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Against Monopoly

defending the right to innovate

Monopoly corrupts. Absolute monopoly corrupts absolutely.





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Using (and Abusing) Trademarks In An Attempt To Monopolize The English Language

"By definition, intellectual property includes the words, images, and sounds that we use to communicate, and the courts are strongly admonished not to 'indulge in the facile assumption that one can forbid particular words without also running a substantial risk of suppressing ideas in the process'."

Wise words indeed. They come courtesy of the Honorable Paul L. Maloney, a U.S. District Judge in Michigan who wrote the above line (partially quoting previous cases) in conjunction with this trademark dispute here [PDF link]:

http://ia600305.us.archive.org/26/items/gov.uscourts.miwd.65061/gov.uscourts.miwd.65061.46.0.pdf


Unfortunately, large segments of the IP legal community haven't gotten the message. Witness this recently filed case here [PDF link]:

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/05/12/Media.pdf


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French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

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French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

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French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

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French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

French firm has patents on using computers to choose medical treatment 1

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