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Nintendo stole the DS?
Thanks to its innovative design and wealth of fantastic games, the Nintendo DS has scrambled to the top of the handheld gaming war, making the hardware wizards at Nintendo the darlings of the games industry.
But what if they don't hold the patent on the touchy tech?
As reported by video game blog Gamepolitics, John R. Martin has filed a complaint alleging that he owns the patent on the system's lauded touch screen. While the patent was updated in August of 2005 -- a full six months after Nintendo launched the DS -- it was originally filed a decade earlier in 1995.
The patent seems to cover the key input ingredient of Nintendo's popular handheld, citing "an improved method of operating a touch screen on a CRT or ICD computer screen [that] uses finger release as input registering" in "an electronic game device system [which] is switchable between an amusement mode and a gaming or gambling mode and is useful for vehicles such as airplanes or boats..."Sounds a little like the DS to us, minus the gambling bit.
Nintendo, however, doesn't see the connection -- the company has responded by requesting that the entire suit be summarily dismissed.
This isn't Nintendo's first scrape with patent infringement. Earlier this year the company coughed up $21 million to tech company Anascape over several Nintendo game controllers, including their famous Wavebird, widely considered the first legitimate wireless game controller. Thanks to its innovative design and wealth of fantastic games, the Nintendo DS has scrambled to the top of the handheld gaming war, ma... more -
Alternative fuel - Salt water
I saw a report a few years ago on my local TV news about John Kanzius, a former radio executive, who had discovered that radio frequency will make salt water burn.
I was so fascinated by this idea. I wished I had a few billion dollars to buy his patent and turn his discovery into planet saving technology.
Now, on Sunday, I saw 60 Minutes did a story on John Kanzius and his breakthroughs on cancer research. 60 Minutes did not mention the salt water power solution Kanzius discovered. I wonder why.
Does anyone know if someone bought the technology from Kanzius? I saw a report a few years ago on my local TV news about John Kanzius, a former radio executive, who had discovered that radio frequen... more -
Kill Your T.V. - WalKnDude - www.planetnetopia.com
Kill Your T.V. - WalKnDude - www.planetnetopia.com
TURN IT OFF!
NOW!
(lies, all lies, your lieing, your still lieing, STOP the lieing, STOP THE WAR!)
WalKnDude
*nofear* Kill Your T.V. - WalKnDude - www.planetnetopia.com TURN IT OFF! NOW! ... more -
Current's CTO awarded Patent #7315946
ok - this is a little self aggrandizing but i was just awarded a patent for "Out-of-band tokens for rights access". Yeah for me - I am now the proud inventor of another DRM patent - a very crowded field but this patent and about 5 others i have pending should lead to a nice little portfolio........
I am really writing this because this is a RANT.....
This patent was submitted in 2003.... it has taken 5 years to get this awarded. Technolgy changed in 5 years - if it takes this long to know whether you have something unique enough to bet a company on it you are sunk........
so what do you do - you start building a product or technology with a huge risk... the risk that you will be sued or the risk of other copying your good idea.
this huge delay in granting patents has caused many technologies to not see light of day
Is there a way to change this? Are the politicians even concerned? Are patents still a valuable protection?
i would love to hear your ideas..... ok - this is a little self aggrandizing but i was just awarded a patent for "Out-of-band tokens for rights access". Yeah f... more -
You Bought It, You Own It: Quanta v. LG Electronics
Earlier this week, EFF filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Quanta v. LG Electronics, a case that asks whether patent owners can impose restrictions on what you can do with a product after you buy it. The brief, filed on behalf of EFF, Consumers Union, and Public Knowledge, makes a simple point: when a consumer buys a patented product from an authorized seller, the patent owner is not entitled to use patent law to restrict the purchaser's subsequent ability to use, repair, or resell the product.
In other words, you bought it, you own it. Earlier this week, EFF filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Quanta v. LG Electronics, a case that asks whether patent ... more -
Man Files Patent For Taser-Proof Clothing
The picture above is a diagram from an Arizona man's US Patent application showing his taser-proof clothing. Or if you want to get technical it's the patent for an "energy weapon protection device". It's basically conductive and non-conductive material in layers that prevent an electric charge from ever reaching the body -- because yelling "Don't tase me, bro!" just doesn't work. This stuff wouldn't be such a bad idea if you get tased on a regular basis, and if you had pants and a mask made out of the same material. While a jacket is a good start, you don't want to be zapped in the face and/or testicles because the coppers find out you're wearing a tase-proof jacket. The picture above is a diagram from an Arizona man's US Patent application showing his taser-proof clothing. Or if you want to ge... more
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