Prominent IP Updates on Feb 10, 2015

Microsoft and Samsung settle Android patent lawsuit

Samsung and Microsoft have settled a lawsuit regarding the former’s non-payment of royalties relating to Android. Back at the beginning of August, it was reported that Microsoft was suing Samsung for failing to pay its Android patent fees.

IBM sues online travel company Priceline for patent infringement

IBM has sued online travel company Priceline Group and three subsidiaries for refusing to negotiate a license to four of its patents. The computing giant has asked that Priceline be barred from using the patents without authorization, besides paying damages for the patent infringement so far and reimbursement of costs and attorneys’ fees.

Telstra, Optus, Vodafone unite in GPS patent dispute

In a rare moment of unity, Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are fighting against a claim that their mobile networks infringe patents in how customers’ mobile phones are tracked on mobile networks. The case was brought against the three telcos at the end of 2013, with Voxson alleging that the operators are infringing on its two patents.

Phase2 Launches New USPTO.gov Site with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

Phase2 today announced the launch of the new USPTO.gov, a revamped version of the United States Patent & Trademark Office’s old website. The site is built on Drupal, the open source content management system (CMS) used by numerous other federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, the White House, and most recently the Department of Interior.

New Apple Patent Reveals Touch ID Fingerprint Scanner Could Be Moved To iPhone’s ‘Touchscreen’ Instead Of ‘Home Button’

Apparently, Apple has filed a new patent titled “Fingerprint Sensor in an Electronic Device.” This patent revolves around the Touch ID fingerprint scanner located on the home button of the Apple devices. If reports are true, the Touch ID will be placed directly inside the touchscreen of the Apple iPhone or the iPad, instead of the home button.

Asetek Announces Settlement of Lawsuit with CoolIT Systems, Inc.

Asetek announces that it has settled its patent infringement lawsuit against CoolIT Systems, Inc. and agreed to dismiss the case (Asetek Danmark A/S v. CoolIT Systems, Inc., Northern District of California federal district court).

Towson University transfers Captioning Solutions Technology to BTS Software Solutions

Towson University (TU) and BTS Software Solutions (BTS-S2) concluded a successful STEM technology transfer for Towson University Captioning Solutions (TUCS), a patent-pending, live captioning and transcription solution that will serve the deaf and hard of hearing communities.

Lintec announces exclusive license to commercialize technology from University of Texas at Dallas

Lintec of America recently announced an exclusive license to commercialize novel fabrication methods for carbon nanotube (CNT) macrostructures, including sheets, yarns and ribbons, developed at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD).

French charity attacks Gilead patent for hepatitis drug

French charity Medecins du Monde (MdM) on Tuesday said it was contesting a European patent awarded to a hepatitis drug made by US firm Gilead Sciences, arguing the treatment was too costly. The organisation—”Doctors of the World”—said it had filed a “brief in opposition” with the European Patent Office (EPO).