Apr
8
Free Stem Cell Patent Database
Posted by Irene Soto at 6:38 am under Innovation, Internet, Patent, Wikinomics.
Stemcellpatents.com announced the launch of its updated stem cell patent database. The site includes summaries and analysis of over 1275 expert-selected patents identified as relevant to stem cell commercialization.
According to the website, this database is an effort to exploit the infinite potential of stem cell therapeutics. “Unfortunately, due to the nature of current day science, […]
Apr
7
Rulemaking Authority in H.R. 1908
Posted by Irene Soto at 11:02 am under Uncategorized.
Several commentators present some interesting conclusions about the language of H.R. 1908 and its potential effect on the Tafas v. Dudas litigation.
From Patently-O: “The pending Patent Reform Act includes language that would provide substantive rulemaking authority to the PTO. That provision would directly overrule yesterday’s decision.”
From IPBiz: “The current version of S 1145 does not contain […]
Apr
7
Please note:
Posted by Irene Soto at 7:16 am under Uncategorized.
That’s all.
Apr
7
Do professors have copyright in their lectures?
Posted by Irene Soto at 7:15 am under Copyright, Litigation.
A textbook publisher, Faulkner Press, sued Class Notes (dba Einstein’s Notes), a student note-taking service at the University of Florida, for copyright infringement.
Faulkner sells textbooks and CDs used to submit assignments and quizzes. These materials are required for the courses in which they are available. Class Notes hires students to take notes during lectures and […]
Apr
4
9th Circuit says CDA does not shelter Roommates.com
Posted by Irene Soto at 9:14 am under Internet, Litigation.
Big loss for Roommates.com, internet forums, and ISPs yesterday.
[Background: The touchstone of § 230(c) of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) is that providers of internet computer services are immune from liability for content created by third parties. The immunity applies to a defendant who is the “provider… of an internet computer service” and is being sued […]
Apr
1
Finally: Tafas/GSK v. Dudas Decision
Posted by Irene Soto at 12:22 pm under Litigation, Patent.
Judge Cacheris has come to a decision: SJ granted for GSK/Tafas; SJ denied for PTO.
Opinion available here.
As I thought earlier, the court only addressed whether the rules were substantive or procedural and, finding them substantive, leaves the numerous other issues for another day.
“The Court believes that one who judges least judges best.” With respect to […]
Mar
29
A Superman Custody Dispute
Posted by Irene Soto at 11:12 am under Copyright, Litigation.
The New York Times shares a story today about an important lesson on copyright termination rights. The point: “to have and hold forever” does not always really mean forever.
“Time Warner is no longer the sole proprietor of Superman. A federal judge here on Wednesday ruled that the heirs of Jerome Siegel — who 70 years […]
Mar
28
MBA Students to Solve the PTO’s Backlog Problem?
Posted by Irene Soto at 1:58 pm under Events, Litigation, Patent.
Earlier this week, the USPTO announced that it would be partnering with the George Washington University School of Business in a competition to find solutions to “the pressing issues of patent pendency and backlog at the USPTO.”
According to the press release, Margaret Peterlin, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of […]
Mar
24
Happy, uh, Spring?
Posted by Irene Soto at 7:32 am under Uncategorized.
Mar
21
Vote for OpenCongress!
Posted by Irene Soto at 1:48 pm under Internet, Legislation.
After some e-encouragement from a professor, I checked out OpenCongress.org, a “free, open-source, non-profit, and non-partisan web resource with a mission to make Congress more transparent and to encourage civic engagement.” It is fantastic!
With OpenCongress you can create your own account and easily track your favorite bills, Members of Congress, committees, industries, and issues. It […]