World Science Day for Peace and Development
Suiter Swantz IP celebrates World Science Day for Peace and Development. Today we observe the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging…
Classic Football Patents To Celebrate The Season
The long awaited football season is upon us. Whether you're watching your team from your couch or playing your own game, Suiter Swantz IP wants to kick-off the football season by showcasing some of…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office Fire of 1877
On this day in 1877, the United States Patent and Trademark Office caught fire. While the building was repaired, the fire remains an important part of USPTO history. The fire at the USPTO office on…
Can a Large Patent Portfolio Violate the Sherman Antitrust Act?
Can a Large Patent Portfolio Violate the Sherman Antitrust Act? In a recent federal case, AbbVie Inc. successfully defended a claim for antitrust violations arising from its aggressive patent…
The Patent Behind the LEGO "Toy Building Brick"
On October 24, 1961, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen was granted the patent for the LEGO TOY BUILDING BRICK, U.S. Patent No. 3,005,282. Sixty years ago, Godtfred Christiansen filed a patent application…
The Patent Behind the Iconic Flex-Foot Prosthetic
On October 22, 1985, medical engineer Van Phillips was granted U.S. Patent No. 4547913, for the "composite prosthetic foot and leg," under the newly founded Flex-Foot, Inc. In 1976, when Phillips was…
The Patent Behind Insulin
On October 9, 1923, Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and James Collip were granted the patent for “Extract Obtainable from the Mammalian Pancreas or from the Related Glands in Fishes, Useful in the…
Rake in the Fall Leaves with These Patents
It's officially the first day of fall! For many, this means decorating their home with bright pumpkins and gourds, bringing out their sweaters to prepare for the cooler weather, and enjoying the…
A Brief Patent History of Velcro®
On September 13, 1955, George de Mestral was granted the patent for VELVET TYPE FABRIC AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAME (Velcro®), U.S. Patent No. 2,717,437. George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer and the…
The Best Patent History Post Since Sliced Bread
On August 28, 1928, Iowa native, Otto Frederick Rohwedder was granted U.S. Patent No. 1,682,581 for his “Bread Fastening Machine." Rohwedder's began his work on the invention more than a decade…
Rudolf Diesel's "Internal Combustion Engine"
On August 9, 1898, Rudolf Diesel was granted U.S. Patent No. 608,845A, for his "INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE." Rudolf Diesel, who is best known for the invention that bears his name, was born in Paris,…
Nike Sues Puma for Patent Infringement
Nike, the Oregon based sportswear company, is the largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. Nike was founded on January 25, 1964, as Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. On May 4,…