A Board Certified Patent Attorney

Florida Manufacturer & Technology Associations

A number of technology and manufacturing companies, suppliers, and service industries in Florida have formed associations to benefit from the shared knowledge, networking, leglislative initiatives, and idea exchange that results from collective action.  Some of the ones of which I am aware are listed below (in no particular order) and I welcome suggestions for any additions to this list: Brev... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Miscellaneous IP Topics

Copyright Infringement Lands Florida Man in Prison

The Florida Litigation Center reports that Stephen Michael Smith, 34, of Middleburg, Florida was recently sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by the Honorable Henry Lee Adams, Jr., United States District Judge in the Jacksonville Division of the Middle District of Florida, for distribution of pirated software over the internet, in violation of federal criminal copyright infringement laws. Smith pr... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Copyright Law

Trademark Infringement Fries KFC Franchise to a Crisp

According to an article on Telegram.com, U.S. Marshals visited Kentucky Fried Chicken stores in Webster and Auburn for takeout of a completely different kind:  They wanted to make sure all signs, merchandise, and manuals with the KFC corporate trademarks, logo, or design were removed from the premises and destroyed. David J. Chrisler and his wife, Mary, who are currently in Florida, have been... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Trademarks

Florida Technology Companies Showcase Home Technologies at Electronic House Expo in Orlando, Florida

Interesting read from BusinessWire for those active in Florida’s home innovation industry.  The complete article follows below: ARLINGTON, Va., BUSINESSWIRE — More than 45 Florida-based technology companies will showcase their latest home technology products at the Electronic House Expo (EHX) Spring 2007. Sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association’s TechHome Division,... Read More

Marine Equipment Patent for A Lightning Rod

A marine equipment patent has recently issued for a new and novel lightning rod.  According to an article posted in yachtinsure.com, this patent is licensed selectively to Marine Lightning Protection Inc. The original lightning rod was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1750. This lightning rod served the purpose of protecting the ships. Franklin later concluded that a lightning rod could ... Read More

Florida Trademark Application Deemed “Scandalous”

The Smoking Gun reports that the United States Patent & Trademark Office has rejected a Florida man’s trademark application for the term "Obama bin Laden," ruling that the conflation of the names of a U.S. Senator and the world’s leading terrorist was "scandalous" and erroneously suggested a connection between the politician and the mass murderer. The United Sta... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Trademarks

Pediwear Gets High Marks with Patent Pending Baby Footwear

Just when you thought there couldn’t be anything new in babies’ footwear, Pediped has achieved patent pending status with a design patent that will cover 30 exclusive, attractive baby shoe designs. Kiddystyle.com touts the near patented footwear as a unique combination of quality, comfort, and style. The premium-grade leather used in the shoes comes with two layers of leather on the so... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Patenting Infant & Baby Items

Patent Attorneys and Others Breathe Sigh of Relief

The dialogue this week among patent attorneys and others interested in patenting centers around a recent letter from the Department of Commerce in reference to the Patent Reform Act of 2007. This act effects patenting across the U.S. and here in Florida.
Posted By John Rizvi In Patents

West Palm Beach Venture Capitalist Conference

The Palm Beach Post reports that the Florida Venture Forum invited 27 start-up companies to present their business plans at the Florida Venture Capital Conference at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. Two South Florida companies that were schedule to appear where (1) DayJet Corp. of Delray Beach, a company developing on-demand short-haul jet service and founded by Ed Iacobucci, who also cre... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Patents

Florida Patent Holder Urges Patent Office to Lift Secrecy Ban on Their New Inventions

Secrecy News reports that a Florida company names Space Propulstion Systems, Inc. announced recently that it had peitioned the U.S. Government to lift a secrecy ban that has been imposed on two of its rocket propellant concepts. The government may restrict the publication and dissemination of information regarding new inventions under the Invention Secrecy Act of 1951, if their disclosure could be... Read More

Trademark Dispute Over Pizza Turns into Federal Food Fight

The Gazette reports a trademark dispute between Ledo Pizza Inc. of Annapolis and the Marcos family of Prince George’s County. Ledo has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt against Thomas E. Marcos Sr., Thomas E. Marcos, Jr., and James L. Marcos, claiming the family illegally used the Ledo name and trademark to sell food, resulting in financial losses. Ju... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Trademarks

Trademark Infringement Suit Makes Bull Lock Horns in South Florida

According to an article posted on BEVNET, a federal magistrate judge recently ruled that a South Florida company does not yet have the right to take the deposition of Dietrich Mateschitz, an Austrian marketing whiz behind the wildly successful energy drink, Red Bull. The trademark infringement dispute began when attorneys for Austrian energy drink Red Bull sent a cease-and-desist letter to South F... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Trademarks

Florida Chain Store Kash & Karry to Stock Bag Carrying Tool

According to an article in The Journal News, Mark Eichenbaum had previously struggled to assist his grandmother haul groceries from the car to her apartment.  He then hit upon a good idea. Last year, he set about turning his idea into a reality.  Presently, his invention is hitting the stores, and he is about to quit his job as a longtime car salesman. Eichenbaum invented the Baggler ... Read More

Trademark Issues for Martha Stewart

An article on postcrescent.com reports that Martha Stewart, who recently spent several months in jail, is currently using her name to sell furniture from her Katonah Collection, which include a four-poster bed and a tailored English sofa. As a result, Martha and her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimeida, Inc., are applying for trademark protection for the Katonah Collection, named after her new... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Trademarks

Florida Trademark Dispute Over MyFlorida.com

According to an article in the Miami Herald, the state of Florida is trying to protect its trademark in court from a domain name publisher that bought MyFlorida.mobi. Thomas Rask, Florida-based Logical Sites chief executive, bought the name for two years at $70.  Shortly after that, a Florida Department of Management Services contacted Rask requesting that he hand the website over, since the ... Read More
Posted By John Rizvi In Trademarks