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Table of Contents

• Weekly Statistics

• This Week's Patent News

• Main Article

• Trivia (question)

• Featured Inventor

• Today in Patent History

• Our Features

• Centurion Patentors

• Trivia (answer)

• Recommendations

This Week's Patent News:

1. Nokia is on the verge of securing two U.S. import bans against Amazon. A preliminary ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has found Amazon guilty of infringing on Nokia's patents, specifically related to video coding technology. This could potentially lead to a ban on importing Amazon's streaming devices into the U.S. However, the final decision is still pending, and Amazon is likely to challenge the ruling.

2. InterDigital has filed lawsuits against Disney, including its Hulu and ESPN+ subsidiaries, over alleged patent infringements related to video streaming technology. The legal actions have been initiated in multiple jurisdictions, including the U.S., Germany, and Brazil. InterDigital is seeking a permanent injunction and fair compensation for its patented technologies. This move highlights the increasing trend of SEP holders targeting streaming services for patent licensing. It will be interesting to see how Disney responds and whether this leads to a licensing agreement or further legal battles.

3. USAA Sues Regions Bank Over Mobile Banking Patents: On January 28, USAA filed a lawsuit against Regions Bank in Texas federal court, alleging that Regions' mobile banking app infringes on four of USAA's patents related to remote deposit technology. This follows USAA's previous legal actions against other banks, resulting in over $500 million in verdicts and settlements. reuters.com

4. Supreme Court Petitioned to Clarify Copyright Statute of Limitations: A case involving photographer Michael Grecco has reached the Supreme Court, seeking clarification on whether the Copyright Act's three-year statute of limitations begins at the time of infringement or upon discovery by the copyright holder. The circuits are currently divided on this issue.

5. USPTO Faces Potential Changes to Remote Work Policies: A joint memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has set a February 7 deadline for agencies, including the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to submit plans addressing a return to in-person work. This could significantly impact the USPTO's current remote work program.

6. Trump is Back in Power: How Will His Administration Impact Patent Law and Protection for Inventors? “Given Howard Lutnick’s experience in losing patents under the Alice standard, perhaps we will see the Commerce department encourage Congress to move forward on patent reform.”

7. Moore Tells Appellate Court that Newman's Challenge to Suspension is Doomed: The Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit informed the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit that Judge Pauline Newman's appeal against her suspension should fail, arguing that her claims do not meet the "exceptional circumstances" required for transfer to another circuit and that her constitutional challenges are precluded.

8. Patent Data Reports Show China’s Continued Gains: Recent patent data indicates that while U.S. patent grants increased overall, China continues to make significant gains in acquiring U.S. patents, highlighting its rapid advancement in various tech sectors.

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From Popsicles to Patents: The Cool Innovation Reshaping Cosmetic Dermatology

The idea behind CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, originated from a curious phenomenon: children who frequently ate popsicles seemed to develop dimples in their cheeks. This observation led Anderson and Manstein to hypothesize that fat cells are particularly susceptible to cold temperatures. Building on this insight, they designed a method to target and freeze fat cells beneath the skin without harming surrounding tissues. The frozen fat cells undergo apoptosis, naturally breaking down and leaving the body over time.

Patented in 2008, their innovation was commercialized by Zeltiq Aesthetics, which brought CoolSculpting to the global market. Since its FDA approval in 2010, the technology has become a game-changer in cosmetic dermatology, offering millions a safe, effective alternative to liposuction.

CoolSculpting exemplifies the power of translational medicine bridging a novel observation with cutting-edge engineering to meet a real-world need. Anderson and Manstein’s pioneering work redefined the aesthetics industry and underscored the value of curiosity-driven research. Their achievement serves as a testament to the enduring impact of interdisciplinary innovation.

IDiyas created a YouTube video on this invention that you can access here.

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

Dr. Sandeep Chauhan: A Visionary Leader in Financial Technology and Innovation

His profound expertise in global payment ecosystems spans prominent financial hubs, including the U.S., U.K., and Singapore. With an in-depth understanding of payment infrastructures such as Zelle and ACH (U.S.), BACS and Faster Payments (U.K.), and FAST (Singapore), he has been instrumental in integrating ISO 20022 messaging standards, setting a benchmark in seamless and efficient financial operations.

Dr. Chauhan is at the forefront of implementing innovative solutions for digital wallets, interbank and intrabank transfers, settlement processes, and liability payments, addressing the evolving demands of the financial technology landscape.

Dr. Chauhan’s contributions to technology innovation extend beyond his industry achievements. He is a prolific inventor, holding over 100 issued USPTO patents in areas like machine learning and authentication technologies, and has authored numerous influential papers on autonomic computing. His work not only pushes the boundaries of technological advancement but also lays the groundwork for scalable, robust systems that redefine the future of financial services.

A thought leader and a catalyst for change, Dr. Chauhan’s career reflects a commitment to advancing the financial technology industry through ingenuity, collaboration, and a vision for a digitally empowered world.

For a deeper look into Dr. Chauhan’s scholarly contributions, visit his Google Scholar profile

Teflon's non-stick properties have made it famous, leading to its use in various applications. Roy Plunkett was honored with induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1985. The term "Teflon" has even become a metaphor for people who appear immune to criticism, particularly in politics.

Country/State/City Leaderboard by Year (1976-2025)

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:

Utility patent - 133 inventors, 11381445 - “Network architecture, methods, and devices for a wireless communications network“, 10367677 - “Network architecture, methods, and devices for a wireless communications network“.

Design patent - 37 inventors, D947839, D874458, D790517, D752044, D1043666 …

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