IP Savoir

#Microsoft #Wants #to #Patent #a #Fix #for #AI #Hallucinations Microsoft has filed a patent application for a technical method that could reduce or stop AI hallucinations or false responses. The proposed patent, dubbed "Interacting with a Language Model using External Knowledge and Feedback," was submitted to the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) last year but made public on Oct. 31. The method gives an AI model a "response-augmenting system" (RAS), or the ability to automatically pull more information based on a user's query and supposedly check the "usefulness" of its response. This means the RAS will be able to see if information is available from "external sources" online or in a dataset that answers a user's query and can deem a response not useful if the AI doesn't include that information in its answer. The RAS could get a chatbot to tell a user if it thinks an answer is lacking or questionable, and the user could give it feedback. The proposed fix doesn't require developers or firms to fine-tune their existing models, though. The USPTO website doesn't show a patent number for the application, suggesting it may still be under review. We reached out to Microsoft for comment, including on whether this patent is related to Microsoft's previously announced tool to reduce AI hallucinations: Azure AI Content Safety. https://lnkd.in/eNn_fAX5 PC Mag - November 6, 2024

#Japan #Patent #Office #mulls #revising #laws #to #cope #with #digital #tech, #AI  The Japan Patent Office is considering legal revisions to prevent intellectual property infringement stemming from the growth of digital technologies, including generative artificial intelligence and virtual spaces. The proliferation of AI-generated designs could interfere with the development of new products. According to the JPO, the current Patent Law and Design Law do not have any regulations to cope with the proliferation of materials produced or designed by AI. The revisions — which are expected next fiscal year or later —- would not allow businesses or individuals who do not plan to develop products to obtain patent or design rights if they misuse generative AI. The revised laws are expected to regulate any act that hampers the development of new products. One example could be making AI learn existing products without permission to create and then release a massive amount of designs for cars, home appliances and other goods, or chemical formulas for medicines. Such an act would take away the novelty of such designs and formulas. Under the current Design Law, design rights do not apply in virtual spaces, in principle, allowing brand-name accessories to be reproduced and sold without permission as “items” in the metaverse, a virtual online space. By revising the law, the JPO aims to prevent unlicensed items from being reproduced. The current Patent Law recognizes patent rights only within Japan but not overseas. Amid these circumstances, patent rights are not applied, in principle, to technologies that require terminal-server connections — such as search services and automated driving — if the server is located overseas. There have been court precedents, however, in which patent infringement was recognized over a service that was deemed to have been effectively developed in Japan. Therefore, a service with only its server located overseas may become subject to regulation after the law is revised. The JPO will hold an expert meeting Wednesday to begin discussions on revising the Patent Law. A similar panel meeting is also planned for the Design Law. https://lnkd.in/errNq9Mj Asia News Network - November 6, 2024

#Bombay #HC #grants #interim #relief #to #Skechers #in #trademark #infringement #case The Bombay High Court has granted ex parte ad interim relief to international footwear brand Sketchers in a case involving alleged trademark infringement. The court's ruling comes amid claims that certain defendants were distributing counterfeit goods bearing the 'SKECHERS' trademark and artistic designs, which could damage the brand's reputation and goodwill. The court emphasized that the defendants' actions constituted dishonest adoption of the plaintiffs' trademarks and artistic works. This ruling was issued in response to an interim application filed by Skechers, which sought immediate relief fearing that prior notice to the defendants would result in the disposal of counterfeit products. The plaintiffs in the case include Skechers USA, Inc. and its Indian distribution partner, which holds the trademark rights for 'SKECHERS'. The legal team, represented by Advocate Hiren Kamod, presented evidence from an investigation that uncovered imitation products being sold at the defendants' locations. Justice RI Chagla acknowledged the significant reputation and goodwill that Skechers has built over the years, stating that the plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm if the counterfeiting continued unchecked. The court noted that the order would not prevent the defendants from selling legitimate goods sourced from authorized distributors but would apply to all counterfeit items and materials bearing the plaintiffs' trademarks that were not approved by them. The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing to address the matter further. This case highlights ongoing challenges in protecting intellectual property rights in an era of increasing counterfeit goods and underscores the judiciary's role in safeguarding brand integrity. https://lnkd.in/gDdKAm_k STORY BOARD 18 - Nov 4, 2024

