The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio has adopted new Local Patent Rules that apply to lawsuits involving patents.  The new rules became effective October 22, 2009.  They were recommended by a Local Patent Rules Committee and the Northern Ohio Advisory Group.  The new rules set forth timelines and guidelines for claim construction, discovery and case processing.  They will apply to all newly filed patent cases but could also be applied to preexisting cases upon order of the Court.  The Local Patent Rules are available at: http://www.ohnd.uscourts.gov/Clerk_s_Office/Local_Rules/local-patent-rules.pdf