patent law; — IP News

by Alex Lee, Penn Law ’17

By now, we've all heard the media recount the story of the patent troll. Patent trolls, or non-practice entities (NPE’s), are typically companies that don’t make products, but instead operate by licensing and enforcing patent rights against accused infringers. Since an NPE’s success hinges on its ability to draw profits from litigation and licensing fees, its incentives for filing claims and threatening infringement suits often do not mirror those of companies who are trying to protect their products on the market. Figures from United Patents, an organization whose goal is to reduce NPE litigation, report that 61% of all patent cases in 2014 involved NPE’s. Because litigating these suits costs billions of dollars on the economy each year, many organizations across industries and government see these suits as frivolous and burdensome on innovation. As a result, they are clamoring for changes to the system.

by Thomas Chisena, Penn Law '16

Photo: KFC.

Last month, beloved fast-food restaurant KFC announced that they are unveiling a new product – edible coffee cups, which are set to make their debut in the U.K. this summer. This new innovation, dubbed the “Scoff-ee” cup, was the brainchild of KFC and British “food futurologists,” the Robin Collective. According to KFC’s press release, the cup is formed from a special cookie coated with a paper sugar, and lined with a layer of heat-resistant white chocolate. The white chocolate prevents the cookie from getting soggy and the cup from dissolving. As you sip and savor the coffee, the white chocolate lining slowly melts and adds flavor. Even better – these cups are not just delicious, but are also aromatic. The cups are infused with fragrances of coconut sunscreen, flowers, and freshly cut grass. KFC claims the scents are designed to "evoke the positive memories we associate with warm weather, sunshine and summer holidays."