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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)

• Recommendations

This Week's Patent News:

1. European Union Files WTO Complaint Against China: On January 20, the European Commission lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China. The EU accuses China of setting unfair global royalty rates for EU standard essential patents (SEPs) without patent owners' consent, particularly affecting high-tech sectors like 5G mobile phones. This move aims to protect European companies such as Nokia and Ericsson from being pressured into lowering their rates globally, which allegedly benefits Chinese manufacturers at the expense of European innovations.

2. Gilead Sciences and U.S. Government Settle HIV Drug Patent Dispute: On January 15, Gilead Sciences and the U.S. government reached a settlement over a patent dispute concerning Gilead's HIV prevention drugs, Truvada and Descovy. The settlement follows Gilead's 2023 jury trial victory against the government's patent infringement claims, where the government accused Gilead of not compensating the CDC for its role in discovering Truvada's preventive capabilities.

3. Chinese Battery Giant CATL Sues CALB Over Patent Infringement: On January 17, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), China's leading electric vehicle battery maker, filed a lawsuit against CALB Group for allegedly infringing a patent related to battery modules. CATL is seeking compensation of 60 million yuan (approximately $8.19 million). CALB has denied any infringement and has applied to the China National Intellectual Property Administration to invalidate the patent in question.

4. Unified Patent Court Issues First Injunction: The Unified Patent Court's (UPC) Vienna Local Division issued its first injunction against a Chinese manufacturer for infringing an Austrian innovator's patent related to traffic signals. The court ordered the recall and destruction of the infringing products, marking a significant development in the UPC's enforcement capabilities.

5. Access Advance Launches Video Distribution Patent Pool: Access Advance announced the launch of a new patent pool covering internet streaming, offering the HEVC, VVC, AV1, and VP9 video codecs in a single license. This initiative aims to resolve the increasingly complex issue of video codec licensing in the video streaming market.

6. Nokia and Ericsson Host EU Innovation Summit: Nokia and Ericsson jointly organized an EU innovation summit to highlight concerns over Europe's lagging technology sector compared to China and the U.S. The event emphasized the need for reforms, such as the 5G Security Toolbox, to bolster economic growth and competitiveness.

7. EPO Reaffirms Stance on AI Inventorship: The European Patent Office (EPO) examining division reaffirmed its decision rejecting a patent application that sought to name an artificial intelligence system, DABUS, as an inventor. The EPO concluded that inventors must be natural persons under European patent law, maintaining its position on AI inventorship.

As advances in science and technology accelerate, the line between fiction and reality continues to blur. Here are three striking examples where science fiction has inspired real-world breakthroughs:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

In Isaac Asimov's I, Robot series, AI-powered robots were imagined as essential partners in human society, governed by complex ethical programming. Today, AI is no longer confined to the realm of fiction. Machine learning algorithms now power everything from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to autonomous vehicles and medical diagnostics. While we have yet to reach the level of Asimov’s robots, the increasing sophistication of AI raises many of the ethical questions he foresaw, particularly around autonomy and human-robot interactions.

The Tricorder from Star Trek  

In Star Trek, the tricorder was a handheld device used by doctors to diagnose medical conditions instantly. What was once science fiction is now nearly a reality. Devices like the Scanadu Scout, a medical tricorder-like gadget, can monitor vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and temperature in real-time. Coupled with advancements in telemedicine and wearable health tech, the dream of instant, portable diagnostics is within reach.

Virtual Reality (VR)  

The immersive, computer-generated environments portrayed in films like The Matrix and Ready Player One seemed like far-off fantasies. Yet today, VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive allow users to enter virtual worlds with astonishing realism. VR's potential to revolutionize industries is not just a possibility but a hopeful reality. It's used for surgical training and therapy in healthcare, as well as education and design. What once seemed like the stuff of dystopian novels has become a tool for human advancement.

These examples remind us of the invaluable role of science fiction in inspiring real-world tech. The distance between imagination and invention is often shorter than we think. Science fiction is not only a reflection of human curiosity but also a source of inspiration for those building the future, turning dreams of tomorrow into the realities of today. Let's appreciate the creative minds that have turned science fiction into science fact.

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

Dr. Chaji's academic journey led him to the University of Waterloo, where he earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2008. His research focused on designing large-area electronic systems for AMOLED displays and biomedical imagers, laying the groundwork for his future entrepreneurial ventures.

Under his leadership, VueReal has introduced the MicroSolid Printing™ platform, a groundbreaking technology that enables the efficient and scalable production of microLED displays. This innovation has positioned VueReal as a key player in the display industry, catering to the growing demand for high-performance displays in automotive, wearable devices, and augmented reality applications.

His work continues to influence the trajectory of display technology, ensuring that the future remains bright, and more pixelated.

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While modern ambulances are equipped with life-saving technology, this early version leaned heavily on horsepower—actual horsepower. One can only imagine the patient experience: a bumpy ride, perhaps, but undoubtedly faster than walking.

This patent marks a fascinating moment when medicine met mobility, setting the stage for developing emergency transport systems. It’s a humbling reminder that even the most sophisticated services start with a simple, if somewhat quirky, idea. After all, what’s progress, if not the journey from saddled horses to flashing lights and wheels?

Find Patent Forward Citations

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:

King Faisal University, located in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

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