Heads up! SCOTUS upholds, but limits, assignor estoppel

Description

Abstract: It seems like a simple matter of fairness that an inventor who assigns its patent rights can’t later challenge the validity of the underlying patent. But, as the U.S. Supreme Court recently explained, assignors can do just that in certain limited circumstances. This article reviews the case and the ability of assignors to challenge a patent’s validity. Minerva Surgical, Inc. v. Hologic, Inc., No. 20-440 (U.S. June 29, 2021).