Patent Newz Box – July 20,2017

New Zealand shifts into the fast lane for patent prosecution by joining Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH)

THE NATIONAL LAW REVIEW | July 07, 2017
New Zealand has joined the Global Patent Prosecution Highway (GPPH) pilot programme. It is now possible to request accelerated examination of a New Zealand patent application based on the allowance of at least one claim of a corresponding application in another GPPH office known as the Office of Earlier Examination (OEE).

Leading innovators Vodafone, Panasonic and Sharp join Avanci Licensing Platform

Business Wire | July 12, 2017
Avanci announced that Vodafone, Panasonic and Sharp will license their patents through the Avanci licensing platform for Internet of Things products, initially focusing on connected cars and smart meters. “Adding Vodafone, Panasonic and Sharp builds on our vision of a one-stop licensing platform, allowing faster time to market, reduced risk and simplicity,” said Kasim Alfalahi, founder and chief executive officer of Avanci.

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet drops three of four patent claims in its case against Uber

IPWatchdog | July 11, 2017
A joint stipulation and order were entered that dropped three claims of patent infringement raised in the intellectual property case being fought between San Francisco, CA-based transportation company Uber Technologies and Waymo, one of the subsidiaries of Google-owner Alphabet Inc.

Federal Supreme Court in Germany rejects an appeal by Shionogi against a compulsory patent license order

Out-Law.com | July 12, 2017
It was legitimate for a judge in Germany to require the owner of a European patent for a drug compound to allow a major pharmaceutical company to make use of its patent to provide medicines to patients with HIV. Granting of compulsory patent licenses is extremely rare in Germany, with only one previous case known to have arisen where such a license was granted by the courts, although it was subsequently overturned on appeal.

Ford Patents A Hideaway Bike Carrier For Cars

FORDAUTHORITY | July 13, 2017
There is no perfect system for transporting bikes using one’s car. Pickup owners can simply lay them in the bed, and those with larger SUV models can stick them in back, but car owners really only have imperfect solutions available to them. Thanks to a recent Ford patent for a new type of hideaway bike carrier.

Google’s patent on Project Loon canceled by US Patent and Trademark Office

9to5google | July 10, 2017
Project Loon patent has been canceled by the US Patent and Trademark Office after another company succeeded in convincing the agency that it came up with the idea first. Wired reports that a small company called Space Data argued that they came up with the idea first, filing its own application more than a decade before Alpha.

Nokia and Xiaomi sign a partnership deal

FsmNEWS | July 12, 2017
The two companies just signed a collaborative agreement which also includes a multi-year patent agreement. Nokia and Xiaomi will have cross-licensure of both of the companies’ cellular standards crucial patents. Plus, Xiaomi will obtain a definite patent asset from Nokia.

Apple patents a method to polish iPhones using Diamonds

CNBC | July 11, 2017
A patent application US20170066108A1, published in March, shows a smooth, matte ceramic finish for what looks like an iPhone. The patent describes a ceramic surface made from materials including zirconia or sapphire and potentially transparent, blasted at high pressure with a harder substance, such as diamond or sapphire.