On June 4, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc. While the Court reaffirmed existing law on pleading standards, it reversed the Federal Circuit’s decision that had focused on how relevant statements could be understood by medical providers as instructions to infringe. The amicus brief filed by AIPLA on March 27, 2026, advocated for affirmance and cautioned the Court not to change the patent infringement pleading standard or adopt any categorical exemption from inducement for a particular industry.

Arlington, VA. May 12, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments to the USPTO on its Supplemental Guidance for Examination of Design Patent Applications Related to Computer-Generated Interfaces and Icons, issued on March 13, 2026.

Arlington, VA. May 1, 2026 – The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) submitted comments in response to the U.S. Copyright Office’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on adjustments to its fee schedule.

On June 4, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. v. Amarin Pharma, Inc. While the Court reaffirmed existing law on pleading standards, it reversed the Federal Circuit’s decision that had focused on how relevant statements could be understood by medical providers as instructions to infringe. The amicus brief filed by AIPLA on March 27, 2026, advocated for affirmance and cautioned the Court not to change the patent infringement pleading standard or adopt any categorical exemption from inducement for a particular industry.

On March 25, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Cox Communications, Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment. The majority opinion limits contributory liability to situations where a party intended that its service be used for infringement, either by affirmatively inducing infringement or by selling a service tailored to infringement. A concurring opinion by Justice Sotomayor argues that the material contribution test should be retained, and that other forms of secondary liability can be found, which is consistent with the position asserted by AIPLA in its amicus brief filed on September 5, 2025. To read the opinion of the Court, please click here.

On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed John A. Squires as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.