Report Bee - An interesting approach

Well, I came up knowing an interesting Indian venture named "Report Bee". It is a recent start up, about six months old with an interesting concept line. It certainly grabbed my attention. As the name suggests, "Report Bee" is an alternative solution to physical report cards. It provides you with a smart report card alternative to gauge students and  teachers performance, without any practical changes in the school's evaluation process. Report bee has built in features like authorized employee access, separate access details for parents(available in later versions), and many others user friendly features. 

The working methodology involves filling online forms to enter relevant data like student's marks, subjects, classes schedule etc. They have an interesting blog where you can have a complete know-how of their working methodology and  recent accomplishments. All in all an interesting concept based venture which can revolutionize the educational set up.Keep buzzing report bee!

( Image courtesy link)

Manual of IPO practice and procedure published

The much awaited new manual Of Indian Patent Office Practice and Procedure has finally been published. It is available in both html and pdf formats.You can access it from here.With 21 main chapters , sub- contents and annexures stating the forms and fee for patent applications, it gives a complete structure of standard patent procedures at the IPO.

(Image by Katia Grimmer-Laversanne)

The world's greatest investor lands in India

You must be wondering who am I talking about isn't. I generally cover IP related articles and issues but this time let me add a new flavor to the conversation. The king of Investment Warren Buffet and tech giant Bill Gates visited Indian territory last week. Both happened to be promoting a great cause of philanthropy  and the art of giving, ironically, a few indian billionaires turned up for the cause, but that doesn't diminish the spirit of this great personality. Warren Buffet is not just a name but a brand in himself. I am so amazed  by the strength and perseverance of this great personality.I was particularly interested in watching the interaction of Mr Buffet and the business school students. The session was great as expected but what made this session even more interesting to watch was certainly the wit and wisdom of Mr Buffet. One can never be tired listening to him, because this man comes with an exquisite sense of humor and at the same time, an astute business observation. The best part of the various sessions he addressed in India, was the fact that he kept mentioning the importance of giving in life. He gave simple,humorous yet impressive examples pertaining to investments, one of his famous being "If I had an IQ of 160, I'd sell 20 points". He also focused on the fact that India is the logical destination, from investment point of view.Well I can go on writing and writing  about him, but the fact is India witnessed a great week with such a legend who shared his views on business, investment and above all the pledge for philanthropy.

(Image courtesy link)

Google to translate EU patents

Google has come up with an agreement with Munich based European patent authorities this Thursday,aiding in translating about 50 million patents.Well last year in November 2010, Google announced to take this project.Google is expected  to provide translations in 28 European languages. The entire process is estimated to be accomplished by 2014. Google Inc. will only provide the translations without altering the legal aspects associated with the patent documents.Along with the European languages, Google is also working towards providing translations in Russian,Chinese, Korean and Japanese. 

As the European continent enjoys plethora of  official languages, it becomes extremely important to provide a substantial linguistic communication method like translation. It will surely improve access to the patents and better understanding of the patent documents in one's own language. Google's online mechanized translation is expected to aid researchers ,inventors and applicants who will be benefitted with such a technology during filing of patents ,online search for patent documents,etc. All in all, a crisp and decent  move to ensure better regulation of Intellectual property.

( Image by Yaroslav B )

International Conference on Traditional Knowledge Utilization

On March 22, 2011, thirty five countries delegates arrived in New Delhi today for the International conference on utilization of "Traditional knowledge Digital library"; (TKDL) for the protection and conservation of traditional knowledge.The event was hosted by WIPO and CSIR,India (Counsil of Scientific and Industrial Research).The event is expected to deal with Intellectual property related issues in traditional knowledge. The conference was initiated by stating that TKDL is crucial for the conservation of Traditional knowledge in India as well as in combatting Biopiracy. Protection of Traditional knowledge has been immensely important in the ancient medicine systems like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani ,which could be exploited in the absense of a well constructed Traditional knowledge database. 

TKDL project has been worked out in about ten years and it hosts information like ancient medical treatment and important medicinal plants. TKDL contains a whopping 34 million pages in five international languages.It gives access to 0.22 million medicinal formulations.Well in the recent past,India witnessed success in revoking patents issued by USPTO and European Patent Office, which were particularly based on Indian traditional knowledge on Turmeric and Neem medicinal properties respectively. I can gladly say that India is riding high with creation of such a substantial Traditional Knowledge Database. Certainly,it will prove to be a milestone for future advancements. 

