RECENTLY
#1. Patent Battle over Cash-Cow Cameras in St. Louis
American Traffic Solutions (ATS) is suing B&W Sensors for patent infringement on a patent that covers, “technology using photography to simultaneously clock multiple vehicles on a single roadway.” Largely known for manufacturing controversial red-light cameras (see story in Missouri Appeals Court). ATS says B&W has misrepresented its speed-camera services to potential customers by falsely claiming that ATS could not offer them. ATS also complains that B&W has brought negative local attention to speed cameras, damaging the potential market for ATS in the St. Louis area.
#2. Troubled Trolls Pen Letter to Congress Re Covered Business Method Expansion
Matt Levy, writing at Patent Progress, breaks down a letter sent last week by concerned NPEs. Last Friday, BSA (Business Software Alliance) and a number of companies sent a letter to Senate and House Judiciary Committee leadership. BSA puts forth the standard “hamper to innovation” argument against expanding covered from only those business method patents dealing with financial services to all business methods. The letter was delivered to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr., (D-Mich.).Read the letter here.
#3. Martha Stewart Embroiled in Patent Battle with LodSys
Timothy B. Lee, writing for The Switch, at the Washington Post, reports that NPEs have a new, very formidable enemy: Martha Stewart. In July, Lodsys sent Stewart's media empire letters warning her that four of its iPad apps infringed LodSys's patent. Lodsys demanded $5,000 for each of the four apps to license the patents. Rather than simply pay the fee to make LodSys go away, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia filed suit in Wisconsin seeking declaration that it had not infringed.
#4. Police Intellectual Property Unit Makes First Arrests
The Guardian reports that a new police unit to tackle illegal downloads and counterfeit DVDs and CDs has carried out its first raids and arrested two men. The police intellectual property crime unit (PIPCU), which launched on Friday, is being run by City of London police and has government funding of £2.56m over two years.
PENDING
Apple Applies For a Patent on E-Book Signing Technology
Writing for PC Magazine, Stephanie Mlot, explains, "A digital tome would come embedded with a specific autograph page, or a 'hot spot' autograph widget area configured to receive autographs." Adding, "Don't expect to see this e-autograph system added to iBooks anytime soon. Find the patent here.
UPCOMING
#1. Intellectual Property Symposium – 10/4 – University of Misosuri
Join us at the University of Missouri, School of Law for a discussion of the current issues facing Intellectual Property practice. Hosted by the school’s Center for Dispute Resolution, the Symposium will feature Greg Gorder, co-found of Intellectual Ventures giving the Keynote Address.
–http://law.missouri.edu/csdr/symposium/2013/
#2. Antitrust and Intellectual Property Conference — 10/10
-ABA Section of Intellectual Property
-Live/In-Person
#3. International Laws Governing Cross Border Discovery, Privilege, Confidentiality and Data — 10/16
-ABA Section of Intellectual Property
-Webinar/Teleconference
JOBS
IP Attorney – Law Firm – Lansing, Mich.
–Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap, P.C., an established Lansing Law Firm, has an opportunity for an experienced IP Attorney.
-Please send resume with cover letter to Thaddeus E. Morgan, 124 W. Allegan, Suite 1000, Lansing, MI 48933.
Technical Writer/Patent Agent – Law Firm – Charlotte, N.C.
–Additon, Higgins, Pendleton & Ashe, a boutique intellectual property law firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is seeking an experienced technical writer or patent agent to immediately join the firm. The candidate should also have a degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. Admission to practice before the USPTO is a plus.
-Please send your resume, writing samples, and cover letter to jobs@ahpapatent.com.