patent

(Gift) Carded in the US Court of Appeals

Gift cards are everywhere. They are in envelopes as gifts for your friends on their birthdays. They are in your own wallet for your favourite stores. Gift cards are also in the United States Court of Appeals.

Can Apple Unlock a Benefit to the Smartphone Patent Wars?

There have been many high profile court cases of patent infringement in the past year, culminating in a headline-topping $1 billion award for Apple against Samsung. Even with massive awards like this, at the end of the day, has the patent system produced a net benefit for Apple and the smartphone industry as a whole?

Innovative Distinctions between Make and Repair

An intermediate bulk container (IBC) was the subject of an ongoing patent suit between exclusive UK licensee of the patent, Schütz (U.K.) Limited (Schütz), and Werit UK Limited (Werit). IBC’s are bulk liquid shipping containers with wire frames surrounding a plastic container in order to improve structural stability. IBCs are designed this way in order to […]

Does Sony’s New Patent Signal the End of Second-hand Games?

The Tokyo branch of Sony Corp. (creators of the Playstation 3 gaming system) filed a U.S. patent application in December 2012 for technology which would effectively put an end to second-hand game sales.  The problem with second-hand “resell” games is that Sony doesn’t generate any income from the transactions.  The patent application theorizes a method which would […]

“It’s Time for Global Peace”: US Judge Urges Peace Between Samsung and Apple

“I think it’s time for global peace,” said Justice Koh at the end the post-trial hearing in San Jose on Thursday. After hearing arguments from both Apple and Samsung, Justice Koh will begin her review of the $1.05 billion awarded to Apple by a jury in August.

Canada v. GSK – Intellectual Property Rights and the Arm’s Length Principle

In an eagerly anticipated decision, the Supreme Court of Canada released its judgment on Canada v. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., 2012 SCC 52 (Glaxo SCC, affirming 2010 FCA 201 [Glaxo FCA]).

Genetic Testing Patents: USPTO Presents the ‘Generic’ Comments

The current system for genetic testing in America functions by having the patent holder of a particular genetic test control the testing process and results interpretation of that test. There is concern that, inherent in that current system, there is a lack of independent second opinion testing available – testing which has the potential to make […]

Apple Emerges Victorious over Samsung, but What Does it Mean?

After more than a year of grueling litigation, the dust has settled between the tech giants for the time being, and it seems as if Apple has come out on top over Samsung.

Is it Too Early for a 5-D Apple?

Apple is closing the gap to making full virtual reality a possibility.  On July 24th 2012, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the company a patent for its groundbreaking 5 dimensional technology. The Invention will incorporate virtual reality gloves, next generation sensors and touch screens to better immerse a user.

Motorola is Done Playing Games, Attempting to Ban the Sale of the Xbox 360 in the US

In an effort to draw a line in the sand in the smartphone market, an “innocent bystander” has been caught in the legal crossfire. Following a successful sales ban of the Xbox 360 in Germany, Motorola set its sights on the gaming console’s home turf, and currently, things are not looking good for Microsoft in […]