(Image taken from here)

Google bagged the top slot at the Global brand index 2011

Google made it to the top slot at the global 500 list of world's top brands. Google wins the slot by acquiring $44.3 billion brand value. The greater and widespread use of internet and google's continuous efforts to launch new technologies all over these years, has enabled it to hit the top slot. Microsoft bagged the second slot with a valuation of about $42.8 billion. It's surprisingly true that the US  technology based companies acquired 13 positions in the Top 20 slot at the global brand index, 2011. Coca cola loses its position in the top 10 list of the world's top brands. This year Coca cola's brand value comes to about $25 billion, which recorded a sharp drop of $10 billion from the last year 2010, when the brand was estimated about $35 billion. 

Amongst the international phone brands, Apple registered itself in the top 10 list with a brand value of about $29.5 billion whereas Nokia witnessed a steep fall with a valuation of about $9.9 billion this year. To conclude, it is very obvious that this year many brands witnessed a steep fall and on the other hand many brands strike back by acquiring greater markets and  revenues, all in all, an interesting valuation.

(Image by Svilen Milev)

Bid at ICAP Ocean Tomo live IP auction

Wanna bid at the leading IP auction then you are at the right place, ICAP Ocean Tomo is up with its spring IP auction scheduled on March 30-31, 2011, details could be found here. ICAP Ocean Tomo offers various IP asset management services like IP brokerage, live IP auctions and other applications like listed portfolio companies, available IP portfolios,etc. Investors can bid in the upcoming spring auction, by paying a standard registration fee and registering here . Schedule and venue can be accessed here.

The auction list for spring IP auction has technologies like, One click barcode technology by Neomedia ,Keyword based searching platform by Johan Nicolas and Kristin Gross, Improved dry eye medication by Aqueous pharma limited, to name a few. Great portfolio of technologies on the auction this time. It can be inferred that this spring season auction will have interesting results and business statistics. So bidders be there!

( Image by marija jure.)

Green technologies find quicker way to the US patent system

I just happened to read a very interesting piece of  article regarding solar technology space getting a quicker access to patent rights in the united states. Because of umpteen reasons, like applications thrust, backlog of  patent examination applications at the USPTO, the green technologies find it a grueling task to obtain an early patent. Although last year ,USPTO "green technology pilot program " made it easier for the green technology sector to expedite the patent process and thereby increased the prospects of more green technologies to be replicated into products after gaining patents. 

Fortunately this year beginning, USPTO launched "First stage" of the Three Track Examination System, where under Track 1, an applicant pay an additional fee to prioritize patent application examination (within 12 months from its filing date). Certainly, this is highly welcomed by the pool of applicants (like solar industries), who seek to obtain early examination of  patent applications for expediting licensing, selling, and other monetary aspects of their products. Surely, such measures and policies by USPTO , will award us with "Environment friendly" future, with more green technologies hitting the global  markets. Hence, the future is going GREEN!

 ( Image by Ryan Tamayo)

Whopping 37K patent applications at indian patent office

Well its a great figure to begin with! Indian Patent Office witnessed a whopping 37,000 patent applications this fiscal year. According to P.H.Kurian (Controller General of Patent Design and Trademark): "This year we expect to get 37,000 patent, 1.7 lakh trade mark and some 6,500 industrial design applications which is about 10-15 per cent increase over last year". With great success, comes greater responsibility, therefore the IPO is currently expected to increase work employees says Mr Kurian: ""We are in process of recruiting 257 officers for our offices and it will done in the next three months".

So, greater work force, whopping number of patent applications, seems like IPO is on the road to success, raising the moolah from Rs180 crore last year to Rs 250 crore this fiscal year. And not to forget, as I mentioned in my earlier post, the IPO is making e-filing of patent applications mandatory from now onwards. It will be worth watching how these "New" changes will reflect upon the patent application statistics in future.Till then sink in the success!

(Image by Billy Frank Alexander)

Another lawsuit for Google and Amazon

Google and Amazon have been sued recently by software development company MasterObjects, TechCrunch , was the first to report the infringement suit .It is noted that MasterObjects obtained  Patent (US patent no. 7,752,326), for "System and method for utilizing asynchronous client server communication objects" on July 6, 2010. Master Objects claimed infringement against Amazon for using "custom search suggestions" for its sale of products, saying that amazon has been exploiting its technology right from 2004 for its products sale ( that's the same year when MasterObjects filed their Patent Application for the technology). Later this week on friday MasterObjects Targeted Google also, for the same Patent infringement suit, against using the "Custom search suggestion" or "Instant search drop down feature" for their browsers. Well, google has been using the instant search feature, right after its launch in September last year.

