Donika Pentcheva Has Been Cordially Invited to An Event At Her Alma Mater

Donika Pentcheva has been invited to an event at her alma mater. The event is focused solely on intellectual property law. Also, it is pretty amazing that one of Donika Pentcheva’s classmates from her alma mater is now the Commissioner of The American Association of Professional Baseball, as shown by the signature on the official […]

Donika Pentcheva Has Been Invited To April’s USPTO Hour, Hosted By The Office of The Commissioner for Trademarks

Donika Pentcheva has been invited to attend April’s USPTO Hour, hosted by the Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks from United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). The USPTO Hour will focus on trademark pendency and register protection. The USPTO Hour will feature the following USPTO Leadership Team Members: Question: What Designer’s dress am I […]

The United States Patent and Trademark Office Issues Interim Processes for Patent Trial and Appeal Board Workload Management

On March 26, 2025, the Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a Memorandum to all Patent Trial and Appeal Board Judges (“PTAB Judges”). According to the Memorandum, decisions on whether to institute an Inter Partes Review (“IPR”) or Post-Grant Review (“PGR”) […]

Donika Pentcheva Has Been Invited to the Nation’s Leading Event for Contract Management, Procurement, and Acquisition Professionals

Donika Pentcheva has been invited to the United States’ leading event for contract management, procurement, and acquisition professionals.

Donika Pentcheva Has Been Invited to An Invite-Only Event At A Top-Ten (10) Law School

Donika Pentcheva has been invited to an invitation-only event at a top-ten law school. The topics will involve discussing “shaping tomorrow.” Feel free to share your thoughts below regarding how you would like to shape tomorrow. I am listening!

Is there an intersection between FDA and intellectual property law?

Donika Pentcheva has been invited to a continuing legal education seminar involving the latest developments at the intersection of FDA and Intellectual Property Law, managed by the Federal Circuit Bar Association Bench and Bar.

What does Easter mean to you?

Please feel free to share in the comments below what Easter may mean to you! On April 19, 2025, while walking into the Mall of America, a complete stranger handed me the following card with money: Happy Easter!

The United States Department of Energy Repeals The Definition of A Showerhead

As part of its implementation of an Executive order, the United States Department of Energy repeals the definition of a showerhead. According to the notice, this final rule withdraws the current definition of showerhead; it does not amend the reporting requirement. The effective date of this rule is May 15, 2025. To obtain the full […]

Donika Pentcheva has “one of the most-viewed profiles” on LinkedIn

Donika Pentcheva was informed by LinkedIn, a business and employment-oriented social network, that she has “one of the most-viewed profiles” on the platform! Thank you, LinkedIn!

Donika Pentcheva Has Been Invited to An Event at One of The Law Firms Referenced in The Show, “Suits”

Donika Pentcheva has been invited to attend an invitation-only Continuing Legal Education Seminar at a law firm that is not only at a top 5 AmLaw 100 Law Firm, but was also referenced in the hit show, Suits.

United States Representative Thomas Massie introduces “Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act of 2020” (H.R. 7366)

On June 25, 2020, United States Representative Thomas Massie (a Republican representing Kentucky’s District Four) introduced in the United States House of Representatives a bill titled “Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act of 2020” (also referred to as H.R. 7366).  If enacted into law, H.R. 7366 would repeal the “first-to-file” system under the America Invents […]

Adding “.com” To A Generic Name Can Create A Protectable Trademark

In an 8-1 majority decision, the United States Supreme Court held that adding “.com” to a generic name can create a protectable trademark. United States Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com B.V. A generic name is the name of a class of products or services. Id. A term styled “generic.com” is a generic name for […]

The Classification of Merchandise by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is Important

Apple filed suit against the U.S. in the U.S. Court of International Trade in which Apple challenged U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s classification of Apple’s iPad 2 Smart Cover under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (“HTSUS”) Subheading 6307.90.98.  Apple, Inc. v. United States, 375 F. Supp. 3d 1288 (Ct. Int’l Trade 2019).  […]

USPTO Will Accept Petitions to Advance Initial Examination of Applications for Marks Used to Identify Qualifying COVID-19 Medical Products and Services

Beginning June 16, 2020, the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) will accept petitions to advance initial examination of applications for marks used to identify qualifying COVID-19 medical products and services.  Because the USPTO considers the effects of COVID-19 to be an “extraordinary situation” within the meaning of 37 C.F.R. § […]