#U. #OF #MIAMI #WINS #TRADEMARK #CASE, #TABLES #FAME #ARGUMENT A federal district judge ruled last Thursday that Caneup LLP is barred from infringing on University of Miami’s trademarked “Canes” and “U”, but an interesting claim regarding Miami’s national recognition was dismissed as moot. U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez adopted the report and recommendation of U.S. Magistrate Judge Marty Fulgueira Elfenbein, who on Oct. 15 urged that Caneup be held liable for trademark infringement and several other claims. Elfenbein reasoned that Caneup, which failed to defend itself, was likely to cause consumer confusion over whether the university was associated with the company’s brand. Elfenbein stressed Miami’s longtime and extensive use of “Canes” and “U” since it underscored consumers’ likely familiarity with those marks. But Elfenbein declined to recommend a default judgment regarding Miami’s trademark dilution claim. Dilution refers to unauthorized use of another’s famous mark and weakening it as a result. Elfenbein reasoned that a successful dilution claim necessitates a “truly famous” mark, and listed Budweiser beer, Buick cars and Barbie dolls as examples. Although Elfenbein recognized that Miami athletics are well known to sports fans across the U.S. and might even enjoy “Barbie-level” fame in and around Miami, she concluded the program’s prominence fell short of truly national fame. To bolster her reasoning, Elfenbein cited a 2008 dilution case that featured the longhorn silhouette logo of University of Texas athletics. Despite sports fans’ familiarity with that well-known logo and despite the national prominence of UT athletics, a federal judge found the logo to lack the requisite “ubiquitous and well-known” celebrity “to stand toe-to-toe with Buick or Kodak.” After Elfenbein’s recommendation, Miami motioned to amend its complaint and withdraw the dilution claim. It did so, an Oct. 24 court filing stated, “in the interest of justice” and to bring the case “to a swift end.” The university added that it “respectfully disagrees” with Elfenbein regarding the famousness of its marks but explained that “rather than file objections to that recommendation” and prolong the litigation, it sought to withdraw the dilution claim. Martinez granted Miami’s request, meaning Miami’s dilution claim has been removed from the litigation. The national fame of Miami’s marks is thus punted, perhaps for another case on another day. Miami was represented by Christopher M. Yannuzzi, Eric D. Isicoff and other attorneys from Isicoff Ragatz. https://lnkd.in/ediWJRfK Sportico The Business of Sports - November 03, 2024

#First #Solar #warns #global #solar #manufacturers #of #patent #infringement U.S. solar panel manufacturer First Solar on its Q3 earnings call told analysts it has issued letters through its attorneys to major solar manufacturers, warning that it believes its patents are being infringed upon. “With regard to intellectual property, we have recently sent notification letters to Tier 1 solar manufacturers that we believe are infringing on First Solar’s TOPCon patent portfolio,” said Mark Widmar, chief executive officer, First Solar. The letters were issued to major global solar panel producers Longi, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, JA Solar and Canadian Solar. A number of leading manufacturers are asserting patent-related claims against one another, many of which are related to TOPCon solar cell technology. First Solar possesses a TOPCon patent portfolio through its acquisition of TetraSun in 2013. The company’s TOPCon portfolio includes patents and patent applications in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates, with patent terms extending to 2030. The company has begun investigating its competitors for alleged patent infringement. Following initial investigations, the company said it believes it has valid and enforceable patents related to TOPCon. First Solar’s warning letter to its competitors alleged that the companies are using First Solar TOPCon patents without a license. “We believe the IP-based uncertainty surrounding crystalline silicon manufacturers’ freedom to manufacture and sell TOPCon solar products and the potential complications for a PV project utilizing potentially infringing solar cells should be taken in consideration by developers, project owners and PPA off-takers as well as debt and tax equity financing parties,” said Widmar. “In addition, we believe the current intellectual property landscape, particularly as it relates to TOPCon’s cell technology, underscores one of First Solar’s key competitive differentiators of delivering a unique proprietary homegrown, cadmium telluride semiconductor technology, in contrast to the highly commoditized crystalline silicon modules,” he concluded. https://lnkd.in/dx7q_3JS PV Magazine - NOVEMBER 1, 2024

#Google #Prevails #in #UK #Trademark #Dispute #Over #YouTube ‘#Shorts’ #Branding Google has successfully defended against a trademark lawsuit filed by Shorts International, a British short film company, over its YouTube Shorts platform. The court ruled Thursday that Google’s use of “Shorts” in connection with its short-form video platform does not infringe on the established trademark of Shorts International, alleviating concerns of potential consumer confusion between the two brands. The legal dispute began last year when Shorts International, which operates a TV channel dedicated exclusively to short films, filed a lawsuit claiming that YouTube’s use of the term “Shorts” could mislead audiences and infringe on its trademark. Google-owned YouTube launched Shorts in late 2020, featuring videos limited to a minute in length, as part of a competitive response to the growing popularity of TikTok. According to Reuters, Shorts International argued that this use of “shorts” posed a risk of brand dilution and confusion among audiences. Google’s legal team, led by attorney Lindsay Lane, maintained throughout the case that YouTube Shorts was easily recognizable as a YouTube feature, with no likelihood of confusing it with Shorts International’s brand. As Lane argued earlier this month in court documents, the platform was “abundantly clear” in its association with YouTube, minimizing any possible overlap in brand recognition. udge Michael Tappin agreed with Google’s stance, issuing a written decision that dismissed Shorts International’s claims. According to Reuters, the judge determined that YouTube’s branding for Shorts does not create confusion about the platform’s origins. He further ruled that the tech giant’s use of the term “shorts” would not harm the reputation or unique characteristics of Shorts International’s trademark, effectively eliminating any legal grounds for infringement. The outcome marks a clear win for Google, as it continues to expand its short-form video service. This ruling allows the company to retain the “Shorts” name without modifications or risk of future claims from Shorts International. https://lnkd.in/e2p3ZWmP Paymnts Company - October 31, 2024

