We are pleased to announce the 2020 Patent Progress writing competition.
This competition, open to current law students, solicits scholarship regarding patent law. This year’s general topic is new issues in patent law and policy related to the trend towards complex multi-component products. Examples of such issues include apportionment of damages, the smallest saleable patent practicing unit, and design patentAs distinct from a utility patent. A design patent protects only the ornamental design or appearance of an article of manufacture, but not its structural or functional features. An ‘article of manufacture’ is a broad term which may extend even to computer icons. Like utility patents, design patents must be nonobvious but this standard is harder to apply to designs. damages for partial designs.
The winner of the competition will receive $1,000 in cash and may be asked to present a shortened version of their paper on Patent Progress. Full rules are available on the competition’s home page.