monkey.jpgIPNews® – British photographer David Slater is embroiled in a debate over the self-portrait taken by a monkey, which the animal shot using his unattended equipment three years ago.

Wikimedia Commons, a database of millions of images and videos that are free for public use, is arguing that the image was shot by an animal and thus it is not subject to copyright protection. But Slater says he spent time, money and effort to get that image for which he should be compensated with royalties. To continue reading, click: Monkey Business: Who Owns the Copyright to a Selfie Taken by a Monkey?

pig.jpgIPNews® – The University of Arkansas has trademarked the sounds contained in its famous Hog Call – Wooo Pig Sooie!

This trademark means that the Hog Call cannot be used by anyone for commercial purposes without permission or a license from the University of Arkansas.  This trademark joins a line of famous sound trademarks which you may not know are registered trademarks.  To continue reading, click: University of Arkansas Gets Sound Trademark on Its Famous Hog Call

tattoo.jpgIPNews® – San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick obtained the copyright waivers from two tattoo artists who designed and inked the tattoos on his biceps.

The arm tattoos will be on display in Kaepernick’s digital avatar in the new “Madden” video game to be released next month. The past has shown that those that reproduce tattoos without the permission of the artist risk being sued for copyright infringement.  To continue reading, click: 49ers Quarterback Obtained Copyright Waivers for Video Games

basketball.jpgIPNews® – San Diego State University has set out to trademark the chant “I believe that we will win!” which was recently popularized by the U.S. soccer team during the World Cup.

San Diego State University’s basketball team has been using this chant for the last few years as have other schools, such as Navy and Utah State.  School officials say their goal is to not prevent other teams from using the chant during games, but to make sure they can continue using the phrase on merchandise.  To continue reading click:  San Diego State Seeks “We Believe That We Will Win” Trademark

Glass-google.jpgIPNews® – Chinese tech giant Lenovo might have a plan to compete with Google Glass in the wearable technology market.

Lenovo has filed a U.S. patent for a device that looks like Google Glass, featuring an audio and video recorder and built-in displays. This may mean that a lot more competition is to come in the wearable technology market, potentially making such cutting-edge technology more mainstream and affordable.  To continue reading, click: Lenovo Files Patent for Wearable Technology Similar to Google Glass

cable.jpgIPNews® – The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that the start-up tech firm Aereo, which distributes television signals over the Internet, is operating in violation of the Copyright Act.  

Aereo’s service, available in 11 major metro areas, was a much cheaper alternative to cable and satellite television at the price of $12 a month.  This decision would essentially sound the death knell for Aereo and other companies that aspire to provide a similar service.  To continue reading, click: Aereo Loses Supreme Court Copyright Battle to Networks’ Delight

football.jpgIPNews® – The bid to change the name of the Washington Redskins football team has gained momentum after a ruling by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that the name is “disparaging.”  

The ruling has stepped up financial and political pressure on the team’s owner Daniel Snyder.  Supporters of the name change say that a team and its owner should not benefit from a name that is basically a racial slur.  To continue reading, click: Washington Redskins Trademark Cancelled, Held to be Disparaging

tesla.jpgIPNews® – Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has shaken up the automobile industry by offering to open up his company’s patents for making electric vehicles.  

Musk hopes that his generous move will encourage more automakers to produce a higher number of electric vehicles.  Consumers have been slow to adopt electric vehicles partly due to the high sticker price and limited range.  To continue reading, click: Tesla Allows Others to Use Patent Portfolio

pi symbol.jpgIPNews® – A Brooklyn artist who designs clothing is incurring the wrath of math geeks and other designers after trademarking the pi symbol.  

Paul Ingrisano has been criticized for preventing others from selling merchandise that includes the pi symbol.  With regard to policing so-called infringements, it appears this may be a long uphill legal battle.  To continue reading, click: Trademark Issued for Pi Symbol for Clothing Line Causes Uproar

iphone-apps.jpgIPNews® – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple a patent for a special construction process and will help protect its new sapphire glass displays.

The new bonding material is LiquidGlass, a unique alloy that moves like molten plastic and helps bond the glass so that it doesn’t shatter when it drops. Consumers can expect to see sapphire glass on the new iPhone 6 in the fall, but probably not the cutting-edge LiquidGlass technology.  To continue reading, click: Apple Receives Patent on a Drop Proof iPhone