Ingrope IP Solutions

30/03/2023

Name a difference between the iPhone and the iPad! Okay, I mean, beyond the obvious size difference. Yep, iPhones, traditionally, feature glass both on the front and back, while iPads have stuck to aluminum casings for quite some time. Not that this has prevented it from being one of the Best Tablets on the market.

As such, is there any wonder that Apple is looking to bring the aesthetic of the iPad closer to their main product? Rumors about iPads with glass backs have been going around for a while now, but now we have reason to believe that this is more than just a rumor.

Apple submitted a patent, which describes an iPad that is basically enclosed in glass. While there are benefits and drawbacks to such a concept, before we go over them, you should remember that patents don’t always mean that manufacturing is imminent.

The patent itself goes over the process that may eventually be required when putting such an iPad together, in painstaking detail. It involves numerous tricks in order to achieve the desired outcome, namely: a casing entirely made from glass, but one must ask: why?

Let’s go over the benefits. For starters, wireless connectivity of most types would see a boost if the aluminum chassis would be replaced by a glass one. Would it be to a noticeable extent? Probably not. Also, in theory, glass is cheaper than aluminum, so there is also that.

Then we have the benefit of a more unified design and this is the part where we’d like to remind you that a glass casing does not mean that the iPad would be transparent, as it is more likely that it won’t.

That being said, however, there is a glaring downside to the entire concept: it is glass. This is one of the most breakable materials and given that the iPad is larger — and thus, heavier — than an iPhone, it is way more likely to not survive a fall. A metal chassis would at least not shatter upon impact, but one made from glass? Difficult to trust.

But all of these are theoretical points of view that depend on different use-case scenarios. While this patent may mean that Apple is at least curious about the idea, it is more likely that the company is looking to reserve the idea as a form of insurance over the competition.

https://www.phonearena.com/news/apple-ipad-enclosed-in-glass-patent_id146539

phone Arena - MAR 29, 2023

Apple is looking into ways to translate their iPhone aesthetic into their iPad line of devices too, which means that we may get an iPad enclosed in glass in the future.

29/03/2023

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Adidas told the office in a Monday filing that Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation Inc's yellow-stripe design would create confusion with its own famous three-stripe mark.

Sneaker giant Adidas AG has asked the US Trademark Office to reject an application for a Black Lives Matter trademark featuring three parallel stripes, arguing it could mislead the public.

Adidas told the office in a Monday filing that Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation Inc's yellow-stripe design would create confusion with its own famous three-stripe mark. It sought to block the group's application to use the design on goods that the German sportswear maker also sells, such as shirts, hats and bags.

Adidas declined to comment on the filing. Representatives for the Black Lives Matter group did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Adidas said in the filing that it has been using its logo since as early as 1952 and that it has acquired "international fame and tremendous public recognition."

Adidas has filed over 90 lawsuits and signed more than 200 settlement agreements related to the three-stripe trademark since 2008, according to court documents from a lawsuit the company brought against designer Thom Browne's fashion house.

https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/adidas-says-black-lives-matter-design-violates-three-stripe-trademark-2352759-2023-03-29

INDIA TODAY - Mar 29, 2023

Adidas told the office in a Monday filing that Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation Inc's yellow-stripe design would create confusion with its own famous three-stripe mark.

28/03/2023

Aston Martin is expected to launch the recast DB11 late this year, redesigned inside and re-engineered under the skin to be what CEO Lawrence Stroll says it "should have always felt like." The automaker boss also having said the transformation will be enough to consider the coupe a new car, it's no surprise to hear CarBuzz found a trademark application for the name DB12. An automaker spokesperson told Auto Express, "Aston Martin regularly files international trademark applications to protect names for possible future use." If the DB12 name ends up as retail fact, 2023 will welcome the first even-numbered DB-series production car since the end of the DB6 in 1971.

The DB11 has been on the market for six years, debuting to a burst of appreciation for replacing the 14-year-old DB9 with new design language and the afterglow of the one-off DB10 from "Spectre." Since then, despite Aston's solid order books, the middle-child DB11 perhaps wanted for attention through the turmoil in the executive suites and model reorganization.

