Tech Law Prof Blog

PEZ Flashback - But Now With MP3s

As reported by CNET, at news.com, the well-known PEZ candy dispenser will soon be used to sell MP3 players that will appear to look like the traditional dispenser.  This, after PEZ entered into a licensing agreement with Lincoln West Studios.  There will be no candy in the new dispensers.

Possibility of a Real Jurasic Park?

This may not exactly be "cyber/tech" news, but it is certainly interesting to the scientists among us.  SiliconValley.com reports that seventy million year-old soft tissue of a tyrannasaurus rex was discovered in Montana.  Who knows where this can lead?

Students in China Protest as Universities Begin to Take Control Over Student-Run Websites

As reported in the Washington Post, Universities in China are attempting to prevent students' use of on-line discussion forums dealing with world events and politics.  Students are participating in protests in response.  Read more about this here.

Apple's Attempts to Stop Website Are Not Working

The New York Times reports that in attempts to protect its trade secrets, Apple has requested that a website, run by a 19 year-old Harvard student, stop publishing information regarding Apple technology.   These requests, however, have not been obeyed and thus, the "rumor mill" of new Apple products is available. 

New Articles on the Microsoft Tying Claim

Professor Andrew Chin, from the University of North Carolina School of Law, has published two articles discussing the Microsoft tying claim under Article I of the Sherman Act.  The first article is Antitrust Analysis in Software Product Markets, published in the Harvard Journal of Law and Technology. The second article is Decoding Microsoft, published in the Wake Forest Law Review.  Both can be found via link through Professor Chin's website.  Enjoy the read.

$300 Million Settlement between SEC and Time Warner

A settlement was reached between Time Warner and the SEC, settling an ongoing dispute regarding allegations of fraud.  There was no admission of wrong-doing as part of the agreement.  Read about it here, from the Washington Post.

A Second Look at Our Improvements to Our Lifestyles

In her New York Times Magazine article, Bad Connections, Christine Rosen discusses the pros and cons of the new technology most of use every day, like cellular telephones and DVR machines (like TiVo).  She projects possible negative side effects from use (or overuse) of certain products possibly facing society.

Other Legal Protections Used By IP Attorneys

The New York Law Journal provides an insightful article for intellectual property attorneys and their technologically advanced clients.  Stephen M. Kramarsky explains how attorneys often strategically use areas like unfair competition in litigation matters where the USPTO has been slow in providing protection for certain new technology.

Patent Case Settlement Between Chip Maker and Memory Chip Designer

The battle is finally over and a settlement has been reached.  SiliconValley.com provides details of this settlement between Rambus and Infineon, including payments to Rambus of up to $150 million.

The Internet as a Grey Market Facilitator

CNET has an interesting feature piece on the role of the Internet and Web site such as eBay in facilitating grey market (goods sold into markets other than those for which they were intended) transactions.  Read it here.

From Groklaw: GNU GPL Tested in Court

Groklaw, an excellent tech law blog, is reporting on a case testing the GPL (GNU General Public License).  Interesting stuff.

Adidas' New Sneakers Contain Microprocessor

According to CNET, Adidas has recently produced a tennis shoe that contains computer-type technology to automatically adjust to the user's needs.  This means the ability to provide increasing cushioning as the user needs it.  Big Brother is walking with you.

Cell Phone Screens Being Used to Read Books

It sounds like something difficult to do but in Japan, people are reading books and other writings on their cell phones.  Those who use it say it is not bad at all.  People enjoy having the ability and convenience of using their phones, which are typically quite small, to read a book.  Read the article from the Los Angeles Times here.