IP Goes Pop

Join co-hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue on a new episode of "IP Goes Pop!" that will leave you wondering "You can patent that?!". This episode focuses on a variety of curious and/or unusual patents, demonstrating the wide range of ideas that can result in an issued patent. From the surprising to the peculiar, this episode provides an overview of the "usefulness" threshold in United States patent law. "Listeners will learn about existing patents that are as bizarre as they are "useful," and how anyone might have an idea that has "utility" and is therefore worthy of a patent.

The episode begins with a discussion on the United States Patent Act, the cornerstone of patent law in the United States. Michael and Joseph break down some of the Patent Act's key provisions, focusing on the "utility" or "usefulness" requirement for patentability. The hosts then explore a series of unusual patents, each serving as a case study of this requirement.

From a self-inflicted kicking device to an apparatus that allows one to simulate a high-five, to a banana case, listeners will marvel at the odd range of inventions that have been awarded patents. This episode also features patents that highlight the importance of protecting even the simplest of items and serves as a reminder that patent law is not just about groundbreaking technology, but also about practical solutions to everyday problems.

The reach of patent law protection is broader than one might think. This episode of "IP Goes Pop!" is not just an exploration of the quirky side of patents. It's a celebration of human creativity and innovation, demonstrating that no idea is too outlandish or too trivial to be considered for patent protection. Whether you're an IP enthusiast, a pop culture aficionado, or just someone who enjoys the world of the bizarre, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to be entertained, enlightened, and inspired to think outside the box- or perhaps patent the box itself.

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

Links to Patents Mentioned in this episode:

1. "User-operated amusement apparatus for kicking the user's buttocks" US6293874B1
2. "Apparatus for simulating a 'high five'" US5356330A
3. "In-Car Coffee Maker" US5233914A
4. "Graffiti prevention apparatus" US5675318A
5. "Banana Protective Device US6612440B1
6. "Beerbrella" US6637447B2
7. "Safety system for removing rider from vehicle by deploying a parachute" US5593111A
8. "Method of Swinging on a Swing" - US6368227B1
9. "Hypodermic syringes and attachments thereto pleasing to children" US3299891A
10. "Barrier Device for Children" US5255958A

Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue are joined by special guests from the U.S. Copyright Office, Brittany Lamb, Attorney-Advisor in the Office of the General Counsel and John Riley, Assistant General Counsel as they dive into the evolving landscape of providing additional access for certain copyright claims, focusing on the Copyright Claims Board (CCB). Learn how the CCB makes the copyright claim system accessible for more people and why it was created right from the experts who contributed to its development.

The panel examines the purpose, processes, and procedures of the CCB. Listeners will learn about this alternative to litigation in Federal Court for both copyright owners and responders, the qualifications for the CCB tribunal, the types of eligible copyright claims that can be filed with the CCB, and the threshold for damages awarded. Our Copyright Office guests will also guide listeners through topics such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, whether a copyright registration is necessary to file with the CCB and the fees involved in the process.

In plain language, Brittany and John explain the process available to "everyday" copyright owners, many of whom rely on their ability to license or sell their works for a livelihood. Listeners will learn about the options available if a CBB claim is filed against you, including the possibility to opt-out, being able to use Fair Use as a defense, and the overall benefits of the virtual nature of all CCB proceedings.

This considerably expedited process demonstrates early indications of success as a voluntary alternative to Federal Court. Whether you are a copyright holder, content creator, or simply curious about an alternative forum for addressing copyright disputes, this enlightening IP Goes Pop! episode will get you up to speed on the Copyright Claims Board and how it makes copyright claims more accessible for all.

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

Want to learn more about the Copyright Claims Board? Explore the resources provided and approved by the U.S Copyright Office below:

• CCB website homepage: https://ccb.gov/

• Claimant Information Page: https://ccb.gov/claimant/

• Respondent Information Page: https://ccb.gov/respondent/

• eCCB: https://dockets.ccb.gov/

• CCB Handbook: https://ccb.gov/handbook/

FAQs: https://ccb.gov/faq/

In this episode, co-hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue dive into the first part of a series on the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on not only the world, but on copyright, trademarks, and patents. They examine examples of AI in pop culture, including ChatGPT, and how they reflect the broader trends and concerns surrounding AI in our society.