Stroll's assessment of the coming coupe having "no similarity to the current cars" applies least of all to the exterior. Prototypes spied in Sweden and at the Nürburgring show standard modifications, tweaks to the grille and lower intake in front, redrawn side strakes, and what's likely to be a new treatment for the taillights. The biggest and most obvious change might be the hood, the current clamshell supplanted by a traditional panel enclosed by nosecone and fenders. We anticipate both the Mercedes-sourced 4.0-liter V8 with 503 horsepower and the brand's 5.2-liter V12 making 630 hp to stay in circulation, both benefiting from the obligatory power bump. With electrified Aston Martins due around the same timeframe as the launch of the DB12, it's possible the V8 version of the coupe comes to market with a 48-volt hybrid system.

The jewel of the interior remodel might be the new infotainment system. Still built on Mercedes technology, a reskin will mean English superluxury polish complete with "a proper English accent" and possibly upgraded tech such as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/03/27/aston-martin-db12-trademark-filing-revamped-db11/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGzIh264rlmILilsjg2BVxM75Krs37iTq-BJHkvGy_ZjxQXdJlLa5RKiyUAqnL1UVWkOCfsVTDN_ffSA5vziWEYYGQWlazk08oVHIR6RshMmSIe8Nv6SrvScHOQb8hLRDmY__WlvDFvioJ8_dm76VXZGJFsWzuYIicrUu2YxW3Ea

auto blog - Mar 27th 2023

Aston Martin files to trademark the name DB12 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It could be applied to the refreshed DB11 due later this year.

27/03/2023

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If there is a JDM car that has undisputedly acquired legendary status, it is the Nissan Skyline GT-R. The Japanese sports car has reigned for five generations as a true performance machine. The Skyline fanbase consists of collectors, drag racers, and Fast and Furious cinephiles.

Nissan has been pumping out their crowd-favorite sports cars under the name ‘Skyline’ since 1969. Ford did the same with their classic cars a decade earlier, but with an ‘r’ at the end of the name. Ford's Skyliner retired from production in 1959, but the US automaker may attempt a callback, as signaled by their 2021 trademark application. But this time, there is no ‘r’. Ford attempted to claim Nissan’s Skyline name.

Ford Picked Up Interest In The ‘Skyline’ Trademark

A stroll through trademark applications in 2021 reveals Ford’s sneaky interest to acquire the trademark for Nissan's renowned "Skyline". On the surface, Ford has everything in its favor, owing to Nissan's lack of use of the name for over 19 years. The last Nissan Skyline GT-R was released in 2002, and Nissan hasn’t made any noise about Skylines since. The United States Patent and Trademark Office notes that trademarks expire every ten years, which Nissan has already exceeded.

It isn’t outlandish to imagine a brand-new American Skyline, since Ford's application to register "Skyline" is for use with "motor land vehicles, namely SUVs, trucks, and automobiles" in the US. But Gearheads could only speculate, since Ford was as quiet as a mouse.

A not-too-far-fetched possibility is that Ford considered a premium model or sub-brand, as it previously showcased the Ford Transit Skyliner concept in 2014. The luxury van featured an opulent interior worthy of the phrase "private jet on wheels". But a futuristically luxurious van isn't all that bears the Skyliner name. Ford previously slapped the trademark on Galaxie, Fairlane, and Cresline models.

One may speculate, but the trademark application does not necessarily mean that a Ford vehicle will carry the Skyline name. It is equal parts likely to appear on something far less exciting. We’re talking about something that doesn’t deserve Nissan Skyline’s legacy, such as an insignificant piece of next-gen technology.

https://www.hotcars.com/ford-failed-to-obtain-skyline-trademark-from-nissan/

Hot cars - March 26, 2023

Ford applied for the iconic Skyline trademark in 2021. Nissan said 'not so fast' as it rushed to stop the American automaker.

24/03/2023

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The DB12 is expected to be revealed this year as a refreshed version of the DB11, which has been on sale since 2017.
We expected the DB12 to retain the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, but it may gain a 48-volt hybrid system.
Aston Martin's aging sports-car lineup is due for a major overhaul, and a new trademark filing—first reported by CarBuzz—suggests that this update will usher in a new nameplate. The British automaker has filed for the name DB12 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which will presumably be applied to a heavily refreshed version of the DB11 expected to make its debut later this year.

Last year, Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll said that all of the company's sports cars—the Vantage, DB11, and DBS—would be overhauled in 2023. Stroll revealed that the changes would be so drastic that they would essentially be "all-new cars," and the new trademark seems to confirm that. This would be the first time since the DB6 went out of production in 1970 that one of Aston Martin's DB series of sports cars would bear an even-numbered badge.

