microsoft-building.jpgIPNews® – A German court granted Microsoft Inc. an injunction Thursday against the sale of any of Google Inc.-owned Motorola Mobility LLC’s devices that infringe a Microsoft-held European patent for a software input function.

The technology at issue is a cornerstone of the Android operating system, and the judge found that the operating system itself infringes a key claim of the patent. Motorola is the only leading Android device maker that has not yet licensed the patented technology from Microsoft. To continue reading, click: German Court Hands Down Motorola Sales Ban In Microsoft Patent Case

nexus7.jpgIPNews® – Google Inc.’s advertising campaign in support of its newly introduced Nexus 7 tablet is infringing Market Street Press Inc.’s trademark for the phrase “The Playground Is Open,” according to a new lawsuit Market Street filed in North Carolina last week.

Market Street, which sells promotional and marketing merchandise, says it has been using the trademark for at least four years while Google only started using it this year. As the far larger company, Google’s use of the trademark is likely to overwhelm consumers’ association of the phrase with Market Street, the complaint says. To continue reading, click: Google Accused Of Ripping Off Slogan For Nexus 7 Ads

google.jpgIPNews® – Unwired Planet LLC attacked Google Inc. and Apple Inc. in Nevada federal court Wednesday over the tech giants’ alleged infringement of its patent portfolio covering mobile internet technology.

The company was an early innovator in mobile internet browsers for phones, but was pushed out of the market by infringing competition, the complaints say. Unwired Planet sold off its software and product businesses in April to focus solely on licensing the patent portfolio it retained to the companies it believes drove it out of business with their infringement. To continue reading, click: Google, Apple Hit With New Mobile Patent Infringement Suits

registered R.jpgIPNews® – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board shot down a Columbus, Ohio science center’s attempt to trademark its name earlier in September, ruling that the proposed trademark “Center of Science and Industry” is merely descriptive and has not acquired enough distinctiveness.

The center’s acronym, COSI, has earned far more distinctiveness than the name itself, and the name rarely or never appears apart from the acronym, the trademark examining attorney indicated. Various third parties also use a range of variations on the name for museum services as well, the TTAB said. To continue reading, click: PTO Shuts Down Science Center’s Trademark Appeal

microsoft-building.jpgIPNews® – Microsoft Inc. said Monday that it has renewed and refiled trademark applications for the name of the classic 1990s one-on-one fighting video game series Killer Instinct.

The announcement immediately provoked speculation in the gaming community about a reissue of the original games on Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade, or even an entirely new installment in the series. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shows a listing for the word trademark Killer Instinct filed on Microsoft’s part on Sept. 12, registered for video game software and entertainment services providing video games online. To continue reading, click: Microsoft Renews “Killer Instinct” Trademark, Stokes Hopes Of Game Revival

 

Order_of_Malta.jpgIPNews® – Two religious charitable organizations feuding over the trademark rights to the name “Order of Malta” had their dispute tossed back down to the district court by the Eleventh Circuit last week.

The district court erred in finding that the plaintiff order committed fraud on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the appeals court ruled in reversing the cancellation of four trademarks held by the plaintiff order. The rival Orders of Malta in question trace their roots back to an eleventh century organization founded in Jerusalem. To continue reading, click: Eleventh Circuit Sends Back Rival Orders Of Malta Trademark Infringement Case

brazil.jpgIPNews® – Hewlett-Packard said Wednesday that it has “amicably resolved” patent litigation it pursued against a Brazilian company over HP-compatible printer inkjet cartridges that HP said were covered by its patents.

Under the deal with the Brazil-based Rio Branco, distributor of the Brazilian brand Maxprint, Maxprint acknowledged that the patents are valid and enforceable. Maxprint will have to stop selling the cartridges in question in Brazil and in other countries where Maxprint-brand cartridges are sold. To continue reading, click: HP Settles Brazilian Ink Cartridge Patent Litigation

heart.jpgIPNews® – The Federal Circuit on Tuesday ruled that a lower court was wrong to find Medtronic Inc. did not infringe two patents for a heart implant device held by a company that licensed the patents to a Boston Scientific Corp. unit.

The appeals court remanded the matter for further proceedings, saying the district court relied on a legally incorrect allocation of the burden of proof to find noninfringement in the limited circumstances of the case. The district court also incorrectly construed the claim terms in question, though, as Medtronic had argued on appeal, the appeals court said. To continue reading, click: Federal Circuit Overturns Noninfringement Finding In Medtronic Heart Patent Case

iphone-apps.jpgIPNews® – The U.S. International Trade Commission on Tuesday kicked off a probe into whether Apple Inc. is importing iPhones, iPads and other products into the U.S. that infringe patents held by Motorola Mobility LLC.

Motorola asked the ITC to investigate the alleged infringement a month ago. The ITC emphasized that its decision to institute the investigation does not indicate any opinion on its part regarding the merits of the case. To continue reading, click: ITC Says It Will Act On Motorola’s Patent Infringement Complaint V. Apple

microsoft.jpgIPNews® – Microsoft Inc. said Tuesday that it has forged a licensing agreement with Research in Motion Ltd. for its latest technology to optimize flash memory storage, widely used in smartphones and other devices.

The Blackberry maker will now be able to use Microsoft’s Extended File Allocation Table, known as exFAT, a modern file system that facilitates large files for audiovisual media. The system also enables seamless data portability and an easy interchange between desktop PCs and other electronic devices, according to Microsoft. To continue reading, click: Microsoft, RIM Strike Deal On File Storage Patent Licensing