Patently permissive; PTO filings up after ruling expands protection for business and Net software

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court let stand a Federal Circuit ruling in State Street Bank & Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, Inc.abolishing two longtime grounds for rejecting software patent applications, a precedent which makes patenting software and developing electronic commerce easier. The case was State Street Bank & Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, Inc. and involved a new structure for mutual funds and a patented computer program calculating the value of those funds.

Computer software industry, Software industry, Intellectual property, Patent law, Patent practice

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The past, present, and future of copyright protection of soundalike recordings

Article Abstract:

The article proposes that copyright can cover soundalike musical recordings. The motivation of the US Court of Appeals for the 2d Circuit's deciding Midler v. Ford Motor Co. on a copyright infringement basis is discussed and the copyright protection of Midler's voice based on the "look and feel" concept associated with computer programming given.

Usage, Protection and preservation, Voices of famous people, Celebrity voices, Parody

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Dollars for downloads; ruling back music companies' rights to royalties for Webcast 'performances.'

Article Abstract:

A case suggesting that record-company owned Internet jukeboxes owe music companies separate royalty payments each time a song is sung in Webcast on demand is discussed. UMG Recordings Inc and its online jukebox company Farm Club Online Inc are the parties to this action. The Music Online Competition Act of 2001 is in Congress.

Online music

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