#Trademark #Certificate #Class #28 #Games, #toys and #playthings; #video #game #apparatus; #gymnastic and #sporting #articles; #decorations #for #Christmas #trees

#Nokia #resolves #video #patent #case #with #HP Nokia signed a multi-year patent licence agreement with HP covering the Finnish vendor’s video technology, a deal which resolves litigation between the pair. In a short announcement, Nokia stated HP will now be able to use its video technologies in its devices and it would receive royalty payments. Terms of the agreement remain confidential. Nokia filed a lawsuit against HP in the US for alleged unauthorised use of patented video-related technologies in November 2023, alongside a separate case against Amazon over a similar issue. Arvin Patel, chief licensing officer of new segments at Nokia, said the agreement with HP “recognises Nokia’s leadership in video and multimedia technologies, and our decades-long investment in R&D”. When launching the cases, Patel stated litigation was not Nokia’s first choice, but it had been in discussions with HP and Amazon for a number of years and legal action is sometimes “the only way to respond to companies who choose not to play by the rules”. https://lnkd.in/e-chZchr Mobile World Live - October 29, 2024

#A #Decade #Later, #Beyoncé #Is #Still #Pushing #To #Get #A #Trademark #on #Daughter #Blue #Ivy’s #Name Beyoncé’s attorneys are once again asking federal regulators to register Blue Ivy Carter’s name as a trademark, more than 12 years after she and Jay-Z first sought to lock up the intellectual property rights to their daughter’s name. In a motion filed last week at the federal trademark office, lawyers for Beyoncé’s company pushed back on a ruling earlier this year that consumers might confuse the name with another Blue Ivy: a single-store clothing boutique in Wisconsin that has used the name since before the young Carter was born. The star’s lawyers say that ruling should be overturned, arguing that nobody is going to confuse Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter — once dubbed the “most famous baby in the world” — with a small clothing shop. “No reasonable consumer would ever suffer any form of confusion when encountering the [store’s] logo, which is used with one small shop in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 997 people,” Beyoncé’s attorneys write. “Nor would a reasonable consumer encounter the ‘Blue Ivy Carter’ mark and conclude that the famous Carter family had teamed up with a small shop in rural Wisconsin to launch a clothing line.” An attorney for Beyoncé’s company did not immediately return a request for comment on the status of the trademark case. Just weeks after Blue Ivy was born in January 2012, Beyoncé’s BGK Trademark Holdings LLC applied at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to register her unusual name as a trademark. The move raised eyebrows at the time, as fans wondered if the couple was commercializing their daughter. But Jay-Z later told Vanity Fair that they merely wanted to prevent her name from being exploited by others. “People wanted to make products based on our child’s name, and you don’t want anybody trying to benefit off your baby’s name,” he told the magazine in 2013. “It wasn’t for us to do anything; as you see, we haven’t done anything.” More than 12 years later, however, Blue Ivy’s parents have yet to secure that trademark registration. For years, the process was bogged down in legal disputes with a woman named Veronica Morales, who runs a lifestyle event planning company under the name “Blue Ivy” and secured her own trademark to it. In 2020, a tribunal at the USPTO rejected Morales’ complaints, ruling that the two sides’ respective offerings were “so dissimilar that confusion is unlikely.” That ruling seemingly cleared the way for the “Blue Ivy Carter” trademark registration to finally be issued. But attorneys for BGK never moved that application forward, and eventually, the USPTO deemed the application abandoned last year. In November 2023, Beyoncé’s attorneys applied yet again for the same trademark registration. Like previous efforts, however, https://lnkd.in/gkTFpK-q billboard - October 28, 2024

#Apple #won #30 #design #patents #in #Europe #related #to '#Beats #Solo #Buds' #and #filed #for #a #new #Trademark #in #the #U.S. #for '#Image #Playground' Last week the European Patent Office granted Apple 30 design patents relating to Beats Solo Buds and charging case that were issued in Germany. Apple also filed for a new trademark in the U. S. for 'Image Playground' associated with Apple Intelligence. Unlike "patent applications" that provide the public with an abstract, summary and details of an invention, design patents published around the world are limited to only providing the public with design patent figures. No additional specifics of the design are made available. An additional 15 design patents covering every conceivable angle of the case was issued in Germany. Far too many to detail in this report. An additional 10 design patents for Beats Solo Buds were granted in Europe/Germany. There far too many images of partial designs to include in this report. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple filed for "Image Playground" on Wednesday that relates to Apple Intelligence. The details are presented below. For context, iOS 18.2 included the first image generation technologies that will be coming to Apple Intelligence, including Image Playground which is Apple's dedicated image creation app that can build cartoon-like pictures based on text descriptions. For details on this new AI feature, check out the MacRumors report that was published on October 25th. https://lnkd.in/ei3t9KTi Patently Apple - October 27, 2024