Womble Perspectives

Getting inventorship wrong can do more than complicate a patent, it can destroy it. In this episode, we unpack a recent Federal Circuit decision that invalidated two patents after a co-inventor was omitted and couldn’t be added later. Using Fortress Iron v. Digger Specialties as a case study, we explore why inventorship errors arise in collaborative development environments, why some mistakes can’...

Advanced Air Mobility is often imagined as a bold new urban aviation network, but early implementation may look far more familiar. In this episode, we explore why existing public airports are emerging as key early sites for AAM planning and deployment. Focusing on land use, governance, and recent developments in Arizona, we discuss how airport frameworks, statewide planning signals, and sponsor-le...

Today we’re diving into new supplemental guidance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office that could have an effect on how design patents are drafted for digital products. On March 13, 2026, the USPTO published this guidance in the Federal Register specifically addressing design patent applications claiming computer-generated interfaces, icons, and even holograms.  Read the article USPT...

South Carolina lawmakers have just proposed legislation that could significantly affect how social media companies handle consumer data. It’s called the Digital Choice Act and it focuses on data access, portability, and interoperability between platforms. For privacy professionals and legal teams, this will be one to watch.  Read the article Proposed Legislation in South Carolina: The “Digital Cho...

Today, we’re unpacking findings from the 2026 Womble Bond Dickinson Client Survey, which paints a clear picture of where business leaders are right now. Innovation—especially artificial intelligence—is accelerating faster than the rules meant to govern it. And that gap is creating both opportunity and real risk.  Read the article Emerging Tech, Escalating Risks: What Corporate Leaders Reveal in th...

Over the last year, and especially after a recent February decision, the Texas Business Court is quickly becoming a go‑to venue for trade secrets disputes. What’s interesting is that this shift may not stop at trade secrets alone. There are strong signs the court could play a significant role in patent‑adjacent litigation as well.  Read the article Texas Business Court Signals Broad IP Jurisdictio...

Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Jeff Whittle , a partner in our Houston office and Head of our Global Energy and Natural Resources team. The two discuss Jeff’s journey with Womble, his initial leap of faith to join the firm, and his experience in building the Houston office.  More about WBD's Energy an...

Today we’re breaking down a recent regulatory update from the FDA that landed on February 5th, 2026, which deals with how food companies can use the phrase “no artificial colors” on their labels. And even though the laws haven’t changed, the practical impact could be substantial. It’s an update that may seem small on the surface but touches marketing, compliance, and consumer perception all at onc...

Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Michael McCue, a partner in our Intellectual Property group who joined Womble as part of our combination with Lewis Roca in January of 2025.  The two discuss Womble's entrepreneurial approach and his experience since joining the firm. More about WBD's Intellectual P...

Today, we’re looking at a provocative development in reproductive science: selecting embryos based on projected intelligence. Picture this: a couple undergoing IVF is presented with three embryos. They’re told each has a different predicted IQ. Embryo 1, 2, or 3—who’s likely to be the smartest? Read the full article The Intersection of Genetics and Law: Navigating New Frontiers About the author Ch...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a pretty big shift in how lab-developed tests are regulated in the United States. If you’re up on FDA developments, you may have heard that there’s an effort to regulate these tests as medical devices. But a recent federal court ruling in Texas just flipped the script. Instead of agreeing with the FDA, the court basically said, “Nope, lab-developed tests aren’...

Today’s episode is part of our Recruiting Success stories series. Lori Patton, our Chief Recruiting Officer, sits down with Ana Gutierrez , head of Womble's Environmental Practice.  The two discuss leaps of faith and what led Ana to land at our firm. More about WBD's Energy and Natural Resources sector.

Today we’re digging into a potentially groundbreaking legal ruling about AI. It’s the first time a federal court has weighed in on whether chats with an AI tool like Claude or ChatGPT can be considered privileged. Spoiler: the court said no. And this could have implications for businesses and legal teams. Read the full article Client’s Use of AI Not Protected by Attorney Client Privilege About the...