Although the "google suggest" was launched in the year 2004, for suggestions relating to real time search queries. Anyways, my point is simple, the "instant search" or the "custom search suggestions" are being currently used by many online search providers. To name a few Bing search, ebay, Yahoo all uses the real time search suggestions. So, it is indeed surprising why MasterObject picked out, Amazon, ( which is primarily an online shopping portal)  to start the litigation spree , which followed  google later on , and who knows many more to add on the list , in the near future. 

 Surprisingly when I visited MasterObjects website, there is a panel called "Demo finder Quest Field" ( i guess similar to instant suggest ), and the introduction page says:  " Unlike similar "autosuggest" and "autocomplete" applications on popular websites (such as Amazon, YouTube, and iTunes), the patented QuestFields technology provides an out-of-the-box generic solution that works on any web page and connects to any content source." I guess it is well stated there, who will be the prospective targets! Anyways for the twist and turns in the case, we have to wait and see what MasterObjects has in store for the future.

(Image by link)

WIPO launches global brand database

WIPO has launched a new on line tool recently, for searches related to international trademarks, appellations of origin , armorial bearings, flags and other state emblem. This is named as the Global Brand Database which is  launched under WIPO Gold ( wipo gold,consist of collections of searchable IP data).The global brand database can aid in searching a number of global brands related information. 

The database search interface allows users to access three WIPO databases namely:  International Trademarks registered under Madrid system, Appellations of origin registered under the Lisbon system and other State emblems. One interesting added feature to the database is the search aided with fuzzy and phonetic terms,which makes it even more interesting as an online database. Do check it out!

(Image by Murali CM )

e-Filing made mandatory at the Indian patent office

The Central Government of India has made e-filing of the patent applications mandatory (by suitably amending the Patent rules) in order to make the patent filing system lucid, efficient and accurate. It is a decent reform, I must say. But for those who find difficulties and perplexities on e- filing system , the government has set up assistance at all major patent offices across the country. You can access the notification here.

(Image by Nicole N)

Have a cup of coffee

Well its all about coffee wars nowadays. Recent addition been the war between Nespresso Vs Denner (Denner is a supermarket chain in Switzerland). Nestle's Nespresso was the ruler in the capsule coffee market until Denner's coffee capsules hit the market in december last year. Nestle appealed for the primary injunction against Denner's coffee capsules on Jan 11 against the sale, Advertising and production, alleging Denner's capsules as a threat to their Intellectual Property. A final blow came when on friday, 4 March 2011, the Swiss court exempted Denner saying that its coffee capsules did not infringe Nestle patents, nor they are similar to Nespresso. Denner is geared up to resume its coffee capsule production. Although Nestle spokesperson defends, saying that they will continue to appeal and will take legal actions for protecting their intellectual property in future.

 Well its simple and clear, Nestle wants to stay as the ruler in the coffee market. Nespresso is estimated to occupy 1.5% of the global coffee market,which is certainly impressive. It is clear that Nestle has greater expansion plans in the agenda and stiff competitors can impede its growth and market share. But certainly it doesn't deter other coffee capsule brands to launch themselves. The Ethical Coffee company (ECC) is another brand which is about to be launched in Swiss and Germany later this year and could pose a stiff competition in the global coffee market.The Ethical Coffee offers coffee capsules 25% cheaper than Nespresso. Earlier last year Nestle sued  ECC over patent infringement, well ECC has its own defense to that. To conclude, I must say, this episode will be interesting to watch ,as the competition is expected to grow stiffer in this sector. 

 (Image by Lea Csontos)

Patent Privateers: a new strategic approach

Well ever heard of this term " Patent Privateers". Seems interesting isn't. You must be wondering which is this new strategy on the block. Here is the answer, Patent Privateering is another name for outsourcing your Patent litigation in a secretive manner.Let me elaborate it before it becomes a scrabble game for you. Patent Privateering  is another strategic IP issue and its not that this is a recent development, it's been in existence for almost a decade and probably growing by now. Patent Privateering is simply contacting a firm or licensing organization and offering them finances and monetary aids( like attorney's fee, litigation finances, target's countersuits etc) to invest in patent litigation. I came up discovering a very interesting article on "Patent Privateers" by Tom Ewing (which can be accessed here). Ofcourse this article has enlightened me regarding Patent Privateering (worth reading).

