Highlights
Patent Definiteness Clarified in Nautilus, Inc. v. Biosig Instruments, Inc.
Biosig Instruments, Inc. (Biosig) holds U.S. Patent No. 5,337,753 (the 753 patent), which relates to a heart rate monitor on exercise equipment. In 2004, Biosig sued Nautilus, Inc. (Nautilus) alleging that Nautilus infringed several claims of the 753...
Alice Corp. Decision: Computer-Implemented Method Not Patent Eligible
In the case of Alice Corp. Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank Int'l, the Supreme Court held (again) that computer-implemented process claims are not patentable under Section 101 of the U.S. Patent Act when they are directed to an abstract idea. The...
Trademark Office Cancels ‘REDSKINS’ Trademark
After a protracted legal dispute, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board today issued a ruling that six Washington Redskins trademark registrations must be canceled because they were disparaging and offensive to Native Americans. The Board's...
Beware of Non-USPTO Trademark Solicitations
In recent weeks, several Luedeka Neely clients have reported receiving trademark notifications and solicitations that typically include offers for legal services, monitoring services or other trademark-related services. These solicitations often appear...
Subtle Clutch – Homegrown Bluegrass from Knoxville, TN
Introducing Subtle Clutch (left-right): Jonathon (mandolin/guitar), Briston (guitar/vocals), Devin (guitar/ukulele/vocals), and Eli (son of Luedeka Neely's President - Bob Fox) (banjo / harmonica / resonator guitar) The boys, who range...
President Vetoes ITC Decision In Samsung-Apple Patent Case
Samsung obtained a decision from the United States International Trade Commission barring the import of certain models of Apple iPhones and iPads because they infringed Samsung patents. The President, through a letter from the US trade representative, vetoed the...
Copyright Law Used By New York Dentist To Prevent Negative Reviews
Dr. Stacy Makhnevich is a New York dentist who attempted to use copyright law to prevent negative reviews of her office from appearing on review sites like Yelp! Under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, these sites are protected lawsuits from...
Improved Fire Detector from ORNL Could Save More Lives
Standard fire detectors often give false alarms when there is smoke but no fire, such as when food burns. This leads some to remove the batteries or to unplug the detector, which puts lives at risk. Engineers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have a solution...
Funny Faces May Soon Replace Passwords In Android Devices
Using face detection to unlock electronic devices isn't new. The problem with the technology is that it can be fooled using doctored photos, etc. Google proposes to overcome this shortcoming with "facial landmarks." A recently filed patent describes a method for...
SCOTUS Says No To Human Genes Patents
Should isolated genes (i.e., genes separated from surrounding genetic material) be considered "products of nature" and, therefore, ineligible for patent protection under U.S. law? The Supreme Court, in a recent 9-0 decision, said "yes." The...