Bruce McDonald Archives

Jun 5, 2018

SGR Partner Bruce McDonald Published in Two Peer-Reviewed Journals

SGR Partner Bruce McDonald is the lead author on two articles appearing in peer-reviewed journals involving international intellectual property and legislative initiatives in the Russian Federation to restrict the scope of patent and data protection in the pharmaceutical sector. One of the articles is in the current issue of the AIPLA Quarterly Journal and appears here; the Russian-language parallel text is available here. The other article deals with regulatory data protection and is appearing in the current issue of The International Lawyer, a publication of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, and is available here; the Russian-language parallel text… Read more

Apr 18, 2018

National Grange Victorious in Vacating Satisfaction of Judgment

On April 17, 2018, the Eastern District of California set aside a partial satisfaction of judgment at the request of client the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (the “National Grange”) when it came to light that an attorney fee award had been improperly paid with monies belonging to the National Grange’s chartered California chapter. Jim Bikoff and Bruce McDonald argued for the plaintiff at the April 16 hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Shubb. Two years prior the National Grange had been awarded attorneys’ fees of approximately $240,000 based on Defendant California Guild’s deliberate and willful violation… Read more

Mar 29, 2018

SGR Client National Grange Successful in Trademark Infringement Case

In March 2013, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (“National Grange”) brought an action for trademark infringement and unfair competition against the California Guild (“California Guild”), previously trading as the California State Grange. On July 14, 2015, the District Court for the Eastern District of California granted the National Grange’s Motion for Summary Judgment, and the final judgment was entered on September 30, 2015. Then, on August 20, 2016, the District Court granted the National Grange’s motion for attorneys’ fees, and on September 12, 2016, the District Court ordered the California Guild to pay $144,715.70 in… Read more

Feb 15, 2018

Russian Roadmap for Competition in Healthcare Targets Innovative Drug Developers and Pharmaceutical Patents

On January 12, 2018, the Russian Federation published an ambitious Roadmap For Development of Competition in Healthcare, including the latest shot across the bow of innovative drug developers, who are bracing for the possible loss of antitrust immunity, the establishment of procedures for compulsory licensing of pharmaceutical patents, the loss of exclusivity to data in applications for registration of pharmaceuticals, and other measures. Legislative initiatives to limit the scope of patent protection for pharmaceutical products are driven by the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) but opposed by the Ministry of Health and the Russian patent and trademark office (“Rospatent”). At least… Read more

Apr 27, 2017

SGR Partner Bruce McDonald Co-Chairing Annual American Bar Association International Law Meeting

SGR partner Bruce McDonald is co-chairing the annual Spring Meeting of the American Bar Association Section of International Law this year at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., April 25 – 29, 2017. The ABA Section of International Law has over 20,000 members and is one of 27 sections and divisions of the ABA. The Section has approximately 60 committees and publishes The International Lawyer, one of the oldest and best known quarterly journals on international law. Currently there are more than 1,000 attorneys from around the world registered for the Spring Meeting, with several hundred more expected. In 2008,… Read more

Mar 14, 2017

Order Granting Motion for Assignment Order for National Grange

SGR has secured another victory for client the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (“National Grange”) that will significantly advance its collection efforts for a $144,715.70 attorney fee award owed by the California Guild. On March 9, 2017, Judge Shubb of the Eastern District of California granted the National Grange’s Motion for Assignment Order, holding that that membership dues owed by the Guild’s 83 local chapters and loan repayments from four local chapters are to be paid directly to the National Grange to satisfy the attorney fee award. The basis of the National Grange’s attorney fee award… Read more

Mar 8, 2017

National Grange Succeeds in Opposing NEWGRANGE PRESS Application Based on Prior Trademark Rights

Victory at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board On February 16, 2017, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Board) sustained our client’s, the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, opposition of the trademark application for the mark NEWGRANGE PRESS based on a finding a likelihood of confusion. National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry v. Mulejewels Publ’ns Ltd., Opp. No. 91222078 (T.T.A.B. 2017). The National Grange is the nation’s oldest general farm and rural public interest organization and has chapters nationwide. The National Grange owns numerous trademark registrations, including registrations for GRANGE covering “newsletters, brochures,… Read more