Kenny Crews on Protecting Your Scholarship

kenny-crewsKenneth Crews, copyright maven and founding director of the Copyright Advisory Office at Columbia University, spoke today at an event co-sponsored by the Harvard Office for Scholarly Communication, Harvard Law School Library, and the Berkman Center for Internet and Society.  Professor Crews discussed the issues affecting authors and creators of copyrightable works, from books, articles, lectures and class notes, to software, databases, websites, schematics, drawings, blueprints, renderings, movies, songs, lyrics, sculpture, choreography, landscape designs, and many other products of human creativity.

To listen to a full mp3 of the discussion, visit the Berkman Center’s podcast website.

Until his appointment at Columbia in January 2009, Kenny Crews was a professor at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis and the IU School of Library and Information Science. His work has won wide acclaim, and he has been active in projects and initiatives on copyright law in the United States and around the world. You can read more about his work here.

Indiana's New Cell Phone Law

woman_car_highresHey, Indiana, leave those kids alone!  Senate Bill 16, signed last week by Governor Daniels, hopes to prevent young drivers  from using a “telecommunications device” while operating a motor vehicle.  So, kids, no more texting, talking or tweeting while behind the wheel.

SB 16 goes into effect July 1, 2009.  The pertinent language (full image below):

(4) The individual may not operate a motor vehicle while using a telecommunications device until the individual becomes eighteen (18) years of age unless the telecommunications device is being used to make a 911 emergency call.

SB 16

SB 16-2

Click here for the full text of Senate Bill 16.

The bill, heavily sponsored by AAA, is based on statistics conclusively showing that teens driving and using a cell phone is dangerous.  But I’ve seen plenty of statistics that say the same about adult drivers.  In fact, maybe the additional comfort level that comes with years of experience could make adults more prone to losing focus on the road while texting or talking.  Could this law be a precursor to some more expansive cell phone restrictions down the road?

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Heckler & Koch v. Tippman Sports, Tigerstripe Paintball

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Court Case Number: 1:09-cv-00560-WTL-TAB
File Date: Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Plaintiff: Heckler & Koch, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Brian J. McGinnis, Darlene R. Seymour of Continental Enterprises
Defendant: Tippman Sports LLC, Tigerstripe Paintball LLC
Cause: Trademark Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge William T. Lawrence
Referred To: Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker

heckler1Leave a comment with your email if you’d like a copy of the full Complaint.

University of Missouri Halts Indiana School’s Use of Tiger Logo

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David can’t always afford to fight Goliath.  Warsaw Community Schools (Warsaw, Indiana) recently received a cease and desist letter from the University of Missouri to stop using their tiger logo.

A licensing company determined that it was the same tiger logo as the University of Missouri’s and issued a cease and desist order. picture-21

A few years ago Warsaw re-designed their tiger to modernize it but claim that they didn’t intend to copy Missouri’s.  The logo can be found on Warsaw’s track, trash cans, stationary, staff uniforms, and football uniforms.

Even if the logos aren’t identical, are they confusingly similar?  Any more so than the other 1,000 Tigers athletics programs out there?  Apparently, Warsaw didn’t want to find out and has decided not to challenge Missouri.  Instead, Warsaw will be selecting a new logo…a contest will be held among their students to determine the new logo.  And perhaps a trademark attorney could run a quick clearance search.

Source: WNDU

2009 Indiana Robotics Invitational – Applications accepted May 1

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iriGet those applications ready for the 2009 Indiana Robotics Invitational. It’s the 10th annual Indiana Robotics Invitational, and promises to be the “biggest and best ever.”  Applications will be accepted starting tomorrow, May 1.

The event takes place July 31 – August 1, 2009, at Lawrence North High School (Indianapolis, IN). 72 teams will compete for a handful of prestigious awards and $1000 scholarships.

Here are your 2009 Robot requirements:

A. Robots must meet the design and safety requirements of the 2009 “Lunacy” Game
B. Teams have an honorary 5 pound allowance in total robot weight. Bring your Gracious Professionalism.  There will be no weigh in or technical inspection.
C. The Referees reserve the right to Disqualify or require Repair or Modification to any robot that appears to be unsafe or is operating outside of the “Lunacy” rules and guidelines.
D.  Robots may be highly modified from their official FIRST competition configuration provided they meet rule A.

Visit www.indianaroboticsinvitational.org and www.chiefdelphi.com for updates.

Please leave a comment if you plan to participate or have a story from a past event.