The Patent - Invention Magazine
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Giovanni Sapere

Norms & Regulation

Recent IP Legal Actions and Regulatory Discussions

In 2024, Nintendo of America commenced copyright infringement proceedings in the United States, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts in the digital realm [source 2]. Concurrently, the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s dispute settlement system faces continued scrutiny, with an update provided by Seun Lari-Williams [source 3]. These developments occur as practitioners and academics prepare to discuss the future of European copyright law at an upcoming online conference in November 2026 [source 1].

Giovanni Sapere

Patents

NAPP Urges PERA Revision; Micron Licenses Netlist Memory Portfolio

The National Association of Patent Practitioners (NAPP) has called for revisions to the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) to refine its language regarding machine-use requirements [IPWatchdog]. This development coincides with Micron Technology's agreement to license Netlist's memory portfolio for $600 million, resolving ongoing litigation between the two companies [IPWatchdog].

Giovanni Sapere

Music

Music Streaming Fraudster Michael Smith Sentenced to 18 Months

American producer Michael Smith has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for an AI-powered music streaming fraud scheme. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which illegally netted him more than $8 million in royalties from streaming services. The verdict aims to deter similar illicit activities within the music industry.

Giovanni Sapere

Patents

AAFA Urges USTR to List U.S. Platforms for Counterfeiting

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has formally requested the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to include major online platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, in its 2026 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy (NML) report. This move aims to enhance the protection of intellectual property and prevent the sale of dangerous counterfeit goods to consumers [IPWatchdog]. The AAFA represents over 1,100 apparel, footwear, and sewn products brands, highlighting the significant impact of counterfeiting on their industry and public safety [IPWatchdog].

Giovanni Sapere

Motors

EU's EV4EU Project Advances Bidirectional EV Charging

The European Union's EV4EU project has concluded its four-year effort, delivering key innovation in electric vehicle charging. This initiative focused on developing bidirectional charging solutions, which allow electric cars to not only draw power from the grid but also feed it back. The project's outcomes aim to enhance the adaptability of power systems by leveraging the energy stored in electric vehicle batteries [Electrive](https://www.electrive.com/2026/10/10/ev4eu-project-advances-bidirectional-charging/).

Giovanni Sapere

Music

Bowie80: A Year-Long Celebration of David Bowie's Legacy

David Bowie, who passed away in 2016, would have celebrated his 80th birthday on January 8, 2027. To honor this milestone, a year-long global celebration, branded as Bowie80, has been announced, commencing this week and extending into 2028 and 2029. This extensive program of events, releases, and collaborations represents an innovative approach to commemorating the artist's enduring legacy and managing his intellectual property [Music Ally](https://musically.com/2026/10/07/david-bowies-80th-birthday-gets-a-year-long-bowie80-celebration/).

Giovanni Sapere

Norms & Regulation

German Supreme Court Raises Bar for Abstract Color Trademarks

The German Supreme Court has recently issued a significant ruling, making it more challenging to obtain trademark protection for abstract color marks based on acquired distinctiveness [The IPKat](http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5574479/posts/default/903164312701155405). This development underscores the evolving landscape of intellectual property law, a theme also explored in a new academic handbook on upcycling [The IPKat](http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5574479/posts/default/2308835532720489033).

Giovanni Sapere

Gadget

Disney+ to Stream Super Bowl LXI and Monday Night Football

Disney+ will stream Super Bowl LXI on February 14, marking a significant expansion of live sports content on the platform. This innovation in content distribution will also include two Monday Night Football games, starting October 26 with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. The initiative aims to make major sporting events accessible to a wider audience, particularly those without traditional network television access [Engadget].

Giovanni Sapere

Patents

WIPO Honors Cities for Innovation; EPO Reports High Patent Quality

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently announced Charleroi, Liverpool, and Shanghai as the inaugural recipients of its "City of Innovation" award, recognizing their dedication to fostering creativity and innovation within their communities. Concurrently, the European Patent Office (EPO) released its Quality dashboard update for the third quarter of 2026, demonstrating continued high standards in its patent granting process.

Giovanni Sapere

Gadget

Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra: Power for AI Developers

Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Laptop Ultra, a new premium laptop designed for artificial intelligence developers and power users. This device, powered by NVIDIA's RTX Spark platform, aims to deliver substantial processing capabilities, including support for up to 128GB of RAM, to handle large AI models. Its design emphasizes quality and performance, positioning it as a robust option in the high-end laptop market [Engadget].

Giovanni Sapere

Gaming

Game Conference MX (GCMX) Highlighted by Game Developer

Game Developer, a prominent platform for game industry professionals, has highlighted the Game Conference MX (GCMX), an event focused on the gaming sector [Game Conference MX (GCMX)](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/events/untitled). This conference provides a venue for discussions and networking within the innovation landscape of game development.

Giovanni Sapere

Gadget

Microsoft's Surface RTX Spark Dev Box for AI Workflows

Microsoft has opened preorders for its Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, a new desktop PC engineered for local artificial intelligence (AI) workflows [Engadget]. Announced in June, the device is now available for developers and engineers, with shipments expected to begin in November. This specialized hardware comes with a premium price tag of $6,000, reflecting its focus on high-performance AI processing [Engadget].

Giovanni Sapere

Norms & Regulation

EPO Board Rules on Claim Ambiguity; Belgian Patent Litigation Reviewed

The European Patent Office (EPO) Board of Appeal recently addressed the issue of claim ambiguity in a case concerning an e-cigarette cartridge, impacting how "added subject-matter" is assessed. Concurrently, a review by the Stibbe IP team summarized significant Belgian patent litigation decisions from mid-2025 to mid-2026, covering topics like injunction liability and cross-border seizure orders.

Giovanni Sapere

Gadget

Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra Targets AI Developers

Microsoft has released comprehensive details about its Surface Laptop Ultra, a new "builder-class PC" designed for developers and AI researchers. Unveiled at an event in San Francisco on October 7, 2026, this flagship notebook aims to deliver high computational performance [Engadget]. Microsoft previously described it as "the most powerful thing we've ever made" [Engadget].

Giovanni Sapere

Medicine

Optogenetics Pioneers Win Nobel Prize for Illuminating the Brain

Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 for their foundational work in optogenetics. This revolutionary technique utilizes light to control nerve cells, offering unprecedented insight into how the brain forms memories, emotions, and behaviors, and paving the way for new treatments for neurological conditions.

Giovanni Sapere