Michael Jackson's "Smooth" Shoe Patent

22 Wednesday Jul 2009

Posted by in Just for Fun, Patent

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Source: USA Today

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Franklin College v. Franklin University SETTLEMENT

21 Tuesday Jul 2009

Posted by in Litigation, Trademark

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FranklinCThat didn’t take long.  The Indy Star reports that the Franklin College vs. Franklin University trademark litigation, filed just weeks ago, is already headed for settlement after Ohio-based Franklin University agreed to modify the manner in which it identifies itself in any advertising material sent out to prospective students.

Lawyers for both institutions filed a joint Agreed Judgment today to be approved by the judge.  According to the Agreed Judgment (full images below), Franklin University will have to add the words “of Ohio” or “Columbus, Ohio” to its promotional literature and broadcast advertisements starting Aug. 3.

Additionally, Franklin U. won’t use any variation of the combination of the words “Indianapolis,” “Indiana” or “campus.”

Neither party has admitted liability or fault in connection with the subject matter of the case.

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FranklinAgreedJudgment3So that’s it.  Unless there’s another twist, this should be the end of this trademark litigation.  The terms of settlement come so quickly after filing that it makes one wonder whether this could have been settled without filing a lawsuit.  But perhaps putting this matter in the public eye is what drove one or both of the parties to settle.  Nice work all around.

Wind Power Conference Opens in Indianapolis

21 Tuesday Jul 2009

Posted by in Indiana, Tech Developments

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The second annual WIndiana conference opens today, July 21, at the Indianapolis Convention Center (full agenda).  The 2-day conference focuses on wind resources in Indiana for both utility level wind development, urban or smaller wind power, helping Indiana manufacturers enter or expand their presence in the wind industry supply chain, and what the future holds for the wind industry in the state. Both Governor Mitch Daniels and Lt. Governor Becky Skillman are addressing the conference.

Along with general sessions, WIndiana includes two separate tracks, Wind Resources and Indiana’s Wind Supply Chain. The three supply chain sessions will include topics such as Indiana Site Selection for Manufacturing Opportunities, Supply Chain Basics, and Supply Chain Nuts and Bolts.

The American Wind Energy Association has ranked Indiana as the fastest-growing state for wind energy in 2008 and by the end of 2009, Indiana is on track for growth this year of more than 600%, which would again lead the nation. Indiana is on track to have 5,000 MW of wind capacity by 2013 and Indiana has thus far made good use of its endowments, and its current installed wind power capacity ranks it 14th among states.

Indiana is ranked sixth in the nation for manufacturing job creation in the wind industry. There are 45,794 Hoosiers working in jobs directly related to the renewable energy industry, generating $11.17 Billion in annual output, which is over 2 percent of Indiana’s total output.

Additional information is available at the OED Web site, www.energy.IN.gov.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Indiana Teenager Investigated by FBI Over World of Warcraft Comments

14 Tuesday Jul 2009

Posted by in Just for Fun, Tech Developments

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Big Brother has come to Azeroth.  An Indiana resident has been contacted by authorities over comments made in the popular online game World of Warcraft.  The 18-year-old typed multiple “threats” that he “was going to board a plane at 7:30 to Chicago and that (he) as going to try and kill as many Americans as possible.”  The Indy Star reports:

A Johnson County man who told investigators that he was merely testing a theory could face federal charges after he told deputies he threatened to blow up a commercial airliner.

The 18-year-old, who lives in the 4000 block of Ridgemere Drive, Greenwood, told Johnson County deputies that he was playing a popular online role-playing game early Monday morning when he issued a threat that he “was going to board a plane at 7:30 to Chicago and that (he) was going to try and kill as many Americans as possible,” according to an incident report from the sheriff’s department.

A facilitator with an online gaming center alerted authorities after she noticed several messages from the man, who was playing “World of Warcraft,” threatening to blow up an airliner.

The man, who originally told investigators that someone had hacked into his computer, admitted he jokingly made the threats, which did not name a specific airline, because he had heard that merely doing so would bring police to his house, “but I didn’t really believe it,” he said in a written statement.

A representative from Blizzard Entertainment, the online gaming site, would not disclose the exact content of the chat logs to investigators without a subpoena, but she said the logs seemed “very serious” and did not seem like jokes.

The man’s computer was seized as evidence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations, which took over the investigation, could file charges with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, according to the affidavit.

flyingmount1Some might suggest that this is further evidence of America’s hypersensitivity to security issues.  It’s telling that we’re now at the point where the FBI investigates teenagers who post inflammatory comments in online games.  Admittedly, it’s not always easy to know where to draw the line between security and civil rights.  Quite frankly, I’ve seen people say much worse (and more realistic) comments in online games.  Under a different gaming center facilitator, this kid would merely been dismissed as a troll.  I’d imagine the FBI can pretty quickly determine whether this individual had undergone any real planning towards carrying out the “threats” (i.e. plane tickets, weapons, etc.). But should the FBI really be involved in this at all?  Couldn’t local law enforcement sufficiently handle this investigation?

Regardless of the outcome of this particular matter, here’s the bottom line…be careful what you say online because people ARE listening.

Source: Indystar.com