In 1881, Dr. Joseph Lawrence invented Listerine and it remains the #1 best selling mouthwash. Later that year, Dr. Lawrence sold the secret formulation to a pharmacist named Jordan Lambert. The contract drafted in this exchange required Lambert to pay Dr. Lawrence a royalty based on volumetric sales for as long as Listerine was sold.Continue reading “Contract Drafting: It’s All in the Details”
Author Archives: hjsumner
Engineer Posts Open-source DIY “Ventilator-ish” Device Instructions
With the recent increase in confirmed coronavirus cases many are concerned that ventilator supplies may run low. One man has come up with a way to create a ventilator-like apparatus by modifying a standard CPAP machine. This device is not FDA approved and does not appear to have been tested by any medical professionals; however,Continue reading “Engineer Posts Open-source DIY “Ventilator-ish” Device Instructions”
China Applies for Patent to Treat Coronavirus
The Wuhan Institute of Virology has recently filed a patent application for the drug remdesivir to treat coronavirus. The patent was filed jointly with the Military Medicine Institute of the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Military Science. The Chinese believe that remdesivir and chloroquine (an anti-malarial drug) are effective at combating the virus. Chloroquine isContinue reading “China Applies for Patent to Treat Coronavirus”
EU Says Inventors Must Be Human
The European Union (EU) recently rejected two patents applications where the invention was created by artificial intelligence (AI). These inventions were created by a “creativity machine” comprised of a system of multiple artificial neural networks. These networks generate new ideas, analyze their performance, and assess distinctions between existing inventions and the newly generated idea. TheContinue reading “EU Says Inventors Must Be Human”
Do the Scots own BURNS NIGHT?
The Scotch Whisky Association recently filed an opposition to the mark BURNS NIGHT filed by an Atlanta distiller of American malt whiskey. The Association claims that BURNS NIGHT is “highly evocative of Scotland when used on a whisky product,” and is likely to cause a consumer to believe that the spirit being purchased is aContinue reading “Do the Scots own BURNS NIGHT?”
New Materials Entering the Public Domain
A host of books, musical works, literary works and art created in 1924 have entered the public domain on January 1st and are now free to use. These materials include books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, plays by Eugene O’Neill and art from Georgia O’Keefe. CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE
What Constitutes a Counterfeit?
Rolex has recently filed suit against laCalifornienne for allegedly dealing in fake watches. LaCalifornienne has been adding non-Rolex sanctioned dials, crystals, and other accessories to pre-owned Rolex® watches and reselling them as genuine Rolex® watches. Rolex considers any watch that includes a non-Rolex part to be a counterfeit. Rolex filed a similar case against aContinue reading “What Constitutes a Counterfeit?”
Actor Who Died 64 Years Ago To Star in Upcoming Film
Actor James Dean died in 1955 at the age of 24 but that has not stopped him from appearing in the new action film “Finding Jack.” The film is set to feature Dean in a co-starring role, using computer images generated from old footage. While the producers and film makers appear to have legally acquiredContinue reading “Actor Who Died 64 Years Ago To Star in Upcoming Film”
Chinese National Working for Monsanto Indicted for Trade Secret Theft
A Monsanto employee was recently indicted for theft of trade secrets. The Chinese national, Haitao Xiang, allegedly resigned from his position, purchased a one way ticket to China and was arrested at the airport with Monsanto trade secrets in his possession. Xiang received his PhD in agricultural engineering within the United States, following the sameContinue reading “Chinese National Working for Monsanto Indicted for Trade Secret Theft”
Can the Owner of a Building Control Reproductions of its Likeness?
Canadian Parliament is considering whether building owners can control the reproduction of a famous building’s likeness. Author James Bow was set to release a new book featuring a cover-art collage which included an image of the CN Tower, a large radio antenna and tourist attraction located in Toronto. A representative from CN Tower requested theContinue reading “Can the Owner of a Building Control Reproductions of its Likeness?”