The United States Patent and Trademark Office Issues Two (2) Memoranda Regarding The Use of Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) has issued two (2) memoranda providing additional clarification regarding the use of Subject Matter Eligibility Declarations (SMEDs) under 37 C.F.R. § 1.132.

Donika Pentcheva Has Been Nominated And Accepted As A Distinguished Member Of Lawyers of Distinction™

Donika Pentcheva has been nominated and accepted as a Distinguished Member of Lawyers of Distinction™. Lawyers of Distinction™ is a legal honorary organization recognizing “the best of the best” in a very competitive legal environment. Lawyers of Distinction™ recognizes excellence in multiple areas of practice in the United States.   Lawyers of Distinction™ Members are selected […]

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#Unveiling New Website Logo

Welcome to this website!

The United States Patent and Trademark Office Updates The Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure

In November 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) updated the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure to– Below is a list of the more significant changes along with the corresponding section of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (“T.M.E.P.”):

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Donika Pentcheva Is Celebrating Her 15-Year Anniversary From Being Admitted To Practice Law

The Motion Picture Association Sends Meta A Cease-and-Desist Letter

It is reported that the Motion Picture Association (“MPA”) sent Meta a Cease-and-Desist Letter over Meta’s announcement that Teen Accounts on Instagram will be “guided by ” PG-13 ratings. See Instagram Got a Cease-and-Desist Over PG-13 Ratings. According to the MPA, the MPA serves as the leading voice and advocate of the motion picture, home […]

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Donika Pentcheva’s Research Involving #IntellectualPropertyLaw Has Been Cited in A #Trademark Case

Donika Pentcheva’s research involving intellectual property law and assets was cited in a trademark infringement case pursuant to the Lanham Act in the California Central District Court. For more information, see Monster Energy Company v. Thunder Beast LLC et al (5:18-cv-01367), California Central District Court.

Europe’s Unified #Patent Court

Do you need a Primer on Europe’s Unified Patent Court? The Unified Patent Court deals with how patents are enforced in Europe. The University of California Berkley’s Center for Law and Technology is currently offering a free Primer on this subject matter. The free Primer is offered until April 1, 2027. By viewing the Primer, […]

#IPLaw&Music&Contracts

#IntellectualPropertyLawInAction Did Tommy Richman’s hit song “Million Dollar Baby,” which debuted Number Two on the Billboard Hot 100, impact one of the establishments mentioned in the song: a karaoke bar located in the State of Virginia called “Queen’s Gambit?” According to the Washingtonian, Glenn Ramirez opened Queen’s Gambit twenty four years ago—the same year Richman […]

#Drafting A #Patent Application

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) is hosting a workshop that will discuss formalities and requirements for drafting a patent application. The workshop is titled “Learn How to Draft A Patent Application.” The workshop is part of a series, titled “Patent to A Patent.” The workshop will take place on Thursday, November 13, […]

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Enacts a New Rule Mandating Electronic Filing for Trademark Submissions

Subject to limited exceptions, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is enacting a new rule that mandates electronic filing for trademark submissions. In particular, trademark applicants and registrants will be required to: File their trademark applications and documents concerning trademark applications and registrations online using the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Electronic Application System; […]

Implications of The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that the USMCA “will be the best and most important trade deal ever made by the USA.”  U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added that “there is no question of course that this trade agreement is much better than NAFTA.” What will be the impact of the USMCA?  The U.S. International […]

U.S. Senators Introduce A Bill to Enforce Design Patents at the U.S. Border

On December 5, 2019, four U.S. senators introduced a bill that would allow Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”) to directly seize goods based on design patent infringement.  The bill is titled the “Counterfeit Goods Seizure Act of 2019.”  Currently, design patents at the CBP can only be enforced by seeking an exclusion order from the […]

Donika Pentcheva Is Recognized as Best Legal Counsel for Intellectual Property Law

Donika Pentcheva is recognized as Best Legal Counsel in 2019 for Intellectual Property Law. Best Legal Counsel uses its own independent criteria, including both objective and subjective factors in determining if an attorney will be recognized in their respective field. The designation is based upon our proprietary analysis and is not intended to be endorsed […]