Along with revised styling, the update is expected to bring a more modern infotainment system that will scrap the touchpad setup and be better differentiated from the Mercedes-Benz system on which it is based. The DB12 will likely retain the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8—also borrowed from Mercedes—although it could gain a 48-volt hybrid setup like in the Mercedes-AMG GLS63. It's unclear if the V-12 will live on in the DB12. More details should arrive later this year.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43400060/aston-martin-db11-facelift-db12-trademark/

CAR AND DRIVER - MAR 23, 2023

The updated sports car should get a new infotainment system, sharper styling, and upgraded engines along with the rumored name change.

22/03/2023

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22/03/2023

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BlackBerry Ltd (BB.TO) said on Tuesday it would sell patents, primarily related to its mobile devices, for up to $900 million after the Canadian software company scrapped an earlier deal with Catapult IP Innovations Inc.

Malikie Innovations Ltd will buy the patents and pay $170 million in cash on deal closing, and another $30 million three years later. BlackBerry will also get annual cash royalties from the profits generated from the patents, relating to its messaging and wireless networking among others.

Malikie is a newly formed unit of intellectual property monetization firm Key Patent Innovations Ltd.

Blackberry said last year it was exploring other options to sell its patents as the planned deal with Catapult IP Innovations Inc was taking longer than usual to close, leading to a loss in exclusivity.

"Catapult was unable to secure financing that would have enabled it to complete the previously announced transaction on amended terms that were acceptable to BlackBerry," the Canadian company said in a statement.

Once known for its phones with a tiny QWERTY physical keyboard and the BBM instant messaging service, BlackBerry's core businesses today are cybersecurity and software used by automakers.

Last year, the company pulled the plug on service for its smartphones, a culmination of years of market share loss to Apple's iPhones and rival Android devices.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/blackberry-signs-up-900-mln-patent-deal-after-sale-catapult-collapses-2023-03-21/

REUTERS - March 21, 2023

BlackBerry Ltd said on Tuesday it would sell patents, primarily related to its mobile devices, for up to $900 million after the Canadian software company scrapped an earlier deal with Catapult IP Innovations Inc.

21/03/2023

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Samsung Electronics convinced a Los Angeles federal jury on Friday that its Galaxy S10 phones do not violate the trademark rights of a talent-management agency that also uses the "S10" name.

The jury found that S10 Entertainment & Media LLC had not shown that Samsung's popular smartphones were likely to cause consumer confusion and drown out its brand in the marketplace, according to a court document published Monday (Mar 20).

Representatives for Samsung and S10 did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.

S10 Entertainment, which manages the pop singers Anitta and Normani, said it began using the S10 name in 2017. Samsung began selling its Galaxy S-series smartphones in 2010 and started offering S10 phones in 2019.

S10 argued Samsung's advertising would confuse customers into thinking the brands were affiliated, citing Samsung's use of a similar font and colour scheme as the talent agency for its S10 logo and its promotional partnerships with musicians.

The lawsuit said S10 had received social-media messages from people trying to buy Samsung's phones. It also said Samsung was aware of the company before adopting the branding, and that Samsung and S10 had discussed a potential deal for Anitta to endorse the tech giant.

"As a result of confusion between Samsung's S10 phone line and S10 Entertainment's S10 mark, the value and goodwill of S10 Entertainment's Instagram and social media footprint has been severely diminished," the lawsuit said.

Samsung told the court that its use of "S10" would not cause confusion, that it had priority to the S10 name based on its earlier Galaxy S "family" of marks, and that S10 waited too long to bring the lawsuit.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/samsung-wins-jury-trial-s10-trademark-lawsuit-3361636

Channel News Asia - 21 Mar 2023

Samsung Electronics convinced a Los Angeles federal jury on Friday that its Galaxy S10 phones do not violate the trademark rights of a talent-management agency that also uses the "S10" name. The jury found that S10 Entertainment & Media LLC had not shown that Samsung's popular smartphones were likel...

20/03/2023

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A new Sony Interactive Entertainment patent filing spotted by Segment Next indicates the company is working to implement a stronger framework for NFTs in its video games and consoles. While the popularity of NFTs has waned significantly over the last few years, sped along by the collapse of the cryptocurrency market, it appears Sony isn’t quite done with the blockchain-based technology.

The company’s newly-published patent is titled ‘NFT Framework For Transferring And Using Digital Assets Between Game Platforms’ and explores the potential for NFTs to be played with and transferred between video games, with players reaping the benefits in multiple games.

