Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 7 of 7
Full-Text Articles in Law
The Myth And Reality Of Dilution, Sandra L. Rierson
The Myth And Reality Of Dilution, Sandra L. Rierson
Duke Law & Technology Review
Statutory dilution claims are traditionally justified on the theory that even non-confusing uses of a famous trademark (or similar mark) can nonetheless minutely dilute the source-identifying capacity of the targeted trademark. This Article challenges that theory. The evidence that this phenomenon occurs is weak and has been subject to substantial empirical challenge. The true foundation for dilution claims lies not in alleged economic harms, but rather the misplaced fiction of corporate personality. We do not require trademark holders to prove actual economic injury in the context of a dilution claim because, at least in the vast majority of cases, there …
The Greatest Book You Will Never Read: Public Access Rights And The Orphan Works Dilemma, Libby Greismann
The Greatest Book You Will Never Read: Public Access Rights And The Orphan Works Dilemma, Libby Greismann
Duke Law & Technology Review
Copyright law aims to promote the dual goals of incentivizing production of literary and artistic works, and promoting public access and free speech. To achieve these goals, Congress has implemented a policy that acknowledges the rights of both the copyright holder and the public, which vest with the fixation of the work. However, as Congressional action has strengthened copyright protection, the rights of the public have been narrowed. Orphan works – works to which the copyright owner cannot be located or identified – present a unique problem, in that achieving free access and use of the works is often impossible. …
Beta-Testing The “Particular Machine”: The Machine-Or-Transformation Test In Peril And Its Impact On Cloud Computing, Richard M. Lee
Beta-Testing The “Particular Machine”: The Machine-Or-Transformation Test In Peril And Its Impact On Cloud Computing, Richard M. Lee
Duke Law & Technology Review
This Issue Brief examines recent cases addressing the patent eligibility of computer-implemented method claims and their implications for the development of cloud computing technologies. Despite the Supreme Court’s refusal to endorse the machine-or-transformation test as the exclusive patent eligibility inquiry, lower courts have continued to invalidate method claims using a stringent “particular machine” requirement alongside the requisite abstract ideas analysis. This Issue Brief argues that 1) post-Bilski v. Kappos cases have failed to elucidate what constitutes a particular machine for computer-implemented methods; 2) in light of substantial variance among Federal Circuit judges’ Section 101 jurisprudence, the application of the particular …
Dmca Safe Harbors And The Future Of New Digital Music Sharing Platforms, Jing Xu
Dmca Safe Harbors And The Future Of New Digital Music Sharing Platforms, Jing Xu
Duke Law & Technology Review
SoundCloud is an online service provider that allows users to upload, share, and download music that they have created. It is an innovative platform for both amateur and established producers and disc jockeys (DJs) to showcase their original tracks and remixes. Unfortunately, it is also a platform that lends itself to widespread copyright infringement. Looking toward potential litigation, several factors ought to be considered by SoundCloud and other similar providers. The Viacom v. YouTube case, decided in the Southern District of New York and now currently on appeal in the Second Circuit, sheds light on the potential liability service providers …
“Less Is More”: New Property Paradigm In The Information Age?, Aarthi S. Anand
“Less Is More”: New Property Paradigm In The Information Age?, Aarthi S. Anand
Duke Law & Technology Review
Before striking down laws increasing copyright’s domain, judges and legislators are asking for evidence that information products will be created even if copyright protection is not provided. The future of Internet technology depends on locating this evidence in time to limit expansive copyright. United States law, however, already protects information products under copyright. Hence, this counterfactual evidence that judges request cannot be generated in the United States. In response to the demand for data, American legal scholars have attempted to mine evidence from open software and other non-commercial endeavors on the Internet. However, these endeavors have been dismissed as exceptions …
Open Source Innovation, Patent Injunctions, And The Public Interest, James Boyle
Open Source Innovation, Patent Injunctions, And The Public Interest, James Boyle
Duke Law & Technology Review
This Article explores the difficulties that high technology markets pose for patent law and, in particular, for patent injunctions. It then outlines the ways in which “open source innovation” is unusually vulnerable to patent injunctions. It argues that courts can recognize this vulnerability, and respond to the particular competitive and innovative benefits of open source innovation, by flexibly applying the Supreme Court’s ruling in eBay v. MercExchange. Having dealt with the lamentable failure of the International Trade Commission to exercise a similar flexibility in its own patent jurisprudence, despite statutory and constitutional provisions that counsel otherwise, the Article concludes with …
The “25% Rule” For Patent Infringement Damages After Uniloc, Roy J. Epstein
The “25% Rule” For Patent Infringement Damages After Uniloc, Roy J. Epstein
Duke Law & Technology Review
The 2011 decision by the Federal Circuit in Uniloc v. Microsoft properly condemned the “25% Rule,” which bases a reasonable royalty on 25% of an infringer’s profits. Nonetheless, at least one proponent of the Rule continues to argue that the Rule is fundamentally valid and should remain in use. This article analyzes the historical development of the Rule, its conceptual basis, its application in actual cases, and relevant insights from other recent Federal Circuit cases. Each analysis shows fundamental problems and contradictions that demonstrate the Rule can never be a reliable patent damages methodology. There is no reason to change …