WIPO Looking at Global Access to Safe Drinking Water
The World Intellectual Property Organization has waded into the global debates over access to safe drinking water, with an upcoming workshop on patents and water purification technologies. The workshop on 22 March will be called, “The Role of Patent Information in Supporting Sustainable Access to Safe Drinking Water – Presentation of Patent Landscape Reports on ‘Water Desalination Technologies and the Use of Alternative Energies for Desalination’ and on ‘Water Treatment/Purification Technologies’.” It will be held in conjunction with World Water Day 2012, in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Global Institute for Water Environment and Health (GIWEH). The program is available here. Information about WIPO’s work on patent landscapes is here. (via Intellectual Property Watch)
What About Human Trafficking in our own Backyards?
Did you know that the average age of child sex trafficking victims is 12 years of age? By age 16 or 17, they are considered old, used and unwanted. By age 18 they are told they better find another job, but by then they don’t have any options. The hardest piece of dealing with these girls that fall “victim” to domestic minor sex trafficking is that they don’t see themselves as victims. What exactly is Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) and how does it differ from Human Trafficking? DMST is the prostitution of minors that occurs within the US borders. It involves American citizens participating in modern-day slavery, on US soil. What can you do? Get aware and get involved. See Shared Hope Intl. (via Intent Blog)
Munch Cards with this App
LinkedIn offers a phone app called CardMunch that allows you to enter business card info using your LinkedIn login. Basically, you take a picture of a business card from within the app and the information is transcribed by CardMunch and entered as a contact on the app. You can then add the contact to your iPhone address book or click on another icon to connect on LinkedIn. With another click, you can email the contact directly or forward her contact information elsewhere. This is a free app for managing business card clutter. (via Legal Productivity)
ABC World Diaper News
The final story on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer on March 14, 2012 involved the diaper patents of Marion O’Brien Donovan, although Donovan was not explicitly named. Donovan revolutionized the infant care industry by inventing the prototype of the disposable diaper. Donovan’s first breakthrough, in 1946, was to design a waterproof diaper cover made from shower curtains. The final product, available in 1949, was made of nylon parachute cloth, and featured metal and plastic snaps instead of safety pins..Donovan called her diaper the “Boater”. After much experimentation, Donovan later designed a composition of sturdy, absorbent paper that did the job just as well. (via IPBiz)
IPBiz For Sale
Speaking of IPBiz, their website (ipbiz.com) is reportedly up for sale. The website is run by Lawrence Ebert, a patent lawyer located in central New Jersey. The minimum offer is listed as $250.00 with a Buy It Now option for $35,000.00. See more at the web site afternic.com.
