WASHINGTON, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The attorneys who
argued for Teleflex in KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc. held a press
briefing earlier today. Widely viewed as the most important patent case in
40 years, it addresses the fundamental question of when an invention is
"obvious" and therefore not patentable, a question that may affect the
viability of millions of patents valued at many tens of billions of
dollars. Following are a few of their observations on the Court's decision.
    The Teleflex team includes Thomas C. Goldstein of Akin Gump Strauss
Hauer & Feld LLP, counsel of record for Teleflex who argued the case,
Robert Greene Sterne and Kenneth C. Bass, III of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein
& Fox P.L.L.C., an intellectual property specialty firm, Supreme Court
co-counsel. Mr. Bass was second chair for oral arguments. Jeff Sherwood, a
leading IP litigator also with Akin Gump, participated in the press
briefing.
    Thomas C. Goldstein
    "This decision will affect trillions of dollars in investments in
intellectual property, on which the modern American economy rests. There
will be a surge in patent fights during the struggle to decide exactly how
tough the Justices intend to be on securing a patent."
    Kenneth C. Bass, III
    "Unfortunately, the Court did not address the critical need for
evidence of obviousness and instead simply told us that this invention was
obvious to the Court. The decision is specific to this patent and makes the
legal standard extremely uncertain."
    Robert Greene Sterne
    "The practical consequence of the decision is huge on inventors,
existing patent relationships, and the value of patent assets of all
enterprises. Obtaining a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark
Office for an invention will undoubtedly be harder, cost more to pursue and
take more time to reach final decision. So innovators will feel the impact
of this decision almost immediately as the USPTO grapples with how to
implement the decision with its patent examiners."
    Jeff Sherwood
    "Today's decision, by reaffirming a broader standard of obviousness
than was applied by the lower court, will increase litigants' reliance upon
obviousness as a defense in patent infringement trials."
     What:   TELEFLEX COUNSEL PRESS BRIEFING ON KSR V. TELEFLEX DECISION

     When:   1:30 p.m. on April 30, 2007

     Where:  http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=38302

     How:    Listen to the full archived audio.  Simply log on to the web at
             the address above.

     FOR INTERVIEWS WITH TELEFLEX COUNSEL:  Kathryn Holmes Johnson:
     Cell 301-908-8116  Office 202-772-8878  email kholmesj@skgf.com
     or Tammy Mangan: Cell 301-676-3464  Office 202-772-8755  email
     tmangan@skgf.com
    Akin, Gump, Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
    Recognized for its sophisticated clients and capabilities, Akin Gump
Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm dedicated to
providing innovative legal services to individuals and institutions.
Founded in 1945, the firm has grown to be among the world's largest, with
more than 900 lawyers in 15 offices representing regional, national and
international clients in more than 50 practice areas.
    Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
    Strategists and Advisors specializing in the protection, transfer and
enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights. Founded in 1978 and based in
Washington, DC, the firm has over 100 patent attorneys, agents and
technical specialists representing a broad range of clients, including
emerging and established companies, venture capital firms, universities and
select individuals. On the web at http://www.skgf.com.
    Minimum Requirements to listen to broadcast:
    The Windows Media Player software, downloadable free from
http://www.microsoft.com and at least a 56Kbps connection to the Internet.
If you experience problems listening to the webcast, send an E-mail to:
webcast@multivu.com.