A relatively new blog that’s getting some attention is the Green Patent Blog, a site “dedicated to discussion and analysis of intellectual property issues in clean technology.” I have to admit, I’ve become a little skeptical of all the greenwashing that’s been going on in the world so I sometimes roll my eyes at any effort that seems to spend more time and money telling you their green than actually goes towards being green.
But the Green Patent Blog is no wash job. Featuring patent items on everything from Carbon Sequestration to Fuel Cells, this blog highlights many interesting patents and developments in clean technology.
One noteworthy item highlights the Eco-Patent Commons, an initiative by IBM, Sony, Pitney Bowes and Nokia to share patented technology that (purportedly) protects the environment. Each company has donated at least one patent to the Commons, which is administered by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a Geneva-based organization that promotes sustainability in business.
Members of the Eco-Patent Commons (known as “pledgers”) sign a nonassert pledge promising not to enforce the donated patents against those who use the patented technology to achieve an environmentally beneficial result (known as “implementers”).
But, in an effort to make it confusing, depending on whether or not the implementer asserting its patent against the pledger is another pledger, the pledger may, at its option, terminate the nonassertion against you if:
(a) you are a member of the Commons and you (or someone acting in concert with you) assert an unpledged patent against that pledger’s infringing components where such components alone (or when included in a product or service) reduce/eliminates natural resource consumption, reduce/eliminate waste generation or pollution, or otherwise provide environmental benefit, or (b) you assert any patent against that pledger and you are not a Member of the Commons.
Got that?
We think you’ll like the Green Patent Blog and look forward to more good stuff.
Posted May 7th, 2008 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Blawg Reviews
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This month’s issue of WIPO Magazine features an article about the daily blogging life of IPKat blogger Jeremy Phillips, named by Managing Intellectual Property Magazine in 2005 as one of the 50 most influential “people” in the IP world. Jeremy shares some thoughts on the rise of the IP blog.
In offering insights into IP blogging, Jeremy raises an interesting: “But can you trust them?” To this, he responds:
Critics of blogs complain that, while law journals are refereed and books carefully checked before publication, blogs undergo no equivalent quality control process. That’s true, but most blogs enable readers to post their own comments, so that a blogger’s mistakes can be pointed out, his questions answered and his position on issues of the day endorsed or rejected. Most IP bloggers also cite their sources or hyperlink directly to the source of their information.
Other critics object that bloggers are too selective: they may write up the Da Vinci Code dispute if they like the outcome, but ignore the spat over plagiarism of Harry Potter if they don’t. This criticism misses the point: a blog records what the blogger wants to get across. It is not an encyclopaedia – and what for example Patent Baristas chooses to leaves out, Patently-O may wish to feast on – or vice versa.
So, what does it take to be an IP blogger? Jeremy sums it up nicely in stating “Asking what it is like being an IP blogger is a bit like asking what it’s like to be a human being.” Although, he mentions that it helps to have patient and understanding family and colleagues.
So, what does Jeremy think is in it for the bloggers?
Some of us do it out of a missionary zeal to convert readers to IP in general, or to our personal views concerning it. Others seek to build up recognition, and hence business, in their fields of expertise. Some just do it for the fun. But there’s one thing you can be sure of: for as long as blogs are free, none of us does it for the money!
We concur.
If you know of a new IP blog that should be noticed, let us know.
Posted April 24th, 2008 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Blawg Reviews
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It seems that — on the spur of the moment — ProBlogger has declared today Blogger Appreciation Day and has asked readers to email another blogger to let them know that you appreciate something about them. He also suggested writing a post with your words of appreciation.
I have a lot to be appreciative for and, frankly, I don’t always stop and take the time to let people know that I really do appreciate their efforts. I especially appreciate all the great bloggers I’ve had the privilege of interacting with over the years.
I started making a list of all the great blogs but it became a little overwhelming in size. Then, while mulling over my laundry list of people to recognize, I realized that one group of bloggers I really need to thank are those that (without prompting) link to Patent Baristas in the course of discussion on their own blogs.
So, in commemoration of the Semi-Official First Annual Blogger Appreciation Day, here are some of the blogs that have linked to Patent Baristas over the last month or so. I hope that you will take a look at these great sites and maybe find a new gem to add to your list of favorites.
I’m certain that there are more out there that I’ve not seen. Please feel free to leave your thoughts and links in the comments section below.
Posted April 14th, 2008 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Blawg Reviews,
Current Affairs
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Today is Pi Day 2008. Pi, Greek letter (
), is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi = 3.1415926535… Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14th at 1:59 p.m. (*As noted in the comments, this only works if you write the month in front of the day.) The first theoretical calculation of a value of pi was by Archimedes of Syracuse (287-212 BC). You can celebrate with a Pi-Ku.
thinkBiotech has some new books out on biotechnology.
