by Kathleen Lynch | May 19, 2016 | Entrepreneurship, Innovation, IP Management
Want to sell your patent? Several multinational firms including IBM, Facebook, and Ford are participating in a program called the Industry Patent Purchase Program (IP3). It is being run by a non-profit organization called Allied Security Trust.
It is essentially a take it or leave it proposition where the patent owner offers for sale their patent and any of the participating companies have the option of purchasing it. The participating companies are primarily focused in the technology and automotive sectors. The areas innovation in which they are most interested include:
- computers and software;
- consumer electronics;
- communications;
- semiconductor & components;
- healthcare & medical;
- automotive;
- lighting; and
- financial services.
The range of value of any one patent is not certain. However, Google ran a similar program last year and spent between $3,000 and 250,000 on patents with the average price being about $48,000.
The window of opportunity for submitting an offer is between May 25, 2016 through June 8, 2016. The submission form and further details can be found here.
So for any patent owner out there who has had difficulty trying to get the attention of the corporate world, now is your chance.
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 [email protected].
by Kathleen Lynch | Apr 12, 2016 | Innovation, Patent Prosecution
One of the most famous patents had part of its record lost for 36 years. Part of the patent file on the Wright Brothers’ first flying machine disappeared in 1980 when it was returned to the National Archives by the Smithsonian Museum where it had been on loan for an exhibit. It was not until 2000 that archivists discovered it missing. In March of this year the record was discovered in a cave outside of Kansas City where government records are stored.
Government officials speculate that the record was likely misfiled in 1980 and made it difficult to find. The papers, along with the rest of the patent file, will now be part of an exhibit at the National Archives starting May 20th.
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 [email protected].
by Kathleen Lynch | Apr 6, 2016 | Innovation, Patent Prosecution
Apple recently was granted a patent that detects and deletes swear words from song lyrics on audio tracks. The system first finds the explicit language in a track and then removes it. In addition, the system can replace the profane language with milder lyrics or background music. The system also works with audio books.
Apple has not indicated that it plans on bringing the technology to Apple Music in the near future. As the mother of twin teenagers, I can only hope!
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 [email protected].
by Kathleen Lynch | Apr 1, 2016 | Patent Prosecution
Writing a patent application is always a challenge. In each case, it is a balance. On one side, you are trying to ensure that you have provided an accurate and complete description of the invention. On the other you worry about what the patent examiner might turn up in prior art that you didn’t think about when drafting the application. Sometimes what is included may come back to limit the scope of your invention.
This is exactly what happened to UltimatePointer LLC when they sued Ninentendo for patent infringement (UltimatePointer, LLC v. Nintendo Co., Ltd., No. 15-1297 (Fed. Cir. Mar. 1, 2016). The Federal Circuit, the appellate court for patent cases, affirmed a district court finding of noninfringement by Nintendo. The district court found the term “handheld device” to require a “direct pointing device”. The Federal Circuit found that UltimatePointer had made “repeated derogatory statements” relating to indirect pointing devices in the patent specification. The court stated that the “criticized technologies were not intended to be within the scope of the claims.” The court determined that Nintendo’s pointing involves the hand held remote relative to the sensor bar and not the television screen image. As a result, the court found the Wii system was considered an “indirect” pointing device and did not infringe.
What’s the take away here? Be careful what you write in your specification, especially in the area of describing other prior art. You never know what prior art you may encounter down the road and you need to keep as many options open as possible.
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 [email protected].
by Kathleen Lynch | Mar 16, 2016 | Innovation
Every once in awhile I come across a great inventorship story. This is the story of Jane ní Dhulchaointigh (pronounced “knee-gull-queen-tig”). A UK product designer, Jane developed a moldable glue which is sold today as Sugru.
Jane started out wanting a more effective ergonomic knife handle. Using silicone caulk and sawdust, she spent 6 years experimenting with over 5000 different variations on a moldable glue formula. Once she had attained the desired formula, Jane wanted to approach 3M to buy it. But the year was 2008 and many advised her against it.
Since necessity is the mother of invention, Jane and her team decided to launch the product themselves. They initially focused on the online craft market and used social media to help advertise their product.
What’s the take away here? Be persistent. It took Jane 6 years to develop this product and formula. Most of us would have given up after 6 hours. Also choose your advisors well and follow solid advice. Sugru’s sales skyrocketed with the strong emphasis on social media. Jane has also maintained a strong competitive advantage internationally by using the patent system.
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 [email protected].
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