To make it simple, there are two entities here, Sponsor and the Privateer. Sponsor is always in the stealth mode here (working behind the scene), never exposed. Sponsor's basic aim is to provide you ( the privateer) with the monetary aid and target his competitors for patent infringements. A privateer, objective is simple, he is aided  and monetarily insured by the sponsor. Privateer's main objective is to gain money out of the litigation suits, on the other hand, a sponsor's aim is not the immediate monetary gain but he owns farsighted policies leading to financial gains, brought by privateer's litigation.

  Meanwhile, there are many ways and tactics, by which sponsors operate, one of them is by selling their own IP rights to the third party and thereby causing the third parties to cast litigation suits against the competitors. But this method doesn't give much secrecy to the sponsor. Other methods include, creating Limited liability companies ( by the sponsors) to cover privateer's litigation costs and this method gives much secrecy to the sponsor (good for him!). Well many methods and many tactics, but the crux of the argument is, Patent Privateering has its own flaws and gains, its up to us how we look at it. But one thing I can say surely it is another potent IP strategy on the block!

(Image Courtesy  Link)

Microsoft and Google join hands against patent troll

Well isn't it interesting to see the tech giants Google and Microsoft join hands, who are almost ready to file allegations, constant altercations, litigating each other over issues like search results copyrights etc. Yes, its true as Google and Microsoft poses as co plaintiff's against GeoTag Inc., which sued over 300 firms in the recent past. This whopping data gives GeoTag Inc., acting as a patent troll suing an ample number of entities last year. 

Considering the future prospects and saving Google and  Microsoft's Bing maps from future allegations and controversies, both the tech giants filed recent lawsuit on March Ist 2011, invalidating the geo tag's patent (US Patent No. 5,930,474), on the context of existence of prior art during the filing of above mentioned patent. This could probably exempt some burden from the clients of Google and Microsoft who were sued by GeoTag Inc. recently from using their mapping services for the location of stores.Well what happens next will be an interesting issue but I shouldn't forget to mention that last September Google was similarly sued by Skyhook Wireless over location battle. The near future will reflect the recent developments in this case which will be worth watching.

( Image by Maxime Perron Caissy)

Dow Chemical enters into engineered corn Patent

Dow Agro Sciences stepped up by gaining publication of its international patent application at WIPO for Genetically engineered commercial herbicide tolerant Corn. Dow claims that the engineered Corn is resistant to Dow's 2,4- D, herbicides and Glyphosate. The invention includes 2,4-D tolerant corn plants containing the novel transformation event in corn plants and methods of using the corn plants and 2,4-D herbicide to control glyphosate resistant weeds.You can Access the published patent application at WIPO  here.

Currently in the global market Monsanto's roundup herbicides are primarily available, and the genetically modified crops are resistant to these herbicides. This gives an added advantage to the farmers to eradicate weeds by herbicide sprays and posing no harm to the genetically engineered crops. Dow's entry of the "Super weed" resistant bioengineered Corn, can open vast global market for the Dow Agro Sciences. Dow expects to target the markets by 2013 crop year with other crops to follow. This entire episode will certainly aid in advance modern farming. For more info on the Enlist Weed Control System, visit EnlistWeedControl.com. 

(Image by Zeeshan Qureshi)

GI tag for Phulkari work

"Phulkari", Traditional embroidery art from the state of Punjab, is a recent addition to the geographical indication of goods (GI Certificate). Phulkari's and Baghs are worn by women during wedding seasons all over Punjab. It  was considered to be purely a domestic craftsmanship, woven and used by the members of the same family and friends during family weddings and occasions. Since the art became so popular in the Indian Crafts market, Phulkari now hold a good market share with crafts savvy people as buyers.

The legal battle is won after five years of hard labor, with the legal case filed by PIC, (Patent Information Center), Punjab State Council For Science and Technology in the year 2005. As the art is a widespread business in the states of Rajasthan and Haryana, the traders now have to get them registered mandatory for the business and trade related transactions.

(Image courtesy link)