iphone.jpgIPNews® –  Apple revealed the new iPhone 5s today, the device that carries the fingerprint scanning technology described in a new patent.

In 2012, Apple filed a patent for fingerprint reading technology, which went largely unfound until just days before the September 10 reveal of the iPhone 5s.   Sure enough, as we saw from Apple’s latest product unveiling, the major feature of the new iPhone is this new technology, which will allow users to unlock their phones with a simple touch.  To continue reading, click: Apple’s Fingerprint Technology Patent Comes to Life in New iPhone 5s

sandwich-footlong.jpgIPNews® –  Subway endured a major loss this week as the TTAB held that “footlong” does not function as a trademark.

Earlier this year, a convenience store chain challenged mega fast food operator Subway, opposing its federal trademark application for “footlong.”   In finding for the opposing party on nearly every issue raised, the Board firmly struck down Subway’s ability to register the Trademark, despite millions spent on advertising it.  To continue reading, click: TTAB Squashes Hope for Subway’s “Footlong” Trademark

chicken-wings.jpgIPNews® – Washington D.C.’s famed put-on-everything condiment, “Mumbo sauce,” has come under fire as of late with a TTAB ruling granting legal ownership of the trademark to a Chicago based company.

In 2011, Capital City Mumbo Sauce LLC filed a petition to cancel a trademark registration held by Select Brands.  The TTAB sided with Select Brands, however, and effectively limited D.C. establishments from using the name to refer to one of its most iconic culinary treats.  To continue reading, click: TTAB Rules that Washington D.C. Can’t Claim “Mumbo Sauce” Trademark

iPad.jpgIPNews® – Apple last week scored a major win with parents by obtaining patent protection over technology that could help them limit their kids’ access to their iPads and iPhones.

Apple’s newly granted patent claims exclusivity over technology that allows device owners to implement controls that limit access to the device depending on who is using it.   This news comes after years of pushback from Apple customers who have complained that Apple’s lack of user profiles causes kids to have unlimited access to their parent’s devices.   To continue reading, click: Apple Wins Patent Protection for “Kids’ Mode” on iPad and iPhone

music-headphones.jpgIPNews® –  Streaming media provider Spotify has been hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit over the way it allows users to create, play and share music playlists.

The party bringing the claim, Ministry of Sound, argues that Spotify infringes copyrights by allowing users to copy and then re-share songs in the same order as the songs featured in its dance track compilation albums.   While Spotify has yet to answer, the case could have major implications for the future of copyright law as it applies not to individual works themselves, but to the selection and arrangement of such works.   To continue reading, click: Spotify and Ministry of Sound Set to Clash Over Copyrightability of Dance Music Compilations

concert.jpgIPNews® – Rocawear, the famous clothing line owned partially by Jay Z, has been sued for trademark infringement by a smaller company called HoodLove LLC.

HoodLove LLC argues that its registered trademark for “Hood Love” has been infringed by Jay Z’s Rocawear clothing brand, which recently began selling a T-shirt with the words coupled with a lyric from one of Jay Z’s most famous tracks.  There is no word yet on how Rocawear plans to respond to the lawsuit, which demands lost profits and a cessation of sales of the T-shirts.  To continue reading, click: Jay Z’s Clothing Line Sued for Allegedly Knocking Off “Hood Love” Trademark

apple-store.jpgIPNews® – Apple, Inc. has gained patent protection over a cool new 3D technology that would add to the way that millions of Apple customers interact with their iPads and iPhones. 

Apple’s newest patent is poised to significantly change its user experience by allowing customers to “pull” 3D objects from their touch screen devices.   While other companies have attempted to develop similar 3D user controls, the simplicity of Apple’s new advanced technology has excited tech geeks and average consumers a like .  To continue reading, click: New Patent Protects 3D User Control for Apple Devices

pirate_flag.jpgIPNews® – Fan favorite grocery chain Trader Joe’s has filed a complaint against Michael Hallat, once dubbed their “best customer,” for trademark infringement and other claims for re-selling the grocer’s popular goods across the border.

Trader Joe’s claims that Hallat’s store, Pirate Joe’s, infringes on its trademark and damages its brand as a whole by re-selling the items without authorization.  The fight between the two appears to just be heating up, however, as Pirate Joe’s loyal customers and his website and blog have shown no sign of backing down.  To continue reading, click: Trader Joes Sues its Own Self Proclaimed “Best Customer” for Trademark Infringement

glasses.jpgIPNews® – With its recently approved patent, Google has introduced the world to its plans for revolutionizing the advertising industry.

This new patent, if implemented, would be used on Google’s Glass device, a set of high tech eyeglasses with cameras to record what the user is viewing.  This patent for a “gaze tracking device” would capture the ads that users view and charge advertisers per view.  To continue reading, click Google Glass Opens Doors to New Advertising Possibilities

watch.jpgIPNews® – Based on recent trademark and patent applications, South Korean-based Samsung Electronics Co. is poised to revolutionize the tech industry by developing a smart watch, capable of browsing the internet and making phone calls.

Samsung recently filed a U.S. trademark application for “Samsung Galaxy Gear” to cover “wearable electronic devices.”  The company has also recently filed a design patent for a wristwatch with a bendable screen.  To continue reading, click: Trademark Application for “Samsung Galaxy Gear” Reveals Future of Tech