USPTO Changes, Patent Trends, and Judge Newman Through the Lens of Top IP Journalists

Clause 8

From Coke Morgan Stewart’s decisive actions at the USPTO, to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s unexpected “patent tax” trial balloon, to the ongoing Federal Circuit drama — it felt impossible to figure out where to start telling the story.

The only way to make sense of it all was to bring in three of our favorite journalists who cover these issues every day:

* Eileen McDermott, Editor-in-Chief of IPWatchdog

* Dani Kass, Senior Reporter at Law360

* Michael Shapiro, Senior Reporter at Bloomberg

Together, we unpacked the biggest developments, why they matter, and how they’re being covered — with behind-the-scenes stories and candid insights about what it’s like to report on patents and IP.

What We Covered

USPTO’s New Direction

* Coke Morgan Stewart’s rapid moves as acting director — especially at the PTAB

* How she’s balancing speed, decisiveness, and practical limits

Patent Tax Story

* The Wall Street Journal report on a possible tax on patent value

* Lutnick’s role and Stewart’s public comments walking a fine line

Choosing a USPTO Director & John Squires

* Breaking news about John Squires’ nomination and confirmation process

* Early signals of what he’ll prioritize as director

Federal Circuit & Judge Newman

* How practitioner tips shape coverage of the court

* Judge Pauline Newman’s saga — and what it’s like getting to know her personally

On the Hill

* Tillis, Coons, and the shifting dynamics in Congress

* Prospects for PERA (101), PREVAIL (PTAB), and RESTORE (injunctions)

Copyright & AI

* The firing of Shira Perlmutter as head of the Copyright Office

* Pushback against the office’s AI guidance

Behind the Notebook

* How these reporters choose stories and what they wish got more attention

* Why they love covering the IP community, despite all the complexities

* Impact of judges, public officials, and Bloomberg terminal users following their coverage

The discussion reveals how much these journalists shape — and are shaped by — the IP world itself. They’re not just reporting on it; they’re in constant dialogue with practitioners, policymakers, and innovators who live with these changes every day. Judges read their work, practitioners feed them stories, and policymakers react to their reporting.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Intros01:23 – What’s your vantage point in the IP world?17:53 – How do you decide what’s worth covering in IP news?22:49 – What’s the mood in the patent community right now?32:33 – The proposed ‘patent tax’: threat or opportunity?38:02 – The politics behind selecting a USPTO Director54:21 – Final thoughts and advice for the IP community

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