We’ve gathered all our blogs from May in one handy list. We’ve covered everything from new patents granted to Facebook and Apple, to the latest problems for Nestle in its long-running shape mark campaign.
Apple may soon be able to read our veins
This blog covered the new patent granted to Apple regarding the way iPhones could use biometric powers. The patent is for technology that uses pulsed radiation to look through a person’s skin and extract data from their vein patterns. The idea would be to use it as an alternative, or addition, to the face recognition technology we’re all familiar with now.
Read more here: http://dawnellmoreblog.com/patents/apple-will-soon-be-able-to-read-our-veins/
Facebook’s most recent patent
As usual, Facebook is ahead of the tech curve and a recent patent granted to them on 8 May this year outlines a system to allow people to control networked devices around their home using a smartphone app. It will also allow the social network to utilise the data they extract from user’s habits to target advertising based on the contents, fixtures and fittings and design of their home.
Read more here: http://dawnellmoreblog.com/patents/dawn-ellmore-reviews-facebooks-newest-patent/
LinkedIn’s patent portfolio strategy
This blog looks at the patent strategy of the professional social network company LinkedIn prior to its acquisition by Microsoft in 2017. Having rocketed in popularity since its launch in 2003, LinkedIn realised that its relatively small patent portfolio made it vulnerable. It came up with a targeted strategy to mitigate the risk posed by having just 22 patents. When it reached a growth of 86% and almost $1 billion in revenue, LinkedIn launched its patent strategy.
Read more here: http://dawnellmoreblog.com/dawn-ellmore/dawn-ellmore-linkedins-patent-portfolio-strategy/
Lawsuit facing Tesla
In a strange twist of fate, Nikola (Motors) is now suing Tesla. While the technologically progressive company run by billionaire Elon Musk is rarely out of the headlines, it’s now facing a major lawsuit from a company called Nikola Motors. The suit was filed against Tesla on the grounds that they have stolen Nikola’s patented technology for use on their electric semi-truck. They said: Tesla’s design has caused confusion among customers. The confusion has diverted sales from Nikola to Tesla. Further, any problems with the Tesla Semi will be attributed to Nikola One, causing harm to the Nikola brand.”
Read more here: http://dawnellmoreblog.com/dawn-ellmore/2-billion-patent-lawsuit-facing-tesla/
China’s big moves in Intellectual Property
In 2008 China set out their goal of reaching a high level in creating, utilising, protecting and administering IP rights by 2020. This follows decades of essentially ‘turning a blind eye’ to infringements within its borders, instead focusing on growth. It has now shifted to higher quality development and the latest information shows that China filed more patents than any other country in the world in 2017.
Read more here: http://dawnellmoreblog.com/dawn-ellmore/dawn-ellmore-reviews-chinas-development-in-ip/
Japan’s initiative to teach children how to patent their ideas
As China overtakes Japan in terms of filing patents, the latter is taking a leaf out of the former’s book and bringing IP training into the education system. The idea is to open up the ideas of patenting ideas and innovations at an early age and showing the next generation that their ideas are valued and can be legally patented.
Read more here: https://www.dawnellmore.co.uk/japans-initiative-to-teach-children-how-to-patent-their-ideas/
The latest problems for Nestle
In an ongoing battle with Mondelēz (the owner of Cadbury) over the shape of its four-fingered chocolate bar, Nestlé has run into another problem. IN this blog we look at how the European Court of Justice has advised that the shape of the product isn’t distinctive across enough separate EU member states to keep its trade mark protection.
Read more here: https://www.dawnellmore.co.uk/reviews-the-latest-setback-for-nestle/