Glass-google.jpgIPNews® – Tech giant Google has faced an uphill battle in obtaining trademark protection over the word “Glass” for its next big product.

The Silicon Valley powerhouse filed a response to the USPTO’s sweeping refusal of the GLASS trademark application, arguing that there was no likelihood of confusion between “Glass” and other similar trademarks and that the  trademark is not merely descriptive.  With a variety of styles including those named “curve”, “bold” and “thin,” it appears that no matter what the outcome for the “Glass” trademark, Google Glass is well on its way.    To continue reading, click:  Google Runs into Trouble in Attempt to Secure Trademark Protection for “Glass”

home-price.jpgIPNews® – It was bad news for Zillow recently as the patent for its home valuation estimator was severely whittled down by the USPTO, which found the majority of its claims unpatentable.

The  U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board made the findings as part of its decision in Microstrategy, Inc. v. Zillow, Inc., which is expected to have negative implications for Zillow in its much publicized lawsuit against Trulia.   Trulia appears armed and ready for a fight, stating: ” If Zillow appeals the Microstrategy ruling and wins, which is unlikely, we have different grounds on which the patent is invalid.”   To continue reading, click:  USPTO Throws Out Most of Zillow’s “Z-Estimate” Patent Claims

football.jpgIPNews® – The USPTO has denied an investment firm’s trademark application for “Johnny Football,” paving the way for Johnny Football himself to use the name.

Johnny Manziel, winner of the 2012 Heisman Trophy , is seeking to federally protect the Johnny Football trademark through his company, JMAN2 Enterprises, LLC.  The win comes with the NFL Draft approaching next month.  To continue reading, click:  Manziel Scores Trademark Rights to “Johnny Football”

face.jpgIPNews® – Judging by one of its new patent applications, if IBM has its way, it looks like computers may one day have more emotional intelligence than some humans.

The detailed filing goes into particulars of exactly how a computer program would take a variety of sensory, physical and environmental indicators and balance them to come up with an aggregate assessment of what the user’s emotion is at that moment.  The aggregate data would then be usable by apps which can perform customized actions to fit the user’s mood.  To continue reading, click:  IBM Looks to Patent Technology that Reads Human Feelings

whistle.jpgIPNews® – The Old Spice whistle appears to be the next famous sound to be awarded trademark protection.

The company most known for its men’s grooming products branded with a nautical marketing theme made the move to protect its iconic jingle earlier this year.  The whistle, which has become a mainstay of Old Spice’s marketing campaign, has remained remarkably unchanged despite the brand’s decades long history.    To continue reading, click:  Proctor and Gamble Looks to Protect Old Spice Whistle as Sound Trademark

Thumbnail image for iphone.jpgIPNews® – Apple’s newest patent acquisition will allow users to listen to a voicemail as it is being left on their iPhone and pick up in the middle of the recording if desired.

The patent, which was assigned to Apple by another tech company, will likely be implemented in the next round of iPhones, which are expected to encompass a whole line of new features and extras. The voicemail screening capability will expand a user’s ability to screen calls, which is largely accomplished now through caller ID. To continue reading, click: Apple’s Latest Patent Allows for Voicemail Screening

music.jpgIPNews® – The battle over “I Am” has finally been resolved between Pharrell Williams and Will.i.am.

Williams, who has been involved in a muddle of intellectual property disputes as of late, one famously surrounding his involvement in Robin Thicke’s hit Blurred Lines, had expressed his desire to “talk things out” with Will.i.am.  While the details of whatever talk they (or their people) had remain secret, it seems that both have finally found a way to compromise on “I Am.”     To continue reading, click:  Pharrell Williams and Will.i.am Call it Quits in Trademark Fight

touchscreen.jpgIPNews® – In an effort to finally curb the trouble with Apple’s pinch-to-zoom technology, Samsung may finally have created a practicable workaround.

The new method, which is the subject of a recent patent application, involves circular motions that enable the zooming in or out of images on mobile devices.  While some are criticizing the technology as counter-intuitive, it seems to be Samsung’s best attempt yet at inventing a zoom function that effectively stays out of Apple’s way (and out of court).     To continue reading, click:  Samsung Creates a New Function to Compete With Apple’s Pinch-to-Zoom Patent

candy.jpgIPNews® –  King. com Limited has had a change of heart with regard to its decision to seek trademark protection over “Candy”.

The British mobile game app maker formally requested that the application be abandoned last month.  While the decision seems to indicate some sort of change in King’s approach to protecting its intellectual property, it is uncertain whether it will still pursue claims against makers of other “Candy” games, as its threat to do so ignited much of the criticism the company initially faced.    To continue reading, click:  Candy Crush Saga Makers Rethink “Candy” Trademark Application

ford.jpgIPNews® –  Things are heating up at Ford, where the company is facing allegations that it intentionally copied automatic turn signal technology.

The inventor, who has worked as an automotive design engineer, is demanding undisclosed damages. This lawsuit comes on the heels of another formal complaint of patent infringement issued against Ford, as another complaint was filed against Ford related to hybrid power train systems that Ford uses in many of its vehicles.    To continue reading, click:  Ford Infringed Automatic Turn Signal Technology, According to Patent Lawsuit