Speculation not required: IP litigation in 2006 produced $3.4 billion Contrary to the statement in the previous post, apparently speculation is not required to determine the amount of money that changed hands as a result of intellectual property litigation in 2006. According to a survey [subscription required to view full story] by IP Law 360, intellectual property litigation resulted in a combined $3.4 billion in […] Continue Reading →
Patent cases in 2006 result in over $1 billion in damages awarded According to a study released by Bloomberg, United States juries in patent cases awarded a total of over $1 billion in damages in cases that went to jury trial in 2006, the largest single year ever. The largest award went to Rambus, a California maker of computer memory chips, who won a $307 million verdict […] Continue Reading →
New GAO report suggests that some patents may hamper development of new “innovative” drugs A report released by the Government Accountability Office indicates that while expenditures on research and development by drug companies have increased, this has not resulted in a commensurate increase in new drug applications (NDAs) with the FDA. In fact, NDAs have decreased by 21% from 1999 to 2004. The larger concern raised by the report […] Continue Reading →
Starbucks appeals denial of cancellation of Korean company’s trademark Starbucks is appealing a decision denying cancellation of a Korean company's trademark, asserting it infringes Starbucks' trademark. The Korean company, Starpreya, uses a green circular logo that Starbucks asserts is confusingly similar to its logo. Below are the two logos: Starbucks has already unsuccessfully opposed Starpreya's mark in two cases before the Patent Court of […] Continue Reading →
Protecting a business name: the basics MSNBC has published an article with some basic tips for businesses to protect their trade names as trademarks. While the suggestions are fairly generic, it does at least provide some simple guidance for individuals who do not have any experience with intellectual property law in general or trademark law in particular. This piece is similar […] Continue Reading →
UK considering peer review for patent system After a review of Great Britain’s intellectual property laws, the UK patent office is considering implementing a peer review procedure as part of its patent examining process. This was one of the recommendations of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property, published on December 6. The idea is based in part on the Peer to Patent […] Continue Reading →
Google launches new patent search Last night, search engine giant Google launched a new service, Google patent search. The search allows users to search all United States patents since 1790. It also provides links to each U.S. patent listed in the prior art statement as well as other patents that cite the patent in their own prior art statements. The […] Continue Reading →
Holy trademark infringer, Batman! The Russian Main Intelligence Directorate, commonly referred to as the GRU, appears to use a somewhat famous mark as part of its logo. The GRU's logo is shown below: Even Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to notice the distinctive logo at GRU headquarters: Of course, there are sovereign immunity issues that likely prevent DC Comics […] Continue Reading →
Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center Elects New Board President The Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center has a new president. Attorney and Iowa Army National Guard colonel, Janet E. Phipps Burkhead, was elected to the position at the Annual Meeting of the Museum and Education Center Board on December 12, 2006. The park and center were established to honor and recognize Fort Des […] Continue Reading →
Nintendo hit with patent infringement lawsuit over “Wiimote” Nintendo, makers of one of the hottest Christmas gifts this year, the Wii, is being sued for patent infringement. Interlink is suing the electronics giant over the "Wiimote," the common name for the Wii's controller. Below is the Wiimote and Figure 1 of Interlink's patent: Interlink's patent is directed toward a "trigger operated electronic device," […] Continue Reading →