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Intellectual Property

Patent Director: "Patent Filings Do Not Equal Innovation," U.S. Needs New Measure

U.S. patent director David Kappos brings his message to SXSW: how the office is evolving in the new economy, fast-tracking green tech, and finding new ways to measure innovation. READ»

USPTO   |  Comment

Patent Reform, Still Pending

It has taken tentative steps in the right direction, with new ambitions to streamline the process and reduce backlog. But until legislation liberates the patent office, its mismanagement continues to amount to a tax on small businesses, say critics.READ»

Times Square Billboard Touches Off Controversy Over Artistic Credit-Sharing

Should Space150 and Forever 21 have paid or at least acknowledged a very similar project that debuted a year ago?READ»

LAWSUITS   |  Comment

Microsoft Sues Salesforce.com, Alleging a Whopping Nine Patent Violations

Microsoft filed a suit against business software distributor Salesforce.com, alleging violation of nine separate patents, mostly for back-end technologies. It's a rare show of force for the Redmond giant.READ»

LAWSUITS   |  Comment

Huge, Stupid Tech Lawsuit Might Just Be Crazy Enough to Work

A defunct navigation company called WebMap Technologies is suing 15 different major companies in what might be the most bloated and fatuous IP lawsuit in recent memory. And it just might pay off. WebMap's principals are claiming that ...READ»

COPYRIGHT   |  Comment

The Glenn Beck Rape Meme Goes to Court

Everyone loves Web memes--except, of course, the people they victimize. Conservative commentator Glenn Beck has filed a complaint against the owner of a satirical website called glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirlin1990.com, which has ...READ»

KINDLE 2   |  Comment

Authors Guild Says Kindle 2's Text-to-Speech Violates Copyright

One of the most interesting new features in Amazon's Kindle 2 e-reader is the text-to-speech function built into the device. It's a primitive bed-time story reader, and while it won't match, say, HAL 9000 for elegance in ...READ»

DESIGN   |  Comment

Intellectual Property

I am and have been a long time user and fan of Palm's OS and devices. I have intensively troubleshot, used and owned Palm powered devices such as Sony Clies, Samsung SPH-I300, Samsung SPH-I330, Samsung SPH-I500, Treo 600, Treo 650, ...READ»

Steal This Idea

The Fast Interview: Author Matt Mason on how the pirating of intellectual property can be a good thing.READ»