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Allowability of IR&D Costs: Dis-inflation Run Amok

Client Alert | 1 min read | 03.09.11

DOD has issued a proposed amendment to DFARS 231.205-18 (Mar. 2, 2011) that would condition the allowability of independent research and development costs on the reporting of unspecified information about individual projects at least annually and again on completion of projects, using DOD on-line reporting forms. The proposed rule would apply to all contractors with annual IR&D costs in excess of $50,000, an amount that is less than 1% of the threshold in effect in 1990 for reporting IR&D projects under the prior regulatory regime, a mandatory reporting requirement that was completely abolished in 1996.

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Client Alert | 8 min read | 12.11.25

Director Squires Revamps the Workings of the U.S. Patent Office

In March 2025, President Trump nominated John A. Squires for the positions of Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). After being approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 20-2, Squires was confirmed by the Senate on September 17, 2025, by a vote of 51-47 after anti-filibuster measures were invoked. During and after the confirmation process, Squires emphasized several goals for the USPTO during his time as Director. Such goals included:...