cronut.jpgIPNews® – The USPTO has at last granted pastry chef Dominque Ansel  registration of his “Cronut” trademark, but it hasn’t been without a backlash from other bakers.

Ansel, whose in-store descriptions of the Cronut describe the treat as “Chef Dominique Ansel’s signature creation inspired by a croissant-doughnut hybrid,” is fending off criticism if his choice to register the Cronut as a trademark.   While he takes no credit for inventing the popular dessert, he defends his right to make exclusive use of the name.  To continue reading, click:  Things Get Sticky for French Chef, who Finally Lands “Cronut” Trademark Registration

google.jpgIPNews® – Controversial patent holdings company Intellectual Ventures is taking Google to court over a series of patents used in its Motorola smartphones.  

Google has defended its use of the technology by claiming “There’s no building at Intellectual Ventures…They are in the business of bringing lawsuits.”  If Google obtains a victory in the case, it will likely have major implications for the future of much debated companies like Intellectual Ventures, which make huge profits by patrolling their large volumes of inventions.  To continue reading, click:  Google Squares Off Against Intellectual Ventures in Patent Fight

coins.jpgIPNews® – Famed rapper Kanye West has filed a lawsuit against the makers of “COINYE” bitcoin, alleging trademark infringement.

The lawsuit was filed last week in federal court after demands to resolve the issue through a cease and desist letter failed.   West’s legal team contends that the COINYE currency wrongfully implies an association between the entertainer and the anonymously branded virtual currency.   To continue reading, click:  Kanye West Hurls Trademark Lawsuit at Makers of “COINYE” Currency

ibm.jpgIPNews® – America’s top tech companies, including IBM, Apple, Google and Samsung all received top spots on the annual list of companies with most patents granted.

The list, which is compiled annually by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, reveals mainly big name tech companies as the recipients of most of the patents granted by the USPTO in 2013.   Some surprises did occur, however, with struggling Canadian phone-maker BlackBerry holding on in the top 50, as well as San Diego based microchip manufacturer Qualcomm gaining huge headway into the number 9 spot.    To continue reading, click:  IBM Tops Annual List of Patent Assignees in 2013

wave.jpgIPNews® – Kate Spade has successfully fended off claims of trademark infringement brought by a fellow New York City based clothing brand.

Saturdays Surf NYC alleged that consumers were likely to believe that its brand was associated with the larger Kate Spade brand.   In its ruling, the court sided completely with Kate Spade and found that since the word “Saturday” is so commonly used to refer to casual weekend attire that there was weak protection in it for Saturdays Surf NYC.    To continue reading, click:  Kate Spade Scores Big Win in “Saturday” Trademark Dispute

iphone-apps.jpgIPNews® – Blackberry has commenced a lawsuit against a tech startup company that makes keyboard add-ons for iPhones, in an effort to make typing easier for Apple users.

The dwindling smartphone manufacturer filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Typo, which is backed by Ryan Seacrest.   Blackberry alleges that the Typo Keyboard infringes on the look and feel of its devices, which are known for their full physical keyboards.    To continue reading, click:  Blackberry Goes After Ryan Seacrest’s iPhone Keyboard for Patent Infringement

ford.jpgIPNews® –  Tesla has made the bold move to take on Ford over the trademark rights to the “Model E” name, which many sources speculate will be the name of Tesla’s next electric car.

Elon Musk’s famed electric-only car manufacturing company filed a trademark application for “Model E” in the summer of 2013.  The move stirred up the legal team at Ford Motors, which then filed a competing trademark application for the same name, commencing a fight that has likely just begun between the two carmakers.   To continue reading, click:  Ford and Tesla Clash Over “Model E” Trademark

iphone.jpgIPNews® – A recent patent application hints at Apple’s plans for iPhone 6, which appears likely to include voice tagging and searching.

The latest filing comes on the heels of several other patents already on the books, which are all rumored to be technological implementations for the upcoming iPhone 6.   Taken together, the patent applications make it likely that the next iPhone installment will have a larger screen, improved Siri and that it might even respond to users simply holding their fingers over the device.  To continue reading, click:  New Patent Filing Adds to Anticipation of iPhone 6

duck.jpgIPNews® – A Napa Valley winery has sued Duck Commander, Inc. and those responsible for producing and selling wines related to the popular Duck Dynasty reality TV series.   

Duckhorn Wine Company alleges that confusion is likely to occur among consumers between the Duck Dynasty themed wines and its own wines, which it has been producing under the Duckhorn name for decades.   Duckhorn is asking that the production and sale of the wines be stopped immediately and that it receive  punitive and compensatory damages.  To continue reading, click:  Trademark Fight Ensues over Duck Dynasty Wines

samsung.jpgIPNews® – A recently filed Korean patent gives clues about Samsung’s idea for a foldable dual display screen.

The new screen would be able to fold completely in half, giving it the ability to display twice as much information while still maintaining portability.  Concerns have already arisen, however, about the new interfaces that will have to be developed to support the new form features.  To continue reading, click:  Samsung Patent Reveals Plans for a Futuristic Foldable Smartphone Display