Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Klein, Stoddard, Buck & Lewis, LLC is Hiring

Klein, Stoddard, Buck & Lewis, LLC, a general practice law firm in DeKalb County, Illinois is seeking an attorney to handle primarily bankruptcy. Additional duties may include family law and general civil litigation work. We are looking for an individual who desires to establish a long term career in our area. Some travel to surrounding counties may be required. Compensation will be based on experience, productivity, and client base (if any).

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Apple in the metals business?


Announced back in August of 2010, Liquidmetal Technologies licensed its future patent rights for consumer electronics to Apple (see, e.g. http://www.mobilemag.com/2010/08/09/apple-to-make-liquid-metal-iphones/).  Fast forward to July 16, 2013, and U.S. Patent No. 8,485,245 (‘245 patent) issues to an assignee named Crucible Intellectual Property (CIP), LLC., titled “Bulk Amorphous Alloy Sheet Forming Process.”  The link?  You guessed it.  CIP is a subsidiary of Liquidmetal Technologies and “liquidmetal” is another name for amorphous alloy.

First, a “liquidmetal” is not “liquid” at room temperature, but the material does have an amorphous atomic structure (like water) at room temperature.  Also, liquidmetal alloys can have increased strength, excellent corrosion resistance, very high coefficient of restitution (things bounce off it really well) and excellent anti-wearing characteristics.  Naturally, such properties would be useful for components such as cell phone casings, computer casings, covers, etc.

Review of the ‘245 patent shows that Liquidmetal has developed, and now patented, a method for producing thin liquidmetal sheet in a manner similar to how glass sheet, window panes, etc., are produced.  Glass windows are typically produced by pouring molten glass onto a liquid bath of tin.  Tin is liquid at temperatures above 232oC, while typical glass used for window panes, containers, etc., is liquid at temperatures above 550oC.  Therefore, liquid glass can solidify while floating on a bath of liquid tin.  In addition, the liquid tin provides a nice smooth and level surface for a piece of glass floating on it.

Using the same concept, Liquidmetal has developed technology to produce thin sheets of iron- and zirconium-base alloys that will be used by Apple.  Furthermore, and via the ‘245 patent, Liquidmetal (and Apple) has a monopoly on the process until May 14, 2032.  So stay tuned for an upcoming Apple advertising campaign on liquidmetal iPhone covers, iPad covers, etc.  What exact term, work, or phrase they will use to market the covers is not known, but you can bet it will be trademarked and protected as well.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Jordache Jeans v. "Lardashe" Jeans

It's been a while since I reposted one here, but I still receive the Westlaw Headnote of the Day every morning. This one was too good to pass up.
"Jordache" trademark for blue jeans was not infringed by manufacturer that identified its blue jeans for larger women with smiling pig and word "Lardashe" on seat of pants; striking dissimilarities in designs used in marks greatly outweighed any similarities, manufacturer intended to parody but that intent was not to confuse the public, and survey given by trademark owner did not demonstrate actual confusion.

Jordache Enterprises, Inc. v. Hogg Wyld, Ltd., 828 F.2d 1482 (10th Cir. 1987)
What was the target market for these jeans anyway? For some reason I'm not surprised that I have not heard about Lardashe jeans until now.

Friday, November 8, 2013

20% of businesses in Illinois are owned by immigrants

Here in Illinois, fully 14% of people living here were born outside of the U.S. This large portion of the population contributes significantly to business in Illinois, as the headline suggests.  For some added perspective on the impact of immigrants on business in Illinois, check out this infographic:



For even more information, click here.

Monday, November 4, 2013

NIU Law Class Reunions

Don't forget about the class reunions on November 15, 2013 for the classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2008. Click HERE to register.