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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. IBM Ends Patent Lawsuit Against Take-Two Interactive: IBM withdrew its lawsuit accusing Take-Two of infringing internet-related patents used in games like NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto. The dismissal was with prejudice, preventing IBM from refiling the claims.

2. Qualcomm Claims Victory in Legal Battle with Arm: In a U.S. jury trial, Qualcomm prevailed on key issues against Arm regarding its acquisition of Nuvia, a chip startup. The jury found Qualcomm did not breach Nuvia's license with Arm, though a retrial is sought on unresolved aspects.

3. Artificial Intelligence Litigation Expected to Rise in 2025: Experts predict an increase in AI-related legal disputes, including issues of copyright infringement, AI bias, and antitrust violations involving AI tools. Notable cases include the U.S. Justice Department's lawsuit against RealPage for alleged rent price collusion via AI algorithms.

4. New Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) Patent Campaigns: December saw a surge in patent infringement complaints filed by Gamehancement LLC, associated with Jeffrey M. Gross, asserting multiple patents across various technologies.

5. Legislative Developments in U.S. Patent Law: The U.S. Congress considered significant bills in 2024 that could alter patent law, including the PREVAIL Act, RESTORE Act, and Patent Eligibility Restoration Act, with potential implications for 2025.

(Adapted from an article that appeared in WSJ)

The LightSpray system not only produces an unusual shoe but eliminates the need to source and stitch together individual pieces of fabric. A sneaker materializes in about three minutes using the technology, a step toward automating an industry that still relies heavily on human labor. In a traditional product you have 200 pairs of hands, in this one you basically have only a few, said Marc Maurer, Ons co-chief executive.

Yet, the $300 price tag raises questions about scalability and mass-market appeal. Despite mixed reactions, including concerns about the durability and fit of its sock-like design, the shoe has proven effective in performance, contributing to On's rapid market growth and positioning as a creative challenger to industry giants like Nike and Adidas.

At Roche's New Jersey facility, Sternbach's penchant for chemical exploration led to the serendipitous discovery of benzodiazepines, a new class of tranquilizers. Librium®, introduced in 1960, and its more famous sibling, Valium®, launched in 1963, became household names for alleviating anxiety and sleep disorders. Valium® was the world's most prescribed drug from 1969 to 1982, suggesting that the 1970s were perhaps more relaxed than we give them credit for.

Sternbach's innovations didn't stop there; his work paved the way for other benzodiazepines like Versed®, Klonopin®, and Dalmane®. Holding 241 patents, his contributions significantly bolstered Roche's status in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite his monumental impact, Sternbach remained modest, viewing chemistry as a passion rather than a path to wealth, famously stating, "I always did just what I wanted to do."

He maintained an office at Roche until 2004, demonstrating that retirement is optional when you love your work. Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005, Sternbach's legacy endures, offering a calming influence in an otherwise restless world.

Remarkably, the Burton process remains a cornerstone of modern petroleum refining — a testament to the idea that some breakthroughs are simply too brilliant to become obsolete, even in a century awash with new technologies.

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

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