http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2013/03/pre-aia-filing-numbers.html
Due to the graph in this article it seems as if the patent filing world has entered into a big race. The amount of non-provisionals filed tripled in one week. It seems as if inventors all across the country felt the need to prepare themselves for the ultimate change. Im curious as to how many of the patents included in this tripling were from large corporations and how many were from the average everyday inventor. I also wonder how this will affect the patent office. With the rapid influx of patents being filed will this cause errors in reviewing the patents because there are so many? Will they need to hire more staff to review all of the patents? We discuss patents from the side of the inventor but we need to remember that there is another side to the end stage of a patents completion. I kind of regret not throwing together some rough ideas I had into a provisional patent to hop on this filing band wagon.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Google's Open Source Pledge #17
http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/28/4156614/google-opa-open-source-patent-pledge-wont-sue-unless-attacked
This is a great move for the entire tech industry by one of its leading giants. Google has decided to take a defensive approach rather than an offensive one. They will not sue unless sued first. Hopefully this sentiment will catch on with other companies but I have a feeling it wont. Google has the power to turn its efforts away from the suing game without taking a major hit to the overall company. They know the power and potential of open source and are finally publicizing that it should be nurtured rather than obstructed. This pledge causes me to grow fond of Googles company culture and their passion for straight up innovation. Rather than suing a bunch of people, which they easily could, Google is doing the exact opposite. They are open sourcing some of their patents. Google even called out other patent holders in the industry asking them to do the same. I can only imagine how intimidating it must be to get called out by Google!
This is a great move for the entire tech industry by one of its leading giants. Google has decided to take a defensive approach rather than an offensive one. They will not sue unless sued first. Hopefully this sentiment will catch on with other companies but I have a feeling it wont. Google has the power to turn its efforts away from the suing game without taking a major hit to the overall company. They know the power and potential of open source and are finally publicizing that it should be nurtured rather than obstructed. This pledge causes me to grow fond of Googles company culture and their passion for straight up innovation. Rather than suing a bunch of people, which they easily could, Google is doing the exact opposite. They are open sourcing some of their patents. Google even called out other patent holders in the industry asking them to do the same. I can only imagine how intimidating it must be to get called out by Google!
Friday, March 22, 2013
Why not License? #16
http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2013/03/intellectual-ventures-v-symantec.html
After I read this article it made me wonder why companies dont just offer a huge licensing on protected aspects of their technologies. The article states that Intellectual Ventures recieved Billions of dollars for its patent licensing program and rather than resorting to litigation their competitors are willing to pay top dollar to buy the licenses. I understand the fact companies may not want to license their products out to their competitors but after examining the tech and patent world we have seen that if a company really wants something they are just going to build it then deal with the litigation later. The licensing program that Intellectual Ventures not only skips a step and the headache but also makes them lots and lots of money.
After I read this article it made me wonder why companies dont just offer a huge licensing on protected aspects of their technologies. The article states that Intellectual Ventures recieved Billions of dollars for its patent licensing program and rather than resorting to litigation their competitors are willing to pay top dollar to buy the licenses. I understand the fact companies may not want to license their products out to their competitors but after examining the tech and patent world we have seen that if a company really wants something they are just going to build it then deal with the litigation later. The licensing program that Intellectual Ventures not only skips a step and the headache but also makes them lots and lots of money.
Samsung Countersues #15
http://www.mobileworldlive.com/samsung-countersues-ericsson-over-patent-claims
As has been mentioned by many of the other blog posts Samsung has decided to counter sue Ericsson. I have found a different article that mentions something very interesting. In the article it states that "The companies have also filed complaints against each other in the International Trade Commission concerning the same patents with Ericsson reportedly requesting a US import ban for Samsung products". This seems like this dispute has made its way beyond a product and money issue and is now on a personal level. I have a feeling it has to do with a disagreement over a license deal between the two. The US market is huge for Samsung products and Ericsson is trying to get back at Samsung by blocking from getting to this market. I highly doubt that the ban will be put in place but it will definitely be interesting to see how this all unfolds. Another thing I want to point out is that Ericsson said they spent over 5 Billion on research and development is 2011. This shuts me up on allocating company funds for R&D rather than suing other companies. I guess the millions the use to sue other companies is chump change compared to the Billions they actually use for research and development.
