3 Aug 2013
Wired, one of the preeminent technologically oriented online news sources, has a fascinating article arguing that we need a crowdfunding platform for patents. Writer Samuel Arbesman opens by citing two impressive statistics. One is that every year the citizens of the US spend $40 billion to support technological innovation and research (about two-thirds of this...
31 Jul 2013
I recently visited the annual Orange County Fair for the first time and was very impressed with the array of attractions. Thousands of turkeys barbecued over open flames raising clouds of the essence of summer over the entirety of the fair. A Bubble Roller pool showcased kids zipped up in life sized bubbles and tossed...
26 Jul 2013
Open-source web developer, Ubuntu, has announced a Kickstarter type campaign to fund the development of a new open-source smartphone: the Edge. The project is ambitious, Ubuntu has asked for $32 million in order to develop 40,000 units (a contribution of $600 to the campaign on the first day or $830 on the following days guarantees...
26 Jul 2013
John F. Kennedy, speaking to a stadium full of Americans at Rice University, September 1962: “If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred. The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or...
22 Jul 2013
The New York Times blog has an article by Joseph E. Stiglitz, revisiting the Supreme Court’s decision on gene patents. As he writes in specific relation to the gene patent case, “the case was a battle between those who would privatize good health, making it a privilege to be enjoyed in proportion to wealth, and...
22 Jul 2013
Las Vegas was one of the major American cities to be hit hardest by the global recession of 2008. People aren’t in a hurry to gamble away what little money they have in a depression, and this substantially affected Las Vegas tourism for the past couple of years. However, it seems that the famous city...
22 Jul 2013
“I’ve a superb idea that is going to make us rich!” said John G. Hotchkiss, resident of New Haven, Connecticut, from Staffordshire, England. “Really? And what is that my fine fellow?” remarked his compatriot John A Davenport resident of New York, also from Staffordshire. “Well, the simplicity is the beauty of it. Let’s get a...
22 Jul 2013
One of the most remarkable developments of the past few years has been 3D printing, a system that can literally print a solid object using only a design and some plastic polymers. The applications for such a device are seemingly endless. It can print cheap food for impoverished third world nations and solve world hunger!...
12 Jul 2013
Myriad Genetics, a biotech company, owns patents on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, mutations of which help to increase the risk of certain breast and ovarian cancers. The Association for Molecular Pathology filed a suit against Myriad in 2009, claiming that the genes, which are naturally occurring segments of DNA, are not eligible for a...
12 Jul 2013
Much to my dismay, this article has nothing to do with elves, goblins, or trolls, but an epic legal battle is looming on the horizon, and it may bring new meaning to the oft repeated phrase, “One ring to rule them all”, made famous by celebrated author of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, J.R.R....
10 Jul 2013
Counterfeiting conjures a rather specific image whenever it is brought up in conversation. Most would imagine some thugs hiding out in a dark basement where a heavy machine consistently prints out reams and reams of fake money. While this is the most notable example of counterfeiting, it is hardly the only example; intellectual property has...
9 Jul 2013
Counterfeiting has been a developing topic in the last few years for many reasons. While it use to be that finding counterfeit products meant going through black markets and unsavory characters to reach such tainted goods, today, one need only look to the internet. Whether through eBay, Amazon, or any other website, counterfeit products are...