Creepy Dolls to remain creepy afterall

Somehow I missed this a two days ago. I think I need to work on better search terms.

"Mattel Inc. has settled with a former employee that designed the Bratz line of dolls, but will carry on with a suit against the maker of Bratz, MGA Entertainment, according to media reports."

Link to the full article is here.

Apple to initiate shock torture on competitors, possibly waterboard

How the heck did I miss this story on Friday? I know I mostly cover mergers, FCPA, and other high powered litigation, but the IP world also generates its fair share of litigation in the e-Discovery Universe.

From CNNMoney.com:

"Apple Inc. (AAPL) has filed a patent infringement and trademark lawsuit against iPod accessories maker Atico International USA Inc.

Apple is also expected to take legal action soon against Florida-based Psystar Ltd., which sells computers based on Apple's Macintosh software in violation, it's widely suspected, of Apple's software licensing terms.

In the Atico suit, Apple claims Atico's Living Solutions line-up infringes five Apple patents. The allegedly infringing devices include Atico's portable iPod speakers, an AM/FM portable boom box and an AM/FM alarm clock radio with iPod dock."

Patent Attorneys, Hot, and Hotter used in Same Article

IP is really picking up on the patent side.
From the A.E. Feldman Blog:

Patent Attorneys in High Demand

"Intellectual property litigation is hot… and getting hotter. Last year there were an unprecedented number of international patent filings, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). WIPO receives on average more than 400 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications every day, according to Francis Gurry, Deputy Director General. In total, a record 156,100 applications were filed in 2007, representing a 4.7% jump from the year before. The United States led the pack, accounting for 33.5% of all filings. Rounding out the top five is Japan, Germany, Korea and France. And for the fourth year running, WIPO says the most notable growth rates came from countries in Northeast Asia."