Tafas v. Dudas et al

Filing 157

Memorandum in Support of 156 MOTION for Leave to File Brief in Support by Washington Legal Foundation. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)Associated Cases: 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ, 1:07-cv-01008-JCC-TRJ(Henry, Kevin) Modified on 12/31/2007 to reflect the title of docket entry (klau, ).

Tafas v. Dudas et al

Doc. 157

Case 1:07-cv-00846-JCC-TRJ

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

TRIANTAFYLLOS TAFAS, Plaintiff, v. JON W. DUDAS, et al., Defendants.

) ) ) 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRJ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

CONSOLIDATED WITH ) ) ) 1:07cv1008 (JCC/TRJ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

SMITHKLINE BEECHAM CORPORATION, et al. Plaintiffs, v. JON W. DUDAS, et al., Defendants.

MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF AMICUS CURIAE WASHINGTON LEGAL FOUNDATION'S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE ITS BRIEF It is within this Court's broad discretion to allow non-parties to participate as amicus curiae. Cobell v. Norton, 246 F. Supp. 2d 59, 62 (D.D.C. 2003). The Court may allow an amicus brief when it is "timely and useful." Waste Mgmt. of Pa. v. City of York, 162 F.R.D.

Dockets.Justia.com

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34, 36 (M.D. Pa. 1995). When the amicus has "unique information or perspective that can help the court beyond the help that the lawyers for the parties are able to provide" or can "offer insights not available from the parties," the amicus brief should be allowed. Cobell, 246 F. Supp. 2d at 62; Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County v. Kempthorne, 471 F. Supp. 2d 295, 311 (W.D.N.Y. 2007). WLF wishes to submit its amicus brief addressing the PTO's proposed rules, which significantly change the terms for applying and receiving a patent in the United States. The Washington Legal Foundation is a non-profit public interest law and policy center with supporters in all 50 states. WLF devotes a substantial portion of its resources to defending freeenterprise, individual rights, and a limited and accountable government. In particular, WLF has frequently appeared in federal and state courts to protect property rights, including intellectual property rights, against intrusion by governments and third parties. See, e.g., Ferring v. Barr Laboratories, 437 F.3d 1181 (Fed. Cir.), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 515 (2006); Brown v. Legal Found. of Washington, 538 U.S. 216 (2003); Phillips v. Washington Legal Found., 524 U.S. 156 (1998). WLF has developed a unique perspective on achieving and implementing the goals of protecting property rights that could be useful in assisting the Court in addressing relevant property rights issues. WLF would submit it brief in a timely manner as ordered by the Court in its Order of December 19, 2007. Accordingly, WLF respectfully submits that its motion for leave to file an amicus brief should be granted.

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Dated: December 21, 2007

Respectfully submitted, By:

_/s/ Kevin Henry__________________ Alan Charles Raul David L. Fitzgerald Kevin M. Henry (45458) SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP 1501 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20005 (202) 736- 8000 [e-mail] Daniel J. Popeo Paul D. Kamenar Washington Legal Foundation 2009 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036 [phone] Attorneys for Amicus Curiae Washington Legal Foundation

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on this 21st day of December 2007, I electronically filed in Case Nos. 1:07cv1008 and 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRL) the foregoing Motion of Amicus Curiae Washington Legal Foundation for Leave to File its Brief in Support of GSK's Motion for Summary Judgment using the CM/ECF system and that service was thereby accomplished on: Elizabeth M. Locke, Esq. KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP 655 15th Street, NW ­ Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20005 [e-mail] and Craig C. Reilly, Esq. RICHARD MCGETTIGAN REILLY & WEST PC 1725 Duke Street, Suite 600 Alexandria, VA 22314 [e-mail] Attorneys for Plaintiffs in Civil Action No. 1:07cv1008 (JCC/TRJ) and Laruen A. Wetzler, Esq. United States Attorney's Office 2100 Jamison Ave. Alexandria, VA 22314 [e-mail] Attorney for Defendants in Civil Action Nos. 1:07cv1008 (JCC/TRJ) and 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRJ) I further certify that on the 20th day of December 2007, I caused a copy of the foregoing to be served by U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, upon: Joseph Dale Wilson, III, Esq. KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP Washington Harbour 3050 K Street NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20007 [e-mail] Counsel for Plaintiff in Civil Action No. 1:07cv846 (JCC/TRJ)

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James Murphy Dowd WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE & DORR LLP 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004 [e-mail] Counsel for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Randall Karl Miller ARNOLD & PORTER LLP 1600 Tysons Blvd Suite 900 McLean, VA 22102 [e-mail] Counsel for Biotechnology Industry Organization and Monsanto Company Scott Jeffrey Pivnick PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP 1650 Tysons Blvd Suite 1400 McLean, VA 22102 [e-mail] Counsel for Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Thomas J. O'Brien MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS 1111 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20004 to'[e-mail] Counsel for American Intellectual Property Law Association Dawn-Marie Bey KING & SPALDING LLP 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 200 Washington, DC 20006 [e-mail] Counsel for HEXAS, LLC, The Roskamp Institute, and Tikvah Therapeutics, Inc Charles Gorenstein BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH LLP 8110 Gatehouse Rd PO Box 747 Falls Church, VA 22040-0747 [e-mail] Counsel for William Mithchell College of Law, Intellectual Property Institute

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Robert Emmett Scully, Jr. STITES & HARBISON, PLLC 1199 North Fairfax St. Suite 900 Alexandria, VA 22314 [e-mail] Counsel for Human Genome Sciences, Inc. Craig James Franco ODIN FELDMAN & PITTLEMAN PC 9302 Lee Highway Suite 1100 Fairfax, VA 22031 [e-mail] Counsel for Polestar Capital Associates, LLC and Norseman Group, LLC Matthew Christian Schruers Computer & Communications Industry Association 900 17th Street, NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006 [e-mail] Counsel for Public Patent Foundation; Computer and Communications Industry Association; AARP; Consumer Federation of America; Essential Action; Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights; Initiative for Medicines, Access and Knowledge; Knowledge Ecology International; Prescription Access Litigation; Public Knowledge; Research on Innovation; and Software Freedom Law Center

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Dated: December 21, 2007

Respectfully submitted, By:

_/s/ Kevin Henry__________________ Alan Charles Raul David L. Fitzgerald Kevin M. Henry (45458) SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP 1501 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20005 (202) 736- 8000 [e-mail] Daniel J. Popeo Paul D. Kamenar Washington Legal Foundation 2009 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036 [phone] Attorneys for Amicus Curiae Washington Legal Foundation

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