Apr
7
Rulemaking Authority in H.R. 1908
Posted by Keeley Vega 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 Keeley Vega at 7:16 am under Uncategorized.
That’s all.
Mar
27
Happy, uh, Spring? (Part 2)
Posted by Dirk Avery at 11:19 pm under Uncategorized.
As a follow-up on Keeley’s prior post, current conditions in Ann Arbor, MI:
Mar
24
Happy, uh, Spring?
Posted by Keeley Vega at 7:32 am under Uncategorized.
Mar
18
Attention California Drivers
Posted by Keeley Vega at 12:18 pm under Uncategorized.
This isn’t IP-related, but it’s important for all of us multi-taskers. So put down your phone, pager and Blackberry and listen up!
Beginning July 1, 2008, two new wireless telephone laws will take effect in California. The first, Vehicle Code § 23123, prohibits all drivers from using handheld wireless phones while operating a motor vehicle. The second, Vehicle […]
Mar
17
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Posted by Keeley Vega at 12:25 pm under Uncategorized.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here is some festive March-themed trivia:
In what year was the term ”marshmallow peeps” first used in commerce?
What major retailer was sued in 2004 because it refused to accept a shipment of dancing Easter bunnies?
According to a 2007 Belfast Telegraph article, what three major American companies accounted for 20% of Irish […]
Mar
11
The Influencers of 2008
Posted by Keeley Vega 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 […]
Feb
28
Test your inventor IQ
Posted by Keeley Vega at 12:36 am under Uncategorized.
See how much you really know about famous inventors with the PTO’s Inventor IQ test on the Kids’ pages. It’s fun!
While you’re at it, try to figure out “whodunit:”
Which U. S. President held a patent?
Can you get a trademark for a smell?
What trademark do you think of for in-line skates?
Who invented the process […]
Feb
21
Wariness over Microsoft’s openness
Posted by Dirk Avery at 9:38 pm under Uncategorized.
Last week we reported on Microsoft opening up its binary formats and promising to not sue when they’re used non-commercially. The openness is an attempt to get the world to standardize on Microsoft’s formats and is part of compliance with anti-trust obligations imposed by a European court. What do software developers think now […]