‘Current systems are technologically inadequate for the owner to use the asset across different games and platforms,’ the patent says. ‘Accordingly, as further recognised herein, the functionality of the game may be enhanced by enabling gamers and/or spectators to exclusively use the asset and possibly transfer its rights to others via NFT.’

While the technology is not yet available, Sony has proposed a system by which NFTs could be used to provide specific benefits to select players.

For example, it suggests a player who is the ‘first’ to beat a particular boss in a game could be rewarded with a special NFT that grants a unique weapon, or another reward. Given complications like the fact that games press and influencers often receive early access to titles, it’s unclear how this would be fair – but Sony appears enthusiastic about this application regardless.

The patent further enthuses about the potential for ‘a certain level, score, and/or points accumulation in a particular video game‘ to be minted, with this progress then able to be transferred or sold, allowing players to advance their own gameplay via NFT.

‘The NFT may then be transferred to someone else, who may then resume the game where the transferor left off according to the NFT so that the transferee begins gameplay at the same level, with the same score, and/or with the same points accumulation as the transferor,’ the patent says.

The intrinsic benefit of having another player complete these NFT-charged gameplay segments is not dwelt upon – nor is the precise reason why people play games: for fun. Transferring your gameplay, or skipping parts of games to gain some intangible digital reward, feels at odds with the joy of gaming.

At this stage, it’s unclear how these NFTs will be implemented in a meaningful way. The bubble of enthusiasm for this technology has already burst, and the benefits outlined here aren’t tantalising enough to make a case for the potential loss of goodwill that may spawn from their inclusion. For now, we’ll have to wait to see what Sony has in store for NFTs.

https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/sony-nft-patent-transfer-sales-use-2609895/

Games Hub - 20 Mar 2023

Sony has filed a major patent for NFTs in games and systems which covers the transfer, trade, and sale of digital items.

17/03/2023

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Hamilton area realtor Rob Golfi is off the hook, for now, after a lawsuit filed against him in 2022 by a Minnesota real estate mogul was dismissed by a U.S. federal judge.

The expelled claim was brought forth by Kris Lindahl Real Estate (KLRE) last August and suggested Golfi had stolen “intellectual property.”

Judge Jerry Blackwell dismissed the filing without prejudice, keeping the door open to Lindahl to re-file the case with alterations.

Lindahl was seeking litigation over trademark infringement and breach of contract.

The most “egregious” claim stemmed from a 2019 election campaign spoof advertisement from Lindahl in which he’s surrounded by American flags in an apparent cable news broadcast setting.

Following a patriotic-like address to the camera plugging a “campaign of convenience” guaranteeing offers on homes in 48 hours or less, Lindahl ends it with his arms in an outreached pose.

Golfi made a social media video in 2021 which also used an apparent cable news-like setting with a similar “campaign of convenience” also guaranteeing offers on homes in 48 hours or less.

Lindahl’s accusation is also connected to an online marketing seminar he says he hosted in May 2021 in which Golfi admitted he participated.

According to Lindahl’s filing, prior to the forum he had Golfi sign an agreement that prohibits “unauthorized use or distribution of the proprietary concepts, materials, and intellectual property” from the seminar.

Golfi told Global News in an interview he’s “not doing the happy dance” just yet with the prospect of a refiling.

“It was great news, but it’s also not the end yet,” Golfi said, he said of the dismissal. “I’m hoping he may not refile because it costs him just as much money as it does me.”

Golfi says his legal team told him that a trademark for the so-called “Lindahl’s pose” was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office just three weeks before he was named in a claim.

“His trademark was not done … two years ago, five years ago or anything like that, he filed a trademark and then he filed a lawsuit against me,” Golfi insists.

“So I don’t know what he’s trying to gain from it.”

Global News has reached out to Lathrop GPM LLP, who represents Lindahl Real Estate, on whether they will be refiling the claim but has yet to receive a response as of the publishing of this post.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9556578/trademark-infringement-claim-dismissed-hamilton-golfi/

Global News -March 16, 2023

A U.S. federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Minnesota-based realtor against Hamilton's Rob Golfi claiming improper use of a well-known trademark.