As has been mentioned by many of the other blog posts Samsung has decided to counter sue Ericsson. I have found a different article that mentions something very interesting. In the article it states that "The companies have also filed complaints against each other in the International Trade Commission concerning the same patents with Ericsson reportedly requesting a US import ban for Samsung products". This seems like this dispute has made its way beyond a product and money issue and is now on a personal level. I have a feeling it has to do with a disagreement over a license deal between the two. The US market is huge for Samsung products and Ericsson is trying to get back at Samsung by blocking from getting to this market. I highly doubt that the ban will be put in place but it will definitely be interesting to see how this all unfolds. Another thing I want to point out is that Ericsson said they spent over 5 Billion on research and development is 2011. This shuts me up on allocating company funds for R&D rather than suing other companies. I guess the millions the use to sue other companies is chump change compared to the Billions they actually use for research and development.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
EXPANDING ITA PRODUCT COVERAGE #14
http://www.usitc.gov/press_room/news_release/2013/er0313ll1.htm
I have to be honest, after reading this report I am still not 100% sure of what it entails. But what I can deduce from it sounds like this is going to be great news for myself and the Flowbit team. We are dealing with the exportation of Information Technologies and have not really considered the cost of tariffs to our customers. Although India is not covered in this agreement, Mexico is and our first customer is currently operating in Mexico. I truly believe that this agreement will have a positive global impact. Not only will it increase trade and hopefully boost some struggling economies, but also it will motivate innovation because it is breaking down one of the many hurdles needed to jump over in this industry. I will do some more research on this matter and report back as it pertains to Flowbit in the future.
I have to be honest, after reading this report I am still not 100% sure of what it entails. But what I can deduce from it sounds like this is going to be great news for myself and the Flowbit team. We are dealing with the exportation of Information Technologies and have not really considered the cost of tariffs to our customers. Although India is not covered in this agreement, Mexico is and our first customer is currently operating in Mexico. I truly believe that this agreement will have a positive global impact. Not only will it increase trade and hopefully boost some struggling economies, but also it will motivate innovation because it is breaking down one of the many hurdles needed to jump over in this industry. I will do some more research on this matter and report back as it pertains to Flowbit in the future.
Nokia's HTC patent #13
http://www.mobileworldlive.com/nokias-htc-patent-complaint-dismissed-by-german-court?elq=ce9bc372a78a4c5c9c9b50aaacdd63a4\
Another win for innovation and the world of mobile! I believe that the judges are catching on to the patent trolling and putting their foot down (well at least in Germany). This article states that Nokia “exaggerated the scope of its patent in order to extract unwarranted licensing royalties from Android handset manufacturers”. Since we have studied the narrowing of claims, I feel this judge's reason is one we can all understand and put into perspective. Nokia claimed that HTC infringed on what seems like the most vague claim possible, “Method for using services offered by a telecommunications network, a telecommunications system, and a terminal for it”. To me that sounds like they are trying to claim the use of mobile phones. It seems as if Nokia has brought this case against Apple as well and Apple had to settle. I wonder why Nokia did not going after every single mobile phone company if they got the big wigs at Apple to settle. Regardless, now that they lost im sure they will take a break from trolling and get back to the real work.
Another win for innovation and the world of mobile! I believe that the judges are catching on to the patent trolling and putting their foot down (well at least in Germany). This article states that Nokia “exaggerated the scope of its patent in order to extract unwarranted licensing royalties from Android handset manufacturers”. Since we have studied the narrowing of claims, I feel this judge's reason is one we can all understand and put into perspective. Nokia claimed that HTC infringed on what seems like the most vague claim possible, “Method for using services offered by a telecommunications network, a telecommunications system, and a terminal for it”. To me that sounds like they are trying to claim the use of mobile phones. It seems as if Nokia has brought this case against Apple as well and Apple had to settle. I wonder why Nokia did not going after every single mobile phone company if they got the big wigs at Apple to settle. Regardless, now that they lost im sure they will take a break from trolling and get back to the real work.
Friday, March 8, 2013
German Court Keeps Samsungs Hopes Alive #12
German Court Keeps Samsungs Hopes Alive by Scheduling Retrial
While reading this article I started to feel bad for Samsung and anyone involved in this case. It just seems like a huge headache for all parties involved. This case is obviously one with the purpose of preventing Samsung from competing. "Further analysis of how various German mobile networks operate will apparently be needed, and a ruling entitling Samsung to damages (the amount of which would have to be determined in a subsequent proceeding) is still a possibility." This process seems like it will take excessive amounts of time and money. After reading numerous articles like this I am starting to rethink how I feel about Apple's business practice's. This suit is completely unnecessary and ambiguous. Even the parties involved do not know exactly how the networks are operated which will require analysis to even figure out how to proceed with this case. It is very frustrating for me to read and I just hope that when I have a career and am apart of a business I am not involved in situations like these.
While reading this article I started to feel bad for Samsung and anyone involved in this case. It just seems like a huge headache for all parties involved. This case is obviously one with the purpose of preventing Samsung from competing. "Further analysis of how various German mobile networks operate will apparently be needed, and a ruling entitling Samsung to damages (the amount of which would have to be determined in a subsequent proceeding) is still a possibility." This process seems like it will take excessive amounts of time and money. After reading numerous articles like this I am starting to rethink how I feel about Apple's business practice's. This suit is completely unnecessary and ambiguous. Even the parties involved do not know exactly how the networks are operated which will require analysis to even figure out how to proceed with this case. It is very frustrating for me to read and I just hope that when I have a career and am apart of a business I am not involved in situations like these.
