Facebook recently filed a Patent Application that Triggered a Congressional inquiry. The patent application, which describes technology for tracking users on other websites, resulted in a letter from Reps. Edward Markey, D- Mass., and Joe Barton, R-Texas, seeking information on its current privacy practices and future intentions for tracking user…
Social media took a step into the real world with Pepsi’s announcement of a social vending machine. According to the press release, Pepsi will launch its Social Vending System, a state-of-the-art networked unit that features full touch screen interactive vending technology, enabling consumers to better connect with PepsiCo brands right…
On March 15, hours after its asserted patent was issued (U.S. Patent No. 7,908,342), Wireless Ink Corp. filed a complaint for patent infringement against Facebook, Google, YouTube, and MySpace in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 1:11-cv-01751-PKC. Wireless Ink is a mobile content…
Gibson Guitar Corp. recently filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee alleging that Seven45 Studios’ video game “Power Gig: Rise of the SixString,” infringes Gibson’s concert simulation patent. Gibson filed its complaint against 745 LLC (d/b/a Seven45 Studios) asserting “Power Gig” violates its U.S. Patent Number 5,990,405,…
OnLive announced that it was awarded a patent that it alleges is a “fundamental cloud gaming patent.” The patent, USP 7,849,491, is entitled “Apparatus and method for wireless video gaming” was filed in 2002 but just issued in December 2010 after an 8 year battle with the Patent Office. According…
Motorola Mobility Inc. recently brought an action before the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) against Microsoft Corp. relating to the importation of the Xbox 360 console. At the center of the controversy is the potential infringement of five patents covering digital video coding and transmission. The case is In re:…
In October, tech media sources, such as CNET, were reporting that Facebook had acquired part of Zenbe’s intellectual property portfolio, in addition to hiring some of Zenbe’s key engineers. While Zenbe will stay intact, Zenbe Mail has been shut down, and the associated intellectual property, has been acquired by Facebook. …
Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and Valve have been sued for patent infringement over two patents relating to purchasing products relating to games. The suit, filed by Olympic Developments AG, LLC, involves US Patents 5,475, 585 (“Transactional Processing System”) and 6,246,400 (“Device for Controlling Remote Interactive Receiver”). The ‘585 patent was issued…
Microsoft recently agreed to buy Canesta, which makes gesture control technology. This appears to be part of a roll up strategy by Microsoft having purchased 3DV Systems and licenses from GestureTek and PrimeSense. A recent article in Venture Beat speculates that Microsoft may be close to having ownership of or…
Everglades Interactive, LLC has filed a patent litigation against a number of social game companies for alleged infringement of USP 6,656,050. The patent is entitled “Odds Accelerator for Promotional Type Sweepstakes, Games, and Contests.” A sample claim of the patent is as follows: A method enabling at least one player…