Mar
13
Like many heroes, Guitar Hero in trouble
Posted by Dirk Avery at 11:32 am under Litigation, Patent, Video games.
Gibson Guitar, the famous maker of “real” guitars, is seeking an injunction against Activision which would prevent further sales of the popular Guitar Hero game. Gibson, which holds some 52 utility patents issued since 1976, has a patent (US Pat No. 5,990,405) on a “System and method for generating and controlling a simulated musical […]
Mar
11
The Influencers of 2008
Posted by Irene Soto at 2:03 pm under Uncategorized.
In its March 2008 issue, Entrepreneur Magazine identifies the “Nation’s Top 25 Influencers:” the individuals, groups, trends, and events that will have a substantial impact on business owners in the coming year.
Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple)
2008 Elections
Climate Change
China
Declining Dollar
Oil Dependence
Trust
Mortgage Crisis
Oprah Winfrey (my personal favorite, in every year)
A Generational Shift
Bill Gates (Microsoft, Bill and Melinda Gates […]
Mar
11
It’s Official: Google Acquires DoubleClick
Posted by Irene Soto at 1:31 pm under Internet, Technology.
Almost a year after Google announced its intention to acquire DoubleClick, it’s finally official! Today, the European Commission approved Google’s $3.1 billion takeover, removing the final obstacle to the deal. This was a deal opposed by Microsoft and AT&T, arguing that the merger would give Google too much power to set advertising rates.
According to CEO […]
Mar
9
We’ve been away; eCO update
Posted by Dirk Avery at 12:01 am under Copyright.
Apologies as Irene and I have both been hit at the same time with various issues involving family (Dirk & Irene), and the MPRE and a student symposium (just Dirk). We are still alive and will be posting again when things settle down.
In the meantime, I have an update! I have won the race to […]
Mar
6
House revokes music industry’s carte blanche
Posted by Dirk Avery at 4:58 pm under Copyright, Legislation.
CNet’s Anne Broache writes:
To avoid having a copyright bill favored by the music industry become mired in controversy, a U.S. House of Representatives panel has agreed to remove a section that would have dramatically increased fines in copyright infringement lawsuits.
Under the original Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (the PRO IP Act), […]
Mar
5
Alexandrians in action: Google Books
Posted by Dirk Avery at 2:14 pm under Copyright, Innovation, Internet, Technology.
Today, here on the University of Michigan campus, I saw the Google folks at work. A huge moving truck was backed up next to the library door. Carts filled with books filled the truck.
The basic task is really pretty simple. They take books and scan them. The complexity comes from the […]
Mar
5
William Blumenthal, live blog
Posted by Dirk Avery at 12:24 pm under Innovation, Internet, Technology.
March 5, 2008, 12:20
12:23: This looks interesting: FTC 2003 Report on Innovation. We are moving away from “balancing” competition law and IP, to “aligning” the two. I like aligning. It’s very business like.
12:28: FTC thought that patent quality was on the decline with negative effects: discouraging innovation, elevating cost and leading […]
Mar
5
Live blog: William Blumenthal, GC of the FTC
Posted by Irene Soto at 12:24 pm under Events, Internet.
“Recent Issues in IP and the Internet Under Competition Law”
12:23: IP, Internet at the FTC & DOJ. Issues to be covered: FTC Reports on innovation, IP-related case activity, Internet-related reports, Internet-case activity.
12:26: The FTC 2003 “To Promote Innovation…” Report. “Summary of a series of hearings held in the 2002 timeframe. 24 days. 300 panelists. 100 […]
Mar
5
Coming Soon: WordPress Goes Social
Posted by Irene Soto at 10:39 am under Internet.
WordPress creator Matt Mullenweg recently announced that WordPress parent company Automattic has hired designer and developer Andy Peatling, who has created a WordPress-based social network called BuddyPress.
According to the home page, “BuddyPress will transform a vanilla installation of WordPress MU into a social-network platform.”
The purpose? Mullenweg writes: “Someday, perhaps, the world will have a truly free […]
Mar
5
Live blogging: William Blumenthal, GC of FTC
Posted by Dirk Avery at 9:33 am under Events, Internet, Technology.
In an Addo Vere first, we will be live blogging today! At about 12:30 pm EST, William Blumenthal, General Counsel of the Federal Trade Commission, will be speaking here at the University of Michigan Law School. His topic will be “Recent Issues in the Treatment of IP and the Internet under Competition Law.” It promises […]