Google just released a beta version of Google Scholar (scholar.google.com) which allows for free legal research (full text) of legal opinions in both state and federal courts. My initial usage of this legal research tool is very positive – the typical fast and good searches you would expect from Google.
Month: November 2009
Ford Ordered to Pay $55.7 Million to Inventor (Krippelz v. Ford Motor Co.)
Krippelz v. Ford Motor Company, 2009 WL 3852466 (N.D.IL).
On November 18, 2009, Ford Motor was ordered to pay $55.7 million to an inventor (Jake Krippelz). Back in December 2008, a Federal jury awarded the inventor $23 million in a patent infringement lawsuit against Ford Motor. The inventor’s patent covered an automotive lighting system used in exterior rear view mirrors and was issued in 1991 (U.S. Patent No. 5,017,903).
After a 10 year lawsuit, Ford Motor was found to have willfully infringed the ‘903 patent and the Court awarded double-damages to the inventor for the willfully infringing sales (an additional $21 Million for the inventor).
In the end, the inventor was awarded $55,703,357 ($23,000,000 in damages, $21,017,400 in enhanced damages for willful infringement and $11,685,957 in prejudgment interest). The Court also granted the inventor his costs for the litigation which will be determined later.
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Google Books Settlement Receives Preliminary Approval
A New York judge has granted preliminary approval to a revised settlement agreement between Google Inc., the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers. The revised agreement allows Google to distribute millions of copies of digital books online but narrows the number of books allowed. Members of the public have until January 28 to file objections. See the Wall Street Journal article: Third Time a Charm for Google Books Hearing?
How to Patent an Invention
It is a slow patent news week. However, we have posted a new web page devoted to teaching inventors how to patent an invention. We hope you find the patent information valuable in teaching you how to patent your invention!
Appeal of Tafas v. Kappos Dismissed
On November 13th, an en banc Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted the joint motion of all parties to dismiss the appeal of Tafas v. Kappos (the “continuation and claims rules” case). Hence, the continuation and claims restrictions rules previously instituted by the USPTO are now officially gone. The Federal Circuit refused to vacate the district court’s grant of summary judgment.
See the Tafas v. Kappos Dismissal.
USPTO Director’s New Blog
USPTO Director David Kappos has a new blog which will provide valuable information to inventors and businesses. You can view the Director’s blog at http://www.uspto.gov/blog/
PAIR Master (Beta) Released
PAIR Master is a software product developed by Neustel Software, Inc. to provide for simple downloading, viewing and management of USPTO Private PAIR documents listed in a Private PAIR Correspondence Notification e-mail from the USPTO. You can download the free beta release at www.PAIR-Master.com (the beta version automatically expires January 1, 2010).
InventLaw.com - Patent and Invention Information 