I’ve just read an excellent article about cinematic depiction of computer use in The Guardian. This is a topic of endless derision from techies and geeks all over the world. The article mentions that the balance can be tricky. In one hand we have the most realistic depiction of computers Read more
I’m generally not into New Year’s resolutions, but I believe that this year I will promise to write less snowclones. A snowclone, according to Wikipedia, “is a neologism used to describe a type of formula-based cliché which uses an old idiom in a new context. The term emphasizes the use Read more
Several recording companies have sued Russian site AllofMP3.com for copyright infringement. The site is not precisely a P2P sharing network, it is more analogous to “legal” download sites where users purchase individual songs and albums at amazingly low prizes. The problem is that the site does not pay royalties to Read more
(via IPKat). Halliburton has lost its appeal on its case against Smith international with regards to software for designing drill bits. The software patent involved in Halliburton v Smith protected a software simulation program for designing the drill bits. Halliburton sued Smith, claimed it held patents in both the drill Read more
The latest issue of SCRIPTed is now online. In this issue: Editorial: Alastair Kent, “Patients and IP – Should we care?” Special Issue on Privacy: Lilian Edwards, “Introduction to the Special Issue” When personal data, behavior and virtual identities become a commodity: Would a property rights approach matter?, Corien Prins Read more
Continuing the series of stories from Costa Rica, the Costa Rican govenrment has started to implement a series of measures to reduce the digital divide between the information haves and have-nots. Starting in February, the government will be offering computer and internet connections at affordable prices. For as little as Read more
The Commission on International Affairs of the Costa Rican legislature has approved CAFTA amidst strong opposition from students, intellectuals and union leaders. The vote in the commission was 6-3 in favour of sending the agreement to the plenary for it to be voted. As mentioned earlier, some of the less Read more
(via Patentingart list) It is true that to many of us IP is a source of income, but is it a matter of life and death? One man in Chicago thought so. Truck driver and sometimes inventor Joe Jackson murdered patent lawyer Michael McKenna and two other people at the Read more
I may be the only UK-based technology and IP blogger that has not yet mentioned the Gowers report. Because I’m in Costa Rica, I’ve been tempted to ignore writing about the report because so many people have already commented intelligently on it. Perhaps my only take is to stress again Read more
Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace laureate Oscar Arias Sánchez met in the White House with George W. Bush to talk about debt, democracy in Latin America, and of course CAFTA. As mentioned in earlier posts, Costa Rica has yet to ratify and implement the agreement. Bush was briefed about Read more