A Board Certified Patent Attorney

Archive for the ‘Patents’ Category

Will Video Game Patent Holder Score $2 Billion?

Playing games pays big, at least it could for the patent holders of Grand Theft Auto�, according to an article in February 26th's online edition of The New York Times, in the Technology section.

Are Phthalates on the Anti Patent List: One Florida Patent Attorney’s Opinion

I wonder if we'll start to see less of particular brands of baby products on the shelves here in Florida. Patent Attorneys, moreover, tend to be less concerned with reality and more concerned with perception. If news of the phthalates reach "critical mass" you can be sure there will be a consumer backlash.

Samsung Patents Interchangeable Cell Phone Keypad

Recently, I posted a blog about Apple’s patent pending idea to sell a keyboard with dynamically shifting keys. (A number of keys on the keyboard have the ability to change according to the user’s needs.) They’re not the only ones who want to patent ideas to make things more fluid for users.   Samsung has filed a patent application for a cell phone with interchangeable keypads(HT Lounge, January 28, 2008). There is one keypad for regular phone dialing, and one with a QWERTY keyboard for text messaging and other word processing functions. The patent includes a gaming pad, music controls, etc.   As a Florida Patent Attorney, I’ve seen a lot of ideas–in this category and more. I think the concept of a cell phone keypad that changes to suit what the user is doing at the moment is great. I know how

Patent Revocation: A Significant Risk?

It is vitally important not to publicly disclose your idea--and in fact not to disclose it except under absolute necessity--before filing for a patent. The USPTO can, and certainly will, reject a patent application for an idea already in the public eye.

Florida Patent Expo: Calling All Inventors!

Inventors in the South Florida area are invited to showcase their inventions at the upcoming "Latest Inventions Under the Moon Expo" at the Broward County Library.

Eco-Friendly Patents: Major Companies Collaborating Towards a Greener Earth

In a grand-scale movement towards a greener Earth, Bloomberg.com (January 14, 2008) reports that major corporations are being asked to donate eco-friendly patents for collaborative, ubiquitous use in "fighting global warming and promoting sustainable development."

Croc’s Design Patent To Be Invalidated?

Crocs are a popular beach shoe here in Florida, across the U.S., and outside our nation’s borders. Now, the design patent they hold may be in jeopardy according to a number of recent news stories, including one in the January 4, 2008 edition of Forbes online. Holey Soles Holdings in Vancouver, Canada and Crocs are waging war against each other, since Crocs began in 2005 to try and push Holey Soles out of the market. Most recently, The European Union declared Croc’s patent invalid, claiming that their Beach model shoes "lack individual character" versus other similar brands. (Perhaps in testament to the value of patents Crocs’ stock price dropped $5.00 or 13.2% this past Friday, January 4, 2008.)   The two companies make shoes that are very similar to one another; Crocs believes Holey Soles is violating their pat

Patent Application filed by Apple for “Chameleonic” Keyboard

Apple is one of the most innovative companies around in this day and age. I find it impressive that in a field that literally changes by the hour, they continue to spearhead inventive, consumer-driven thinking.

Patent Protection Provides Long and Short Term Growth Opportunities

        Here in Florida, elsewhere in the U.S., and abroad patents give businesses the platform they need for secure, profitable growth. Recently, this was seen clearly in Kansas by MGP Ingredients, which settled a patent infringement suit against Mars, Inc. in the amount of $8MM. MGP holds a patent for ingredients used to make a widely popular dog treat called Greenies.   According to CNN Money (January 2, 2008, CNN Money) Mars purchased the company who make Greenies and subsequently tried to end long term supply agreements with MGP, claiming they had "developed a new formula for the dog treats." MGP disagreed and took Mars to court, winning their $8 Million settlement. They’ve agreed to give Mars and the makers of Greenies a non-exclusive license to their patent,

Florida Innovation Showcase 2008 Will Unveil Tomorrow’s Patented Technologies

Mark your calendars for March 19 - 20 as Orlando will host the Florida Innovation Showcase 2008. See tomorrow's big ideas in technology innovations and research and mingle with other budding innovators.

India a Recognized Force in Foreign Patent Protection

India was just recognized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as an International Searching Authority and an International Preliminary Examining Authority. This is an honor held by only 15 nations worldwide and is a significant bolster to India's intellectual property program, particularly since they are the only English speaking nation in the region of Asia.

Florida News Highlights Sony’s Patenting Possibilities

A reporter at the Central Florida news believes these planned innovations will show that Sony has "recovered from its past financial problems." For Sony's sake, I hope the reporter is right, and I look forward, as always, to hearing more about new and innovative products.

Inventor’s Patent Pending Technology a Deal Maker

This means that the company will bear the responsibility for manufacturing and marketing and all other costs, while the inventor stands to generate revenue for the fruits of their labor and his/her own ingenuity.