 HSML lunchtime seminar entitled "Intellectual Property Protection in China" was well attended. At the time of the seminar, we were still waiting to hear back from the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education regarding our request for approval of one standard CLE credit. We recently received notification that our course has been approved by the Minnesota State Board of Continuing Legal Education for one hour in the following category of credit: standard continuing legal education. If you would like to receive notices regarding future HSML seminars, please email your contact information to lramsey@hsml.com.

HSML Attorneys Attend LES, INTA & AIPLA Conferences
As part of HSML’s commitment to its professional development, its attorneys regularly attend various conferences and meetings to learn about developments relating to intellectual property. In May 2006, Jim Larson attended the annual AIPLA meeting in Chicago. Also in May, Curt Hamre, Mike Schumann and Kris Foudray attended the INTA Conference in Toronto. In April 2006, Curt Hamre and Kris Foudray attended the LES International Seoul Conference in Korea.

HSML Partner Speaks at Investment Conference
On March 23, 2006, Curtis Hamre spoke and was a participant in the “Due Diligence” portion of the “Angel Investing - An Overview” conference sponsored by RAIN Source Capital, Inc., and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. RAIN funds are locally established around Minnesota and other states by local investors with the help of RAIN Source Capital, Inc. RAIN funds provide seed and growth equity capital for emerging companies. Investors in RAIN funds are known as “angels.”

HSML European Lunchtime Seminar
The European IP Strategy Seminar held on April 19, 2006 at the offices of HSML was another successful HSML seminar and well received. If you would like to receive notices regarding future HSML seminars, please email your contact information to lramsey@hsml.com.

HSML Attorneys Travel Internationally
As part of HSML’s commitment to its international practice, its attorneys regularly travel to various countries on client matters and to learn about developments in the laws and business of various countries. In March 2006, Mike Schumann traveled to China. In early April, Curt Hamre and Kris Foudray traveled to Japan and Korea. Later in April, Jim Larson traveled to India. Doug Mueller is traveling to Japan in late May.

HSML sponsors NAPABA retreat at Rainbow Resort
HSML was one of the sponsors for the National Asian Pacific Bar Association (NAPABA) at Rainbow Resort March 17-19, 2006. Roughly 30 NAPABA members, family and friends participated in this wonderful event. The retreat has been held annually at Rainbow Resort for the last five years.

HSML Launches IP COMMERCE CENTER
HSML recently introduced the IP COMMERCE CENTER on our website. The IP COMMERCE CENTER allows HSML clients to list IP and IP-related rights and opportunities that they may want to make available to others or IP that they are seeking from others. The IP COMMERCE CENTER is currently being offered only to clients of HSML and is offered as a FREE service. If you would like more information about the IP COMMERCE CENTER or about placing a listing on the IP COMMERCE CENTER, please contact us.

HSML Participates in Minnesota Trade Mission to China
Mike Schumann recently returned from the trade mission to China. The trade mission visited four cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong & Shenzhen. The trade mission was a great success and will help to build further bridges between China and Minnesota in the areas of trade & investment, education, culture, friendship and understanding, and humanitarian endeavors. The issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and their enforcement was a common topic in the various presentations and meetings regarding doing business with China.

HSML to Coordinate Patent Annuity Payments for Clients
HSML will manage and make patent annuity payments for clients. As a result, HSML can handle maintenance and renewal of a company’s entire intellectual property portfolio.

HSML China Lunchtime Seminar Well Received
The HSML seminar held on November 4th regarding “China Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Enforcement” was well received. If you would like to receive notices regarding future HSML seminars, please email us your contact information.