Welcome to Skilled in the Art. I'm Law.com IP reporter Scott Graham. Here's what's cracking this week:

•  Stanford law professor Mark Lemley tells the Federal Circuit it's time to throw out a 40-year-old design patent precedent. The Federal Circuit is looking for some reason, any reason, not to.

• The Federal Circuit will not intercede—at least not now—into Judge Connolly's investigation into patent ownership, litigation funding and compliance with his standing orders.