The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) are crucial aspects of the US system of intellectual property protection. The AIA and PTAB reduce the need for patent litigation, reducing costs and generating substantial economic benefits. One type of patent which has been protected involves covered business methods (CBM). CBM patents deal with methods or corresponding apparatus for performing data processing or other operations used in the practice, administration, or management of a financial product or service. (Technological inventions are excluded from CBM.)
The Permian Basin is among the most important oil-producing regions in the world. Drilling and production and the necessary supporting industries generate business activity not only in the region, but across the state and the nation. In order to be in a position to fully take advantage of future opportunities, it is imperative that the underlying capabilities remain in place - the workforce, the infrastructure, the supply chain, the equipment, and the community support systems. Given the current situation, maintaining this viability requires immediate action from governments at all levels and the private sector.
Accurate Census counts are far more than just a matter of interest. They are important to ensuring adequate federal funding for various programs, appropriate representation in Congress, and an understanding of demographic trends in order to plan for the future.
The most recent employment data indicates that the pace of hiring in Texas has slowed. In September, 40,700 net new jobs were added, compared to 111,900 in August. Moreover, the unemployment rate rose and is now higher than the national level. While this slowing is not good news, it was not unexpected.
May and June jobs reports for Texas and the state's largest metropolitan areas were encouraging and reflect the fact that as businesses began to reopen, what was essentially a sound economy before the pandemic responded relatively quickly. Nonetheless, employment remains well below pre-COVID-19 levels. The Perryman Group's latest forecast calls for significant year-over-year losses for 2020, but notable recovery next year. If additional interruptions are required as a result of the recent surge in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Texas, the annual declines will escalate.
The most recent US jobs reports indicate significant gains and decreasing unemployment, but the total increase over the past two months is far below losses during March and April. Moreover, the recent increase in COVID-19 infections may cause the recovery to slow. The situation remains challenging and fluid, and the recovery will likely be bumpy.
Drastic, but necessary, measures to "flatten the curve" and prevent a major spike in COVID-19 infections have involved shutting down much of the economy. The inevitable result has been the loss of millions of jobs and a sudden and unprecedented downturn.
Drastic, but necessary, measures to "flatten the curve" and prevent a major spike in COVID-19 infections have involved shutting down much of the economy. The inevitable result has been the loss of millions of jobs and a sudden and unprecedented downturn.
Drastic, but necessary, measures to "flatten the curve" and prevent a major spike in COVID-19 infections have involved shutting down much of the economy. The inevitable result has been the loss of millions of jobs and a sudden and unprecedented downturn.
The Perryman Group's most recent economic projections for the US and Texas incorporate the potential effects of COVID-19. The forecast calls for significant losses this year, but a fairly rapid recovery is expected once the worst virus issues have passed.