Posts Tagged ‘violation’

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By Scott Nyman

Most people know better than to mess with a motorcycle gang.  The Hells Angels MC, notorious for their reputation of organized crime and violence, is perhaps one of the most famous and feared MC of them all.  In fact, messing with this particular group of bikers is like poking a wasps’ nest, wherein the wasps all have beards, wear leather, and carry weapons.

They call me the "fixer."

With over a hundred chapters spread around 29 countries, the Hells Angels have worked hard to establish their tough reputation. As such, it comes as no surprise that when someone threatens their street credit, they bring out the most deadly weapon they have, their copyright and trademark attorneys. That’s right, in this modern age I’m considered a more deadly weapon than a chain swinging grizzly on a Harley Davidson.

I wouldn't violate his copyrights if you paid me.

Recently, the Hells Angels have filed suit against British fashion designer Alexander McQueen for copyright infringement. The alleged infringing designs include a $1,595 Hells Angels Jaquard Dress and a $495 Hells Four Finger Ring. “This isn’t just about money, it’s about membership. If you’ve got one of these rings on, a member might get really upset that you’re an imposter,” says Fritz Clapp, attorney for the Hells Angels.

I’m no fashion expert, but spending over $2,000 to incur the wrath of history’s most notorious motorcycle gang  sounds like a pretty bad idea to me.

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By Scott Nyman

Recently, I reported on Microsoft’s warnings to mobile phone manufacturers about adopting Google’s Android platform.  Since that time, the mobile world has exploded into a web of litigation. So far, the players include Microsoft, Apple, HTC, Motorola, Google, and Oracle. This web is so tangled, I had to create a graphic to help make sense of it all.

First, Microsoft is suing Motorola in regard to its Android platform, violating nine Microsoft owned patents. Some of the alleged infringing technologies include notifications, contact databases, synchronization, and meeting requests.

Apple has also entered the ring, bringing suit against HTC. Apple alleges HTC’s use of the Android platform violates key Apple patents related to multi-touch and its object-oriented operating system. Speculation suggests this action against HTC is the first assault in the Apple offensive against Google’s Android platform.

Motorola, not content only litigating with Microsoft, has just recently filed suit to invalidate the Apple patents powering Apple’s infringement case against HTC. Motorola hopes for a declaratory judgment, offering protection from an apparently looming Apple infringement action against them.

Although not directly involved in the preceding infringement suits, Google has pledged to support its partners who helped develop Android. Google has encountered its own legal scuffle with Oracle over the Java platform used in Android. If the Java case is ruled in Oracle’s favor, you can expect Oracle to start filing infringement suits against some of Google’s key partners.

Only time will tell how all these infringement suits play out. It looks like the patent battles are just warming up in the war for mobile dominance.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2013

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