Today, we’re talking about a federal development that’s primed to reshape an entire industry: the booming market for hemp‑derived cannabinoids. If you’ve seen delta‑8 gummies at a gas station or THC seltzers in a mainstream grocery store, you’ve witnessed this explosion firsthand. Read the article Navigating New Hemp Laws: A Major Shift for the Cannabis Industry About the author Jennifer German  

Today we’re unpacking our new Energy Outlook 2026 . This is our fifth global energy sector report, and with insights from more than 650 senior leaders across energy companies, investors, service providers, and energy-intensive consumers worldwide, it paints a fairly comprehensive picture of what’s ahead.  Read more 2026 Global Energy Sector Under Pressure 2026 Energy Report

Today’s episode sits at the intersection of culture, commerce, and creativity, diving into a trademark dispute that’s got both the fashion and music industries watching closely. It’s a case that asks: Can a rock band’s name really confuse consumers into thinking they’re buying luxury jewelry? Read the full article He Has His Heart of Gold…. Why Not a Chrome Heart, Too? About the author Lori B. Coh...

Recently, the White House and the FDA issued statements suggesting a possible connection between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD. These announcements have prompted strong reactions from the scientific community. Organizations like The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The World Health Organization have responded with caution, emphasizing...

Today, we’re diving into a story that’s been making waves: radioactive shrimp. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s very real. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents recently intercepted multiple shipments of cloves and frozen shrimp from two Indonesian islands—Java and Sumatra—that tested positive for Cesium-137. So what comes next? Read the full article FDA Wields Additional I...

Today, we’re diving into a significant development in intellectual property law that’s making waves across the intellectual property sector. On November 28, 2025, the USPTO published new guidance on inventorship for AI-assisted inventions, and it’s a big shift from what we saw in early 2024. The main headline is simple but powerful: there will be no separate inventorship standard for AI-assisted i...

In this episode, we’re diving into a critical topic that deals with the future of energy: spent nuclear fuel, or SNF. And as of right now, the U.S. has more than 91,000 metric tons of SNF sitting in storage with no permanent solution.   That’s a truly staggering number. Especially since about 95% of that material can actually be reused. And through reprocessing and recycling, we could turn what we...

Today we're breaking down a copyright decision out of the Southern District of New York. On January 8, 2026, the court granted Universal Music Group’s motion to dismiss in a case brought by hip‑hop legends Salt‑N‑Pepa.  Read the full article Universal Music Group’s Recent Success in Blocking Section 203 Termination Rights Could Pose a Threat to Artists’ Abilities to Reclaim Sound Recording Ri...

Today we’re diving into a health care policy and focusing in on the Make America Healthy Again Commission, or the MAHA Commission. It launched in 2025, and its recommendations reach deep into pharmaceutical marketing and prescriber engagement. Read the article How the MAHA Commission Could Influence Pharmaceutical Marketing and Prescriber Education About the author Matt Quinn, Ph. D.  

Today we’re unpacking a development from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. On January 16th, 2026, the Board released Notice 2026‑04, an important update for anyone with online gaming products outside Nevada.  And when we say “online gaming,” the Board defines it really broadly. We're talking real‑money gambling over the internet, plus all the systems, platforms, content, and software that powe...

Today, we’re diving into a topic that impacts nearly every voice service provider in the U.S.: robocalls. As 2026 begins, the FCC and FTC are ramping up enforcement, and states are joining the fight.  Read the full article Don’t Leave Your Robocall Obligations Behind in 2026! About the authors Jill Canfield, Esq Peter A. Gregory

Today, we’re taking a look at some changes in the way U.S. businesses invest abroad: the new outbound investment rules under the COINS Act. For decades, U.S. foreign investment laws were all about inbound investments aimed at protecting U.S. businesses from foreign control. Read the article Historic Change in U.S. Foreign Direct Investment: New Restrictions on U.S. Outbound Investment Abroad About...