Property Rights - Innovation Gadfly

FEATURED

Got Knockoffs? Hit ‘Em with a 337 Complaint

Jayme Smaldone /

- Business -

July 11, 2024

We had a problem. Our patented Smartgrip, which allows any item to grip when knocked but lifts naturally, was gaining steam. Mighty Mug, our first item with Smartgrip, was so innovative that it attracted many imitators, which became a problem we were set on solving. Imitation is a form of flattery and a sign that […]

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New Legislation that Restores America’s Leadership in Innovation

Paul Morinville /

- Legislation -

May 2, 2024

On April 26, 2024, Representatives Thomas Massie and Marcy Kaptur introduced the Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act (RALIA) in the House Judiciary IP Subcommittee. RALIA is one of those rare bills that actually does what its title says it does. RALIA restores America’s leadership in innovation, which is very much in the interest of […]

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A Wall Street Redux And The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act

Publius /

- Legislation -

April 24, 2024

Background/History Financial services firms (Wall Street) have long argued that they should be exempt from the rules applicable to others. They have showered their champions in Congress with large campaign contributions in return for special exemptions. The role of Senator Schumer in this connection is discussed in the New York Times in an article titled […]

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Apple Goes To Amazing Lengths To Destroy Inventors

Randy Landreneau /

- New -

April 4, 2024

It used to be that a biometric sensor wouldn’t work on a moving body. A heart sensor would only work on a motionless person, like a patient in a coma. The solution that solved this problem was invented and patented by Dr. Steven LeBeouf. Dr. LeBeouf, who has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (no small […]

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Inventor Able to Overcome Muscular Dystrophy, But Not the PTAB

Randy Landreneau /

- New -

March 29, 2024

Gene Luoma is a prolific inventor with roughly a dozen patents. He grew up on a farm in rural Minnesota, where money was tight. If he wanted something, he often had to make it. In his teens, Gene’s muscles started to weaken. He had muscular dystrophy, and it would worsen as he grew older. But […]

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Multi-Billion-Dollar, Life-saving Inventor Invalidated

Randy Landreneau /

- Corruption -

March 18, 2024

Not that long ago, replacing a heart valve required a complicated surgery. You had to have your chest opened, and your heart stopped. You had to be in pretty good shape to be allowed to receive this surgery, and even so, approximately 20% of the recipients died from the surgery. Things are quite different now […]

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Another Approach to Protecting Inventors’ Rights

Cheryl Darrup and David Newhoff /

- Copyright -

March 12, 2024

Gearheads and grease monkeys (and those who love them) have been drawn to Clock9nine’s stunning works of applied art, crafted from vintage automotive parts. It all started in 2020 when founder Matt Zufelt pulled the old nylon-toothed gear set out of his ‘78 Lincoln Continental while rebuilding the engine. “It looked so cool,” he couldn’t […]

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USPTO Obviousness Guidance: An Opportunity for Inventors

Molly Metz /

- New -

March 4, 2024

Recently, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued updated guidance to agency employees on the proper application of obviousness doctrine when determining patent validity. As a representative of America’s inventor community who has strongly opposed certain developments at the USPTO, I want to express my gratitude to Director Vidal for her work in clarifying […]

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Down But Not Out, IPwe Looks to Restructure

Matt Moyers /

- New -

February 21, 2024

A Shoutout to IPwe IPwe was capitalism at its most pure, and it was a noble and honorable effort by Erich Spangenberg, founder of IPwe, to attempt to build a better marketplace for patents. After years of using his asymmetrical edge in the patent system to accrue hundreds of millions in patent licensing and litigation […]