Michael and Joe are joined by fellow Volpe Koenig Shareholder and IP attorney, Jay Halt, to help navigate the complex landscape surrounding AI. Specifically, they examine the role of ChatGPT, an advanced AI model developed by OpenAI, and its potential impact on intellectual property, industry, and human-machine interfacing.

One of the significant questions that arise is who owns the authorship of works created by AI systems. For example, if an AI system generates lines of code or writes a novel, who holds the copyright? Is it the person or company that created the model, the user who inputs the prompt, or the AI model itself? This issue is even more complicated when considering the ownership of data sets that the AI is trained on or the ownership of inputs given to AI systems.

This episode offers insights into the latest developments and provides a thought-provoking analysis of what it all means for the future of AI, humanity, and the law. In addition to the IP implications, the panel explores the broader influence of AI on the future of work and the economy, as well as the importance of staying informed about the rapidly evolving AI landscape. So, tune in to learn more about the legal and social implications of AI and its impact on intellectual property. This entertaining and thought-provoking discussion will give listeners a deeper appreciation of these complex issues.

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter, and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

Who holds the patent on gravity? Who collects the royalties for the speed of light? In this episode of IP Goes Pop!, Volpe Koenig Shareholders and podcasts hosts, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue, explore what intellectual property (trade secrets, trademarks, patents and copyrights) cannot protect. Hint- some things excluded from IP protection include the Laws of Nature such as gravity, the speed of light and even Einstein's theory of relativity E=MC2. Abstract ideas are another. But what other "can't"s stand between you, your idea, and protections for it?

To set the table, this episode begins with a pop culture journey through famous "Can't" songs and movies. Moving into the intellectual property segment of the show your hosts explore the question 'Why can't intellectual property rights protect everything?'

In this episode, you will learn some nuances of intellectual property law such as legal reverse engineering and proper vs. improper means of acquiring a trade secret. Michael and Joe break down some of the reasons why some ideas may be better suited for trademark, patent, or copyright protection instead of trade secret protection. If you've ever wanted to know what you can and cannot do in the IP world, this episode is for you!

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

Timestamps:

02:43 "Can't" Albums & Songs

06:30 "Can't" Movies

09:11 Trade Secrets "Can't"s….

19:35 Patents "Can't"s…

26:29 Trademarks "Can't"s…

30:08 Copyright "Can't"s…

32:51 Final Thoughts

IP Goes Pop! is back with its second annual Spooktacular! In this episode, things get much spookier as we pit the top four Halloween Monsters against each other. Listen in for a breakdown of these famous characters and archetypes.

Play along as your co-hosts, Volpe Koenig Shareholders, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue rank Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein's Monster, Werewolves, and Mummies. What powers or abilities do they have that set them apart from each other? What movie or television show made them Halloween staples, and do these movies stand the test of time?

Find out who rates highest on the jack-o-lantern meter to be crowned the spookiest monster of Halloween. And gain valuable insights into the methods and tools needed to protect yourself from these scary creatures on the night of the big 3-1.

Of course, no episode of IP Goes Pop! is complete without looking at related intellectual property cases, inventions, or trademarks, and this episode is no exception. You'll learn how the courts have established precedents for what makes a mask protectable under copyright law or what prevents them from gaining copyright protections. You'll also hear how your favorite pop-up Halloween stores can sell costumes with characters with names like Hermione Grinder, Juice Demon, or Video Game Guy without going out of business under a pile of lawsuits.

Michael and Joe cover three cases, each having to do with Halloween masks or costumes from famous movies--one with an NBA player and another with a famous yellow fruit. They address the question of what makes something a useful article under copyright law and how the law draws the line between creative works versus things with pure utility, such as a light switch or lamp.

So grab the candy you've opened early (or hidden from your kids) and join your go-to pop-culture attorneys, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue, for the spookiest Halloween special yet!

We take Halloween seriously here at IP Goes Pop!, so full-sized candy bars only! You may also want to turn on your fog machine and light a candle in your carved-up pumpkin for this one.

