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Among 57 patents issued this week to Apple, one involves techniques for creating a location fingerprint within a venue. While GPS is a common feature to any mobile device, when enclosed within a structure, the signal may be outside of the line of sight with GPS satellites, resulting in a greater margin for error. The new technology, known as indoor location mapping, distinguishes itself through its ability to generate a location map inside a building or tunnel. Apple’s iOS 11 harnesses this invention and Apple Maps is now supported at major malls and airports around the world. Through this technology,…

Wrigley, well known for their assortment of chewing gums, has filed suit to enforce their intellectual property rights in the JUICY FRUIT mark. In a trademark infringement action brought in the US District Court of the Northern District of Illinois this past Friday, Wrigley accused the owner of an electronic cigarette company selling Juicy Fruit e-liquids of violating their registered United States Trademarks. Mohammed Ghatala, owner of Dreamecore Enterprise, failed to reply to two cease-and-desist letters from the American gum maker and could now face injunctive action and a recall of the allegedly infringing products. Just last year, Wrigley sued…

In-N-Out v. Smashburger. In a lawsuit filed on August 30th, In-N-Out has accused the fast food chain Smashburger of causing consumer confusion with their latest advertising campaign. In-N-Out has a number of registered marks the most relevant being DOUBLE-DOUBLE, TRIPLE TRIPLE, and 2 X 2. The action, filed in the Central District of California, alleges that these marks are being infringed by Smashburger’s advertisements promoting the SMASHBURGER TRIPLE DOUBLE. Smashburger filed for their own trademark in November of last year. The Examining Attorney approved but that application is currently being opposed by In-N-Out as well. #burgers #trademarks #InNOut #Smashburger #omnilegalgroup

The leader of one of the most notorious trademark scams in recent years has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for sending out thousands of solicitations designed to confuse recipients into thinking they were official government documents.  Artashes Darbinyan, a Glendale resident, defrauded unsuspecting trademark applicant’s out of at least $1.6 million dollars for “trademark monitoring services” that were never rendered. Sadly, this practice is not uncommon. Because trademark applications are so readily accessible online, there are numerous companies, which “troll” the trademark applications database and send solicitation letters for services related to trademarks. These letters should be taken…

Motorola files patent application for a phone that can repair its own screen. The application details a method and device for detecting fascia damage and repairing it. How it would work is by way of thermal elements imbedded within the screen itself that, when activated, would heat up and repair the cracked surface. Modern electronic devices comprise ever-increasing screen sizes, which are prone to damage when dropped. As part of the repair process, an application within the phone would be used to assess the damage prior to initiating a repair. That patent also discusses a docking station that would charge…

Tesla has patented a device that can improve EV battery safety after a collision. The safety of lithium-ion batteries in the event of a collision is frequently called into question, but Tesla is hoping to quell these concerns with their special “pyrotechnic disconnect” safety device. The patent states that their pyrotechnic disconnect can quickly sever all electrical connections between their battery pack and motors, which will reduce the risk of harm to occupants after an accident. This disconnect would need to interrupt a very large current using a housing with a combustion chamber inside and a pyrotechnic charge within. It’s…