In June 2015, the Federal Circuit in Williamson v. Citrix Online overturned a 2004 decision in Lighting World v. Birchwood Lighting concerning functional claiming.1 Some commentators called the Williamson decision “a game changer”2 and “a tremendous step forward to address the scourge of bad patents with functional claiming.”3 Others predicted that it would “have a significant impact for years to come.”4 But, a review of recent district court decisions indicates that the Williamson decision has not yet played a major role in eliminating previously issued patents with potentially dubious claims.
1.31.2017