Narrowing Claims #11
http://www.fosspatents.com/
The following post is about Apple and Samsung narrowing their claims. I find this blog post interesting and relevant since last class we talked about claims. Since the court is narrowing the claims it will be harder for Samsung to infringe on Apple's patents. In my opinion I think this is a large step for the tech world. It seems as if the courts are trying to take the side of the "smaller" companies. Hopefully this will start a trend with patent infringement cases in the coming years. I still find it kind of silly when massive companies try to sue other companies over miniscule design infringements. I am a huge fan of innovation and this is one of the large inhibitors of innovation. "the Court will not permit the parties to involve over fifty experts in this litigation". I love this! Apple has the money and power to hire hundreds of experts and lawyers and this limitation prevents them doing so. I definitely think 50 experts is sufficient and I'm sure the experts like it as well. Limiting it to 50 experts lowers the intimidation factor of the larger companies.
The following post is about Apple and Samsung narrowing their claims. I find this blog post interesting and relevant since last class we talked about claims. Since the court is narrowing the claims it will be harder for Samsung to infringe on Apple's patents. In my opinion I think this is a large step for the tech world. It seems as if the courts are trying to take the side of the "smaller" companies. Hopefully this will start a trend with patent infringement cases in the coming years. I still find it kind of silly when massive companies try to sue other companies over miniscule design infringements. I am a huge fan of innovation and this is one of the large inhibitors of innovation. "the Court will not permit the parties to involve over fifty experts in this litigation". I love this! Apple has the money and power to hire hundreds of experts and lawyers and this limitation prevents them doing so. I definitely think 50 experts is sufficient and I'm sure the experts like it as well. Limiting it to 50 experts lowers the intimidation factor of the larger companies.
Monday, March 4, 2013
University Mobile Challenge
The purpose I was at the Mobile World Congress was to compete at Applied Innovation's University Mobile Challenge sponsored by Facebook, GSMA, and LabOne. 12 teams from around the world were competing. Some of the schools that competed were Harvard Business School, Oxford, University of Waterloo, NUS, and UCSD just to name a few. They broke the teams up into two groups of six and each group had a different panel of three judges ranging from different mobile fields. Each group had five minutes to present and five minutes for Q&A and feedback from the judges. I would say about half of the teams were asked by the judges about proprietary rights. All of the teams that were asked this question has some sort IP rights to their innovation. Then the judges would ask if the team has considered licensing their innovation. None of the teams had really thought about this yet, or wanted to do so, because they were mainly focused on building their own company and product. It seems as if young start-ups all move fast to get some sort of IP rights to what ever it is that they are building. A representative for Facebook spoke to all of the teams and was the main judge in the final round. She is a developer advocate at Facebook and graduated from Stanford in 2010. I just love the fact that someone so fresh out of college has the ability to work their way up the chain of command at a tech huge tech company so fast.
Mobile World Congress 2013
This past week the Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology sent my start-up team, Flowbit, to represent Cal at the University Mobile Challenge at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Wow, this was an experience of a lifetime. It was held at a brand new convention center with 9 large halls all filled will booths of mobile tech companies. They had many seminars with speaker panels and series of keynote speakers. Unfortunately my badge clearance did not allow me to attend any of the keynote speakers, but I definitely took advantage of the seminars. Some of the seminars were relevant to my start-up and some were just for fun. They ranges from "Taking Mobile Agriculture Innovation to Market" to "Social Entertainment: Paradigm Shifts and the Future of Converged Entertainment". Two elements of mobile that were being emphasized at the conference by the GSMA (the company that threw the event) were the push for new mobile advertising and NFC. NFC was everywhere, but only because GSMA was pushing it hard. Many of the companies that had booths and engineers that I spoke with did not care too much for NFC and thought it was humorous that the GSMA was pushing it that hard. What I found very interesting was many of the new ways companies are approaching mobile advertising. They are taking more of an opt in or active approach where consumers can opt in for push notification ads or shazaam like features to find more about advertisements. I find this very interesting because I find ads annoying and there is no way Im going to see an ad on TV or on my phone and think to myself "Wait a second, I need to find out more about this entertainment interruption and fast". I'm not going to lie, a lot of the companies were data analytics and software oriented and were way over my head as a non engineer attendee, but everyone was extremely friendly and was happy to explain as best they could their product or company to me so I could better understand. Aside from tech companies showcasing their new product lines, The Internet of Things had a large presence a well at the congress. This was very relevant to Flowbit as we are creating hardware that is controlled wirelessly. Some of the tech that was displayed in this field was a prescription bottle that has a cap you click to let your pharmacist know you need a refill (AT&T) and a chip that can be installed in pretty much anything (they displayed a coffee pot) to control with your phone (Qualcomm). Just to be clear no social media companies were in attendance and of course Apple was not there either. Sorry for the late post, it has been one hectic week but if you would like to know more about the congress just let me know and I would be happy to talk about it.
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