Do We Already Have the Technology to Solve Global Warming?

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A recent article in Bloomberg News poses the question: do we already have the technology needed to solve global warming?  Representatives from all over the world are finishing up in Paris trying to agree on climate accord. Entrepreneurs and investors are ready to tackle the challenges regardless.   

Wealthy donors agreed to invest $2 billion for development in the area of clean energy research. Twenty of the world's largest economies agreed to increase their R&D spending on new energy by at least 200%. Clean-energy patents have significantly increased in the US in recent years.

The recent focus on climate saving technology and the need to reduce global warming has reopened the divide between two schools of thought: should we invent new technologies or deploy effective ideas that already exist? 

One clean-energy entrepreneur Jigar Shah submits that all of the technology needed to solve the global warming crisis is already here.  Some technologies include sharing economy businesses such as Uber and Airbnb, but others include companies that reward good behavior or that make wearable sensors that interact with a smartphone to report air quality in the immediate vicinity.

One of Pure Energy’s managing partners, Nicholas Eisenberger, states that there’s an “unloved, unnoticed tech center that’s up and coming and that can do a big part of the job, too. Why isn’t there more attention to this?” 

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.

Chinese Patent Troll Takes on Apple

For years now western countries have been complaining about the lack of enforcement of intellectual property laws in China.  Well, that may be changing if this recent case is any indicator.  A Chinese company has recently sued Apple for patent infringement on a number of different patents it has amassed in its patent portfolio.

Chinese company BYD has sued Apple and five other companies in the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court for patent infringement related to the antennae in the iPhone 6 as well as other technology.  BYD has asked the court to order Apple to stop manufacture and assembly of the iPhones as a result of the alleged infringement.

BYD has stated that it owns over 12,000 patents in China and roughly 8000 internationally.  This infringement suit against Apple could be critical to Apple’s ability to manufacture phones and other Apple products in China.  China is where a significant majority of Apple products are made.  This action may seriously hamper Apple’s manufacturing and supply chain and may force it to diversify its manufacturing and assembly sites worldwide.

What’s the take away here?  BYD has managed to create a significant patent portfolio and is positioned itself to challenge Apple.  Any intellectual property portfolio must be managed in a strategic way so as to meet the business goals of the organization.  

Protecting your innovative developments is critical to any organization.  Having the right person to help you make that decision 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.

Patent Demand Letter Response: Do Nothing?

There was an interesting article yesterday in the Wall Street Journal about patent demand letters.  These are letters sent alleging patent infringement and demanding a cessation in all infringing activity usually followed by a request for a payment.  The author, Colleen Chien, proposes that sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all.

The article discusses the tactics of patent trolls, competitors and “patent bullies” and how they may strategically pursue one or more parties for infringement.  In some cases, where a patent troll or patent owner trying to test the waters may send out demand letters to obtain settlements from a number of parties.  However, Ms. Chien also points out that there are times that a patent holder may want to litigate in an effort to obtain a large damage award in a jury trial.

One thing Ms. Chien doesn’t address is the merits of the demand letter.  When you receive a letter alleging patent infringement, do the allegations have any merit?  A “do nothing” response may set you up for a patent infringement suit that may have been avoidable. 

What’s the take away here?  You are better off having a patent demand letter reviewed by patent counsel to address the merits of the accusation.  Then you can make an informed decision as to whether the substantive allegations in the letter deserve a response.   

Protecting your innovative developments is critical to any organization.  Having the right person to help you make that decision 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.