International

Apple files iTunes trademark covering new gadgets, services

http://www.macnn.com/blogs/?p=521

On april 21, Apple expanded its trademarks wuth the European Trademark Office from 4 to 19 categories. This will help Apple expand its iTunes accesories and capabilities in Europe.

This patent allows an American company to be that much more protected overseas and allow Apple to grow that much more.

Universities’ Intellectual Property Stance Criticized

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/04/22/ip

The issue in this article is about international pharmaceuticals. There are negotiations with the Wirld Health Organizations that would replace interantional property rights with international contests with huge cash prizes. Some say that the system in place is good enough but others say that this would encourage innovation even more in this field.

This would greatly affect how medical innovation gets into and benefits developing countries who need the cures medicine can provide. Just as talked about in class, medicine is huge money and the outcome of this will affect how people get paid.

LG accuses Whirlpool of patent infringement

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSWNAS959120080424

LG as filed suit against Whirlpool for copyright infringement for stealing ideas from the South Keorean company which include food storage and water dispencers. LG had already filed with the ITC in January to stop Whirlpool from selling the infringing products.

These two companies will probab;y have to get some kind of arbitrator it act as the middle man, which would probably be the ITC because they are already involved, to settle the suit.