16/03/2023

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Ever browse around the trademark and patent applications put in by different car companies? No? Well if you did, you would've noticed that in 2021, Ford attempted to claim the "Skyline" name for use on motor vehicles, as Carbuzz reported at the time. The automaker used to sell a convertible called the "Skyliner" after all, so perhaps it was trying to make a callback to that name. In Japan, however, Nissan has sold several vehicles called the Skyline, some of which were transformed into well-known, high-performance GT-R models. This ruffled a few feathers.

There was a resulting trademark battle which, as of now, is still unresolved. Let's be clear: Just because an automaker trademarks a name doesn't mean it intends to produce a vehicle bearing that moniker. That being said, these designations—think "Mustang" or "Corvette"—obviously have a lot of value. For that reason, automakers protect them pretty ferociously.

Ford's 2021 Skyline trademark application was met with a response from Nissan. The Japanese car company already had the name protected in the United States for "light and sounds toys in the nature of miniature cars with LED lights" and "Computer game software in the field of automotive racing." After Ford's attempt to claim it for automobiles, Nissan applied to protect it in the context of "Model cars; minicars, namely, toy cars." The application was granted in August 2022. You may not think that would've done much good, but the Patent and Trademark Office rejected Ford's initial claim later that same year in September. The Blue Oval automaker abandoned its attempts to protect "Skyline" shortly after this.

Why Ford wanted the Skyline name is uncertain. What is clear is that Nissan applied to protect it stateside once again after Ford's attempt went kaput. Despite reporting that Nissan now has the name on-lock, that's not quite true. The Japanese automaker has only applied to protect the name as of a few days ago. Nothing has been formally granted.

What's the result of all this? It's tough to say right now. Automakers engaging in legal scrambling for a name they may or may not use is just one unusual facet of this industry. Similar to patents, they absolutely can indicate that something might go into production down the road. In the same breath, these claims may amount to nothing. The only real winner here is lawyers.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/how-ford-and-nissan-battled-over-the-skyline-trademark-and-why-its-not-over-yet

The Drive - MAR 15, 2023

The two automakers have been battling it out over the Skyline name. It's unclear why Ford wants it, but it is clear Nissan wants to protect it.

15/03/2023

Kawasaki applies for hydrogen motorcycle name trademark.

Kawasaki has filed for trademarks on a name and logo for its hydrogen motorcycle project, and has become involved in a hydrogen infrastructure project.

Kawasaki has announced confirmations of its commitment to hydrogen as a fuel for motorcycles, and has named its project centred around the element.

As we have seen with other manufacturers and their hydrogen ambitions – such as Honda, for example – Kawasaki’s own hydrogen plans concern infrastructure and production (or, extraction) of hydrogen as well as projects for its actual use.

Kawasaki’s hydrogen infrastructure plans involve the Green Innovation Fund Project, “Large-scale Hydrogen Supply Chain Establishment” (NEDO). Part of this involves a demonstration of the possibility of commercialising the supply chain of hydrogen, which is being worked on by the Japanese companies, Eneos, Japan Suiso Energy (JSE) and Iwatani.

The relevance to Kawasaki in this project comes in the form of the Kawasaki Coastal Area in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, which will be used as a “hydrogen receiving site” for hydrogen exported from Victoria, Australia.

To summarise the project, in addition to its demonstration of the commercialisation potential of liquefied hydrogen and a supply chain for it, it is looking to develop the technology required to do so, with the final aim being to establish an international supply chain of liquefied hydrogen.

In addition to its industrial projects, Kawasaki has also filed patents for naming of its hydrogen motorcycle project, as reported by BikeSocial.

The name the Akashi brand is wanting to give to its hydrogen motorcycle project is “HySE”, the trademark for which has been applied for by Kawasaki Motors in addition to a logo which features a water droplet shape and two circles, which are obviously supposed to be wheels.

Importantly, the trademark application, according to BikeSocial, specifies that the trademarks will apply to non-electric vehicles, meaning Kawasaki is pursuing hydrogen combustion, instead of hydrogen fuel cells.

Last year, Kawasaki revealed renders of a large-capacity motorcycle that would use hydrogen fuel, based on the current Kawasaki Ninja H2 motorcycle. It featured a kind of ‘rear fuel tank’ which housed canisters of hydrogen that would be swapped out for fresh ones when refuelling is required.

https://hydrogen-central.com/kawasaki-applies-hydrogen-motorcycle-name-trademark/

Hydrogen Central - March 13, 2023

Kawasaki applies for hydrogen motorcycle name trademark. Kawasaki has filed for trademarks on a name and logo for its hydrogen motorcycle