iphone.jpgIPNews® – A group of new patent applications filed by Apple evidence the company’s plans to use liquidmetal in devices such as the iPhone. 

The five patent filings are an exciting development for Apple customers in that the implementation of liquidmetal as described in the claims would be the first of its kind.  Given that Apple maintains an exclusive agreement with the company that markets the unique alloy, the Cupertino tech giant may very well be the first to produce a large scale liquidmetal product line.  To continue reading, click:  New Patent Filings Shed Light on Apple’s Plans for Liquidmetal in iPhones

football.jpgIPNews® – Gus Malzahn, the head coach of Auburn University’s football team, filed an application to gain trademark protection over his signature offensive style of “Hurry Up No Huddle.”

The application was filed in mid-November and has yet to be assigned to an examining attorney at the USPTO.  In the meantime, Auburn and its Hurry Up No Huddle face a major challenge this weekend against the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.  To continue reading, click:  Auburn Coach Seeks Trademark Protection Over “Hurry Up No Huddle”

USPTO Image.jpgIPNews® – California is getting its own branch of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The satellite office, which is set to open in late 2014, will make it easier for companies and inventors based on the West Coast to get their patents processed.  This new branch is the second of four total planned USPTO branches set to open across the county in the next few years.  To continue reading, click:  West Coast to Get its Own Federal Patent and Trademark Office Branch

coffee_beans.jpgIPNews® – A small New Hampshire-based coffee company won a major victory against big-time coffee maker Starbucks.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Starbucks had failed to show that its brand would be harmed by the smaller company’s “Charbucks” line of coffee products.  As such, it was denied the injunction it was seeking, which would have shut down all sales of “Charbucks.”  To continue reading, click:  Starbucks Loses “Charbucks” Trademark Dispute to Underdog Coffee Seller

shaver.jpgIPNews® – A recent complaint filed by Beardo, Inc. seeks relief for alleged infringement of its bearded hat designs.

Beardo last week filed a patent infringement lawsuit against three competing companies, claiming that its design for a hat connected to a knitted beard had been copied.  While no formal response has been submitted by any of the parties sued, Beardo is demanding that all three stop production of their products and that they pay damages .  To continue reading, click:  Beardo Sues over Bearded Hats Patent Dispute

iphone.jpgIPNews® – According to a patent filed earlier this year, Apple seeks to beef up Siri with crowd sourced capability in answering questions from users.

The newly filed patent describes technology similar to that which is already featured in ChaCha, the popular search engine where people can get real time answers provided by other people.   The move by Apple is being received as the tech giant’s response to customer gripes about Siri’s failures to provide answers to real-life questions.   To continue reading, click:  New Apple Patent Has Siri Sounding Like ChaCha

medical_instruments.jpgIPNews® – The TTAB recently ruled that BOTULEX is confusingly similar to BOTOX, which will prevent the BOTULEX trademark application from proceeding to registration.

The fight over younger looking skin has a winner as the makers of BOTOX successfully opposed a trademark application for BOTULEX, the brand name of similar skin rejuvenation products.  The victory for BOTOX came as a result of the TTAB’s finding that BOTOX is a famous trademark that is likely to be confused with BOTULEX .  To continue reading, click:  BOTOX Exes Out BOTULEX in Trademark Opposition

football.jpgIPNews® – An Alabama doctor and Crimson Tide fan has filed a trademark application for “Famous Jameis”, the nickname of Florida State University’s star quarterback Jameis Winston.

The new application was filed for clothing and athletic apparel and has yet to be examined by the USPTO.  Though the doctor has expressed interest in working with Jameis Winston, it appears more likely that Winston will oppose the filing.  To continue reading, click:  “Famous Jameis” Trademark Gets Swooped Up by Alabama Fan

marijuana.jpgIPNews® – Cannabis Biotech has filed a new patent that looks to streamline the way that medical marijuana is dispensed to its millions of patients.

Coming from the company that has demonstrated its intent to revolutionize the way medical marijuana is received is a recent patent filing for a dosage dispenser. The new product employs a means to more accurately meter each dosage and provide an easier and more accurate administration of the drug to patients.   To continue reading, click: Cannabis Biotech Announces Patent Filing for Medical Marijuana Dispensing Device

zynga.jpgIPNews® – Zynga won big in a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by Mattel, who owns the rights to the classic Scrabble board game.

The UK’s High Court this week ruled in favor of Zynga, finding that the name of its popular “Scramble With Friends” word game app does not infringe on Mattel’s Scrabble trademarks.  The presiding judge did find potential confusion between the logos, however, which means that Zynga will need to revamp the appearance of the name. To continue reading, click: Zynga Wins Scrabble/Scramble Trademark War With Mattel