Timestamps and Starting Points:

02:39 - First Halloween Spooktacular Recap

03:45 - Ranking the Top Four Halloween Monsters

16:17 - Intellectual Property Laws of Halloween Mask - Are they Protectable

20:41 - Apparel and Costumes – Utility vs. Copyright

30:03 - Parody Costumes

34:05 - Final Halloween Thoughts

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

In this episode, IP Goes Pop! co-hosts and Volpe Koenig shareholders, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue take you through their first round of pop culture "game-changers." That is, who were the people, artists, or innovators where the world was never the same after them?

Michael and Joe set the table with their choices for iconic pop-culture game changers in basketball, music fandoms, special effects, TV shows, and stand-up comedy. These were legends that helped redefine their crafts. This episode then takes us further back into patent history than IP Goes Pop! has ever gone before.

Michael and Joe dig deep into the patent archives and pull out some exceptional early inventions that are still relevant now. You will hear the story of each inventor, the background of their invention, and how their innovations impacted the larger culture.

This episode may inspire a listener to put an idea into practice that could end up making everyone's life better or easier. The next game-changing invention could be just around the corner of curiosity and problem-solving.

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

Co-hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue are joined by fellow intellectual property attorney and Volpe Koenig Shareholder, Randy Huis, to once again visit the town of Springfield in the fictional, but full of real fun, world of The Simpsons.

Explore eight popular inventions concocted by Professor Frink and their real-world manifestations, or possibly inspirations. From the sports betting apps now flooding the airways with commercials to acid shooting projectiles, the line between fiction and reality may be thinner than you think. If you've ever thought something as outrageous as a "Sarcasm Detector," made by a yellow cartoon character, could become a reality, then this episode will have you asking "is there a patent for that?"

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

Virtually visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for an inside look at the many available resources, World Intellectual Property (IP) Day, and how inventors of any age can bring their ideas into the world. Join podcast co-hosts, Volpe Koenig Shareholders, and intellectual property lawyers, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue for a conversation with USPTO Regional Outreach Director, Elizabeth Dougherty.

Elizabeth provides a general overview of what functions the USPTO provides in American life and talks about her role in educating a wide variety of inventors. The panel explores famous movies involving young inventors in fictional worlds before delving into the many real-life ways the USPTO enables everyone to gather information about the patent and trademark filing processes and protections.

Elizabeth makes it clear that the USPTO works to make IP protections accessible to everyone, no matter who they might be or where they might be from.

Elizabeth walks Michael and Joe through the new inventor journey, describing how the USPTO can help in the invention process. From dedicated resources for students, teachers, and children on the USPTO website, to the often-underutilized Pro Bono and Law School Clinic Programs, you may be surprised to hear everything the USPTO has to offer.

Links Mentioned:

1. World IP Day
2. USPTO Website
3. Council for Inclusive Innovation
4. Patent Basics
5. Patents Demystified
6. Learning and Resources
7. USTPO Students Program
8. USPTO Kids
9. Inventor Trading Cards
10. National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum
11. Inventor Pro Bono Program
12. Law School Clinic Program
13. USTPO in your Region
14. Animated history of first 10 Million Patents

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

This episode covers the basics of what is involved in licensing intellectual property rights and character rights from one medium, studio, or universe into another. Volpe Koenig intellectual property attorneys and IP Goes Pop! co-hosts, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue cover the intellectual property rights involved in pop-culture crossovers that allow fans to see their beloved characters, from different worlds, interact.

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.

IP Goes POP! takes you out to the ball game (and the blockchain) for this episode of the podcast that looks at the shift from "collectible trading cards" to "collectable NFTs".

Podcast co-hosts, Volpe Koenig Shareholders, and intellectual property lawyers, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue round the bases and pull out their most memorable sports cards as they slide home to talk about the intellectual property (IP) of baseball cards, collecting, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Our panel discusses the basics of what an NFT is and how this blockchain technology is shaping the future of the analog trading card business.

How can digital assets that live in a world of seeming abundance compete in value with the scarcity of cards you can touch, trade by hand, and (if you're unlucky) damage?

As the technologies used for collectibles shifts, so do the IP laws that cover any new frontier.

Links Mentioned:

1. High-value baseball cards
2. First Sale Doctrine
3. Right of Publicity Laws
4. NBA Top Shot NFTs
5. Crypto Punks

For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.

You can stay connected with us on Facebook, Linkedin or Twitter and Instagram using the handle @volpeandkoenig.