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Table of Contents

• This Week's Patent News

• Weekly Statistics

• Main Article

• Trivia (question)

• Featured Inventor

• Today in Patent History

• Our Features

• Centurion Patentors

• Trivia (answer)

This Week's Patent News:

1. Amazon and Nokia Settle Global Patent Dispute: Amazon and Nokia resolved a worldwide patent dispute concerning the alleged misuse of Nokia's streaming video technology in Amazon's Prime Video and Twitch services. The settlement includes a multi-year patent agreement, ending all litigation between the companies.

2. Secure Matrix LLC Sues Multiple Companies for Patent Infringement: New York-based Secure Matrix LLC filed patent infringement lawsuits against several companies, including H-E-B, Taco Cabana, and Grunt Style. The suits allege unauthorized use of a patent related to secure logins and mobile payments utilizing QR codes and push notifications.

3. Scilex Appeals Patent Ruling on ZTlido: Scilex Holding Company appealed a lower court decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The appeal pertains to an infringement action against Aveva Drug Delivery Systems concerning patents related to Scilex's ZTlido product.

4. Delhi High Court Penalizes Amazon for Trademark Infringement: The Delhi High Court imposed a ₹340 crore penalty on Amazon for trademark infringement involving the "Beverly Hills Polo Club" logo. The court found that Amazon's private label, "Symbol," used a deceptively similar logo, leading to consumer confusion.

5. Tobacco Industry Engages in Patent Wars: The tobacco industry is witnessing intensified patent disputes, reminiscent of the technology sector's "patent wars," as companies vie to secure patents for reduced-risk products, leading to a series of legal battles.

The Accidental Invention That Transformed Households

The Magic Eraser, that modern-day sorcerer of scuffed walls and mystery stains, owes its creation not to wizards but to the unassuming genius of melamine foam. Its journey from obscure industrial material to household staple is a tale of accidental brilliance and marketing savvy. Melamine foam was initially developed in the late 20th century by BASF, the German chemical giant. The material's exceptional strength, heat resistance, and microstructure made it a darling of industrial applications, from soundproofing to insulation. But its true magic, its ability to act as microscopic sandpaper, remained largely unnoticed until a clever team at Procter & Gamble saw its potential for household cleaning.

Enter the early 2000s. Procter & Gamble discovered that melamine foams’ open-cell structure could remove stains with nothing but water. Unlike harsh chemical cleaners, the foam acted like a super-fine abrasive, lifting marks without leaving a residue. They branded it the Magic Eraser, and voilà, a household phenomenon was born. The name alone was a stroke of genius; after all, who doesn’t want to feel like a wizard while scrubbing crayon marks off the wall?

Please scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to find out.

Kurian's journey into the realm of innovation began serendipitously. In 2014, he attended an internal training session on patent filing, a requirement that would become a catalyst for his inventive streak. This session ignited a passion for identifying and solving complex problems within the banking sector, particularly in the domains of mobile data and authentication technologies. ​

As a Senior Vice President and technology Executive, Kurian's focus has been on enhancing the efficiency and security of data management systems. His innovations have not only streamlined internal processes but have also significantly improved client experiences, embodying the bank's commitment to technological advancement. Kurian's work is characterized by a deep understanding of both the technical and human elements of banking, ensuring that his inventions are as user-friendly as they are groundbreaking. ​

Despite his remarkable achievements, Kurian remains a humble figure, often attributing his success to the collaborative environment at Bank of America and the support of his colleagues. ​

In an era where technological innovation is the linchpin of competitive advantage, Manu Kurian exemplifies how dedication, curiosity, and a commitment to problem-solving can lead to extraordinary contributions, not just to one's organization but to the broader tapestry of global technological advancement.

Congratulations to last week's Centurion Patentors!
We are excited to welcome the following inventors into these prestigious patent clubs:

For more info about their research & patents, click here

The answer is:

53 days - Patent #6306383 “Method for topical treatment of scars with protein kinase c inhibitors”.

53 days - Patent #6933478 “Joint heat”.

56 days - Patent #10767169 “Nucleic acid-guided nucleases”.