HRFM Today

Industry Focus: Cleantech: Model E too close to Model T?

Sure doesn't look like a Tesla could be confused for Ford's classic working man's car. Actually Tesla's Roadster is shown since the Model E - if that is what it is finally called - isn't in production yet.  That hasn't stopped the trademark for its upcoming vehicle from being the subject of controversy however ...  

As previously reported, Tesla seems to have a problem picking names that aren't already used by others or aren't similar to other marks used a long time ago (talking about you, Model T).  Tesla is similar to Apple in this regard which unveiled its iPhone a few years back without having clear title to the mark over Cisco, its owner at the time.

 

Foreign Patent Applicants Beware!

Many changes have come to the patent system recently, particularly since September 2012 and even more so since March of this year. One of the most overlooked aspects relates to the claiming of priority to a foreign patent application.

For patent applications filed prior to March 16, 2013, an applicant pretty much has the ability to file a priority document up until the issue date of his patent application.  

Industry Focus: Cleantech: Turning NY Electric Utilities into Traffic Cops?

The New York Public Service Commission envisions a new type of Electric Utility model where hundreds of producers sell into the electric grid and the utilities direct the electrons where they need to go. Such a system is designed to promote distributed and clean sources of electricity, such as wind and solar.  There would also be incentives for energy storage which would help stabilize the electric grid when the sun isn't shining and the wind is not blowing.  (related see here for opening of NY BEST battery test center).  Interestingly, New York is one of only three states (the others being Texas and California) which is able to experiment with the electric grid on its own, as it operates an electric grid which coincides with its borders and thus does not have to seeks its neighbors' permission. 

By Victor Cardona

IP 101: Patent Inventor Versus Owner: StoneEagle Services v. Gillman

What does it mean to be an inventor versus an owner of a patent?  And what does this do to somebody who is instead the author of the text of a patent application?  The inventorship, and initial ownership, of a patent application is governed by the Federal Patent law while once a patent or patent application is transferred, such transfers and subsequent ownership are generally governed by the laws of the individual states, as indicated in this article by Mark Kittel.

Industry Focus: Medical Products: Product Development and IP Due Diligence

Increasingly, innovation can occur both inside and outside a corporate Research and Development Department. Whether innovation comes from a doctor working the trenches who has found a better way to shape a surgical device or an engineer who has found a better way to manufacture such device, it is necessary to determine whether or not the new device can be sold without infringing another's Intellectual Property - whether it be a patent, copyright or trade dress.  It is also important to determine whether it is possible to pursue protection for such intellectual property to discourage competitors from blatantly copying it.  John Boger goes through the steps in protecting new inventions and other innovations and during the product development process in this article.

By Victor Cardona

Industry Focus: Cleantech: NY Battery and Energy Storage Test Center Opens

The BEST Testing and Commercialization Center was inaugurated on April 30, 2014 in Rochester New York. The Center Is a collaboration of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY BEST) with DNV GL.  The facility is focused on the testing of battery and other energy storage technologies and is located at the former Kodak Manufacturing campus.  A ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Lt. Governor Duffy and assorted officials.