Today is status conference day for another batch of forty or so patent cases in Marshall - better known as "cattle call" locally - where each receives Markman and trial dates.
This morning Judge Ward opened court by recalling Mark Twain's famous quote that "the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" and stating that the rumors he's been hearing about his retirement have been exaggerated as well. He noted that the earliest he can retire is October 1, 2011, but that he does not intend to retire on that date, although at some point subsequent to that he does intend to take senior status (not retire). But he has promised Judge Folsom (who will become chief judge in the near future) that he will remain at his post to help with the patent docket. He then mentioned that "due to Mr. Smith's blog" he expected that word would be out by the end of the day, so here it is.
The funny part is that immediately after Judge Ward's comments the assembled attorneys then proceeded to consent to have Judge Everingham hear five of the first six cases called.