Week 14, Post 28: Retractable pillow

http://www.google.com/patents/US6711769?dq=6711769&hl=en&sa=X&ei=kieEUYSBDKbAigKi3YHICg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA

   Well hello. I want to lie down in my bed. And cover my head with an umbrella. That's just a normal thing. All the time. So this is a patent that is for a pillow with a retractable umbrella. I guess this would be effective maybe at the beach...but...that's like it. I don't know how often people are like ' dang, i really wish my umbrella was attached to my pillow. that's just my dream'. well obviously it was someone's.

   In terms of validity, it is quite valid. In terms of prior art, it does use a basic umbrella, a pillow, and devices that extend. It utilizes existing technology, so it passes enablement. However, it is quite obvious idea. Anyone could do this. And it is quite common sense.

   The idea is silly and i'm not sure who uses this.

Week 14, Post 27: Smoker's Hat

http://www.google.com/patents/US4858627?dq=US4858627&hl=en&sa=X&ei=QQ2EUaa-Laf5igLvsoD4DA&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA

This is a silly patent for a device that is a hat that covers the head of a smoker, intakes both contaminated smoke air and non containment  and then cleans it and deoderizes it into the air. This is just silly. I mean, who would actually wear this thing? Sure it's a great idea, but you have to charge the device, and frankly you'll look pretty silly.

   However, in terms of a patent. It does pass. It is a valid idea and does take contaminated air that smells bad and makes it smell good. In terms of prior art, I'm pretty sure no one has thought of this before and manufactured something like this. It does use technology that exists, so it passes enablement. It's non-obvious, no one has thought of this before (besides maybe spraying some febreeze). And it passes common sense, because i'm sure no one would have thought just to make it

   But that still doesn't pass the fact this is a silly design. Who would wear this?

  validity, prior art, enblement, obviousness, and common sense

Week 13, Post 26: New Backberry phone

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2013/04/blackberry-patent-featuring-slider-smartphone-might-hint-at-bb10-torch/
 
       BlackBerry just filed a new patent that hints that the company will be coming out with a new phone, a slider phone with a keyboard. While is great for the company, I just feel that a slide phone is sort of outdated in comparison to what's top in market, i.e. samsung galaxy and the apple iphone and it's touch screen. I personally know a lot of people who switched from blackberry to either iPhone or Android simply because the BlackBerry phone was outdated. I'm seriously interested how this will play out in the market. Will BlackBerry come out with apps? Will there be an app store? Or will blackberry run Android on it's phone?
        Also, do people really want a slide phone? Personally, I feel like a slidephone is so.....3 years ago. Maybe I really enjoy having a touch screen and sort of think a slide phone is old. Do we really need a keyboard? Is it really annoying. I use to have one with a touch screen and barely used the keyboard.
      I want to see what this new BlackBerry could become. How is it going to fare in market?

Week 13, Post 25: Hon Hai

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Press/2013/Apr13/04-16FoxconnPR.aspx

   So this past tuesday, Microsoft and Foxconn's parent company Hon Hai signed a license agreement.  What this agreement does allows for use of Microsoft's patent portfolio for devices running the Android and Chrome OS (i.e. smartphones, tablets, TV, etc). Hon Hai will be paying royalties to Microsoft.Hon Hai is currently the world's largest contract manufacturer. Hon Hai itself holds more thatn 54,0000 patents worldwide.
    To me, this agreement seems more like an acquisition of a company into Microsoft. Microsoft has gained the largest manufacturing company, meaning that that they could be soon producing a lot more Windows phones and distributing worldwide, their 'global reach'. Microsoft has many patents, and now have captured a super giant patent holder in a licensing contract.  This is not to say that Hon Hai will only work with Microsoft. Instead, Hon Hai has now agreed to manufacturer Microsoft devices. Since it's the largest manufacturer, I have a feeling that Microsoft has big plans for their market and are prepping to deploy a new device. I am interested to see how this plays out

Week 12, Post 24: Google, a third party?

http://www.fosspatents.com/2013/04/apple-calls-out-google-on-flawed-search.html
 
   So I was reading this article from FOSS patents about how Apple is calling out Google for a flawed search methodology. What reallly struck me important is Google's firm statement that they are a third party in the case in Apple vs. Samsung, and yet providing Samsung the OS in question, lawyers on retainment, and engineers to back up Samsung. In reality, Google is providing Samsung with all the help they can give.  Apple calls out Google stating that they cannot be a third party if they are so HEAVILY involved in the case.
   I have to agree with the article and Apple that it is unfair of Google to treat themselves as 3rd parties. They are highly involved in the case and taking sides. Google is also trying to not print the 'search words' they utilized in the case in regards to the slide to unlock litigation.
   It seems to me that Google is heavily involved and yet denying their involvement in this particular case. Google seems to be inconsistent in their involvement in other litagations that surround the technology and android field, sometimes they are involved and sometimes they are no where to be found. I think Google should fess up and stop saying they are a third party in the case between Apple and Samsung. They are clearly not, so why lie?

Week 12, Post 23: Troller's strike again!

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/04/12/apple-hit-with-patent-suit-over-simultaneous-voice-and-data-wi-fi-tech

Well, another non-practicing entitity, aka patent troll, has striked again! This time, Wyncomm, the NPE, is targeting Apple, Acer, ASUSTek, Blu Products, Bonac Innovation, and Casio. Wyncomm is arguing that these companies are violating a 1996 patent from AT&T that allowed for simultaneous voice and data technology. The patent originated in AT&T's possession but was transferred multiple times until it has reached Wyncomm.
     I think this is the first time I've actually read about a patent litigation utilizing patents that happened before 2000. I think technology has evolved and grown so much since then that earlier patents have been outdated. But obviously this is not the case. I am bit shocked that a company was able to patent the simultaneous voice and data technology. I know for a fact that our phones never had data capabilities in the 90s, so how did AT&T come up and patent such a concept? I still people had those brick cellphones only capable of calling, not even texting!!
    This will really affect Apple with their iPhones and iPads. I have an iPhone and the ability to talk to someone on the phone and then simultaneously google something up on the internet has been really useful. I think people who have gotten accustomed to this ability will not be pleased with newer versions of Apple products if the case proves Apple guilty and Wyncomm does not license.

Week 11, Post 22: Samsung loses

http://newyork.newsday.com/business/technology/apple-vs-samsung-iphone-ipad-patent-infringed-by-galaxy-nexus-judge-rules-1.5017414

Wow a big win for Apple. Apple just won a huge case that may stop the importation of Samsung Galaxy and Nexus. They infringed patent that described the methodology of text selection on the iPad/iPhone.
    I thought that this was huge for Apple. Samsung is clearly Apple's biggest competitor (and also biggest enemy in patent litigation) so this win will do a lot for Apple. It'll definitely hurt Samsung's sales as they would not be allowed to import their products in, and the US is a pretty big market for smart phones. In addition, Samsung will have to create a new method for text selection. Also, I feel that if Apple can win this case in the US, they may (and probably will) use the same arguments and sue Samsung in other countries to slow down their business. It's mean, but will definitely help Apple achieve world domination, I mean better sales. I am intrigued to see what Apple does next. I am also interested to see if Samsung will uphold the ruling or appeal. If they appeal, it's going to be a long lengthy legal battle ahead of us.