Intellectual Property News - 1998

Music and Technology Companies Join to Develop Means to Protect Copyrighted Music. (12/16/98) Representatives of the recording industry announced a "Secure Digital Music Initiative" (SDMI) at a press conference in New York on Tuesday, December 15. The purposes of the initiative are to promote Internet distribution of music, and to protect copyrighted music in digital format from theft.

Appeals Court Hears Argument in Intel v. Intergraph. (12/12/98) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit heard oral argument on Wednesday, December 9, in the antitrust action brought by workstation maker Intergraph against chipmaker Intel. Intel has appealed the April 10, 1998, preliminary injunction issued by Judge Nelson.

Hearing in Intel Antitrust Case Set for February. (12/9/98) The administrative hearing in the FTC's antitrust action against Intel is schuduled to begin on February 23, 1999, in Washington DC, and could last for six weeks. FTC Administrative Law Judge James Timony is presiding.

Judge Whyte Issues Preliminary Injunction in Sun Suit. (11/18/98) U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Whyte issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, November 17, in the suit brought by Sun Microsystems against Microsoft regarding Microsoft's Java products.

Intergraph Files Response to Intel's Appeal. (7/21/98) On Monday Intergraph filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit its brief in response to Intel's brief in support of its appeal of the preliminary injunction issued against it by the U.S. District Court.  Workstation maker Intergraph sued chipmaker Intel last year on a wide range of legal theories, including anticompetitive behavior, patent infringement, and antitrust violations of the Sherman Act.

Intel Answers FTC Antitrust Complaint. (7/14/98) Intel filed its Answer to the Federal Trade Commission's administrative antitrust Complaint on Monday. Chip maker Intel denied that it has monopolized any market, that it has used any unfair methods of competition, or that it has violated any laws.

PTO to Put Patent & Trademark Data on Internet. (6/26/98) The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will soon make available over 20 million pages of patent and trademark information on the Internet.

Database Protection Bill Passes House. (5/21/98) The Collections of Information Antipiracy Act (HR 2652) passed the House by a voice vote on Tuesday.  This bill, which would increase the protections afforded to people who build databases, has not yet been taken up in the Senate.

Sun Seeks Injunction of Windows 98. (5/13/98) Sun Microsystems filed two motions in the U.S. District Court in San Jose which is hearing its Java suit against Microsoft.  Sun says that the motions seek to enjoin Microsoft from distributing Windows 98.  The contents of the motions are not widely known -- they were filed under seal.

FTC and Digital Agree On Alpha Chip Settlement. (4/27/98) The Federal Trade Commission agreed with Digital Equipment Corp. to approve Intel's and Digital's settlement of patent infringement lawsuits over the high speed, slow sale, 64 bit Alpha chip technology.  However, Digital must license Alpha technology to AMD and Samsung, or other companies.  See, Complete Text of FTC Agreement with Digital.

Microsoft Enjoined from Using Java Compatible Logo. (3/25/98) Federal District Court Judge Ronald Whyte issued a Preliminary Injunction on Tuesday, March 24, in the suit Sun Microsystems v. Microsoft. The order bars Microsoft from using the Java Compatible Logo on its Internet Explorer 4.0 and Java development software. The ruling is a victory for Sun in its bid to retain control over the Java platform, and to keep it from fragmenting. Microsoft is not barred from selling any software products.

House Judiciary Committee Approves HR 2652. (3/25/98) The House Judiciary Committee approved with several minor and technical amendments the Collections of Information Anti-Piracy Act.  This database protection bill passed by voice vote without objection.

PTO Seen as Cash Cow for Other Federal Programs. (3/19/98) The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which will bring in $116 million more in user fees than it spends on its operations in FY99, was labeled a cash cow for other federal programs at an oversight hearing today held by the House Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

Subcommittee OKs Amended Database Bill. (3/18/98) An amended version of the Collections of Data Anti Piracy Act (HR 2652) was approved by the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property today.  The bill was amended to accomodate some concerns of libraries, universities, and non profits, and was passed by voice vote without objection.

Patent & Trademark Office FY 99 Budget Hearing. (3/11/98) The House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State held hearings today which included testimony from Patent and Trademark Office Commissioner Bruce Lehman on the Fiscal Year 1999 budget.

Dickinson Named Deputy Commissioner of PTO. (2/26/98) The President today announced his intent to nominate Q. Todd Dickinson as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) at the Department of Commerce.

Hearing on Database Protection Bill. (2/12/98) The Courts and Intellectual Property Subcommittee of the House Judiciary held a hearing again today on several pending bills, including HR 2652, the Collections of Information Anti-Piracy Act.  Chairman Howard Coble (R-NC) gave several opponents of his bill the opportunity testify regarding their objections.