The Patent Office held a Biotechnology/Chemical/Pharmaceutical Customer Partnership on March 12. It included a presentation on the Patent Prosecution Highway and Enablement in Claims to Therapeutic Treatment.
The Collegiate Inventors Competition is now accepting entries for 2008. The Competition promotes exploration in invention, science, engineering, technology, and other creative endeavors and provides college students to compete based on the originality and inventiveness of their new idea, process, or technology. One Undergraduate and one Graduate winner or team each receive $15,000. One Grand Prize winner or team receives $25,000.
Gmo Food for Thought Blog has a piece on the discovery of the plant gene that controls the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed and water released by a plant. In practical terms, this means a plant that could both survive in severe drought conditions AND help fight global warming effects.
Since Spring is coming, I’ll mention that Husqvarna launched the world’s first automatic electric solar powered hybrid robotic lawn mower.
Finally, the baristas at Starbucks would like a $100 million tip back from the company. (Hat tip Blawgreview Ed.)
Posted March 14th, 2008 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Friday Round-Up,
Blawg Reviews
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Antitrust Review has Blawg Review #149 up and steaming, including “what is undoubtedly the greatest four paragraphs to ever appear in a newspaper.” This review is chock full of great posts — more than can be absorbed in one sitting.
We enjoyed the Drug and Device Law Blog’s (lengthy) review the FDA’s “new draft guidelines that slightly relaxed some aspects of the Agency’s prohibitions concerning promotion of off-label uses by manufacturers of FDA-regulated products.”
Don’t miss David Giacalone’s review of Leap Day at f/k/a or the question of penalties for unlawful cancellation of health insurance policies.
The Most Commented Post Award goes to Above The Law’s what could happen to a highly-paid NY lawyer if Congress eliminates the social security tax cap, a guest post by Ted Frank, a resident fellow at the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute. (Note: the post ties the question to whether Barack Obama is elected even though there wasn’t any evidence that Obama is even in favor of eliminating the cap so it’s really just a “what if” that applies to any candidate or party.)
Posted March 4th, 2008 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Blawg Reviews
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Brett Trout at BlawgIT has posted the Patent Meme after noticing that patent attorneys are the epitome of sex appeal, with thousands of bloggers fawning over patents and the like.
Started as an “If only I could have a link to all the important patent law blogs in one place,” Brett has compiled a list of patent blogs to raise awareness of the genre.
From the p-meme, here are some that I was not reading regularly but are worth a look:
Benefit of Hindsight - an anonymous blog by a DC patent associate who “would like to move to boutique and remove anonymity.”
Patent Arcade - resource for video game IP law, news, cases, and commentary.
Patentably Academic - billed as the saga of a Patent Examiner in the Patent Training Academy (PTA).
Patentably Defined - a patent prosecution blog by an astrophysicist.
Post-Grant - dedicated to post-grant patent procedures set off by the Patent Act of 2005, the precursor of the Patent Act of 2006, which is the precursor of the Patent Act of 2007, which is soon to be the precursor the Patent Act of 2008.
See the whole list here.
Posted February 6th, 2008 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Blawg Reviews
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Litigator/Lobbyist Dan Hull at What About Clients? posted Blawg Review #145 this week. The review, entitled VENI, VIDI, VICI : Super Bowl Blawg Review, features everything from the phenonmenology of political correctness to where do judges come from?
We especially enjoyed J. Craig Williams piece on the need for cultural literacy (But sorry about that 20/700 eyesight. Ouch.) Although, the Obvious Rejection had nothing to do with a 103 rejection by the patent office.
Bummer that you can’t have all your friends over to watch the big game. And who knew that everyone would call in sick Monday morning?
We would also add the California Biotech Law Blog’s entry on the future of the SBIR program. We’re still trying to find a good use for Fontifier.
Posted February 5th, 2008 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Blawg Reviews
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A law blog on intellectual property worth noting is the IP Thinktank Blog by Duncan Bucknell, an independent IP consultant. Hailing from Victoria, Australia, IP Thinktank provides one of the best round-ups of IP law from across the globe.
This is a very thorough, well-laid out blog that provides good insight into strategic lifecycle management for both innovator (brandname) pharmaceutical companies as well as generic companies.
One recent post lists the Top 5 reasons not to settle IP Litigation from the IP owner’s perspective:
- The other side are not even close to offering a reasonable deal.
- A state sanctioned monopoly is worth a lot more to you, even after the costs of litigation.
- This is one of many similar actions currently ongoing and you need a precedent and to send a signal to (a) the market, and (b) the other infringers.
- Settling this one will create a cascade of difficulties across many jurisdictions.
- Your CEO just doesn’t get along with the person in charge of that other company (NOT).
You can also learn the word Champerty — a doctrine of law which forbids certain situations in which a third party pays litigation expenses in return for a share in any proceeds.
We recommend adding IP Thinktank to your list.
Posted December 11th, 2007 by Stephen Albainy-Jenei in
Blawg Reviews
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