Ericsson Sues Apple Over Mobile Phone Technologies

Ericsson AB has sued Apple Inc. in three countries, according to statements from Ericsson.  The lawsuits are based on patent infringement allegations stemming from failed licensing negotiations. 

Ericsson has filed actions in Germany, the U.K. and the Netherlands and added to pending US actions.  Erisson is looking for a patent license agreement and royalty payments for its patented mobile phone interface, battery and operating technologies.   

Ericsson’s chief intellectual property officer, Kasim Alfalahi, stated that “everybody needs to take a license for the technologies we are providing to them” and “it’s a very serious thing, regardless of who the company is.”

Ericsson and Apple had a previous license agreement that expired in January 2015.  The companies sued each other when renewal negotiations for a new license failed.  Apple seeks a court ruling on whether Ericsson’s royalty rates for its technology were fair and reasonable.

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on the matter and referred to a January statement that the company’s “always been willing to pay a fair price to secure the rights,” and that legal action was needed to help strike an agreement with Ericsson.

Apple’s iPhone and iPad have been highly successful in recent years, but Ericsson was one of the early entrants in the mobile-device market. The company sold its mobile-phone business to Sony Corp. in February 2012, five years after Apple introduced the iPhone.

BOEING INVENTS NEW DEVICE FOR SLEEPING IN COACH CLASS

Boeing received an issued U.S. patent recently on a device that makes it easier for passengers to sleep on an airplane.   The patent (U.S. 8,985,693) entitled, “Transport Vehicle Upright Sleep Support System”, consists of a backpack device that is removed and placed around the structure of a standard economy (cattle) class seat.  The device is designed to enable a passenger to face plant themselves into a support cushion that will enable them to sleep essentially sitting up and leaning forward.  The face support cushion has an opening around the face so that you don’t feel entirely smothered.  The device also has sleeves to support the passenger’s arms.   

The device is designed to be used on an existing standard coach class seat.  You may be able to sleep better leaning forward than the traditional pose of reclining backward.  According to the patent, when trying to sleep in a reclined position, there is a natural tendency to relax the body’s muscles and move into a more horizontal position which awakens the body. 

Now, if they could only do something about the space in coach class…!

Capitalizing on innovative developments is critical to any organization.  Having the right person to help you make those decisions is important.  The Law Office of Kathleen Lynch PLLC is designed to help businesses such as yours keep ahead of the game.   The first telephone consultation is free.  Email us at klynch@kliplaw.com.

Teen Hacker Steals $100 Million in Trade Secrets

As the mother of boys and an IP attorney, this story hit me in more ways than one.  Four young men who were part of a computer hacking ring plead guilty to breaking into computer networks of technology companies and the U.S. Army and stealing more than $100 million in intellectual property and other data.  One of the young men was 18 years old.

Allegations of the cyber theft included software and data related to the Xbox One gaming console and Xbox Live online gaming system; popular games such as “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” and “Gears of War 3”;  as well as software used to train military helicopter pilots.

The Assistant Attorney assigned to the case stated “the American economy is driven by innovation.  But American innovation is only valuable when it can be protected.  Today’s guilty pleas show that we will protect America’s intellectual property from hackers, whether they hack from here or from abroad.”

The ages of the other young men are 20, 22 and 28.   The men were from the United States and Canada.   The estimated value of the intellectual property and data that the defendants stole is between $100 million and $200 million.  The United States has seized over $620,000 in cash and other proceeds related to the conduct.

So, don’t underestimate the value of your trade secrets or proprietary information.  Do what you can to protect it.  In addition, keep an eye on your kids! 

Protecting proprietary information is critical to any organization.  Having the right person to help you make those decisions is important.  The Law Office of Kathleen Lynch PLLC is designed to help businesses such as yours keep ahead of the game.   The first telephone consultation is free.  Email us at klynch@kliplaw.com.