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SCOTUS to Hear Arguments on Patentability of Software on March 31 – Hear Mr. Wickersham’s Winning Argument from 1980

Placeholder imageAlthough OWE currently focuses its practice on trademarks and copyrights, the firm also has a rich legacy in patent law. 

In 1980, Robert E. Wickersham successfully briefed and argued one of the first software patent cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.  In Diamond v. Diehr the Court ruled in favor of Mr. Wickersham’s client, holding that a machine controlled by a computer program could be patented.  This case will be front and center before the Supreme Court this term as the justices wrestle over what is patentable in two cases: CLS v. Alice and WildTangent v. Ultramercial.

Hear Mr. Wickersham’s argument before what was then a kinder and gentler court – he starts just before the 25 minute mark on the Oyez.org website linked here.

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