P-R

Patent Reform Act suffers serious setback, stalled in Senate

The US Senate has been considering some major changes to the US patent system, but opposition to some provisions in the complex legislation has apparently derailed the effort, at least temporarily. The Senate version of the Patent Reform Act (S1145) has been taken off the schedule, meaning it will not be considered by the full Senate any time in the near future. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be revived at a future date, but the bill seems to have drawn some opposition at nearly every step of the way, so its passage will likely remain a challenge.

As we discussed in our detailed analysis of the bill, the US patent system is in some dire need of modernization and other changes. The most obvious problems are in the area of damages, where rulings have held companies liable for damages that, when trebled due to “willful” infringement, can be crippling. But there are other problems as well. The US patent system doesn’t always align well with those used by our major trading partners, and has a tendency to grant patents on basic ideas, such as software techniques and business practices. The process for getting a patent overturned is also cumbersome, and has increasingly forced the court system to set standards for patents.

Details Here: arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080505-patent-reform-act-suffers-serious-setback-stalled-in-senate.html

first published week of:   05/05/2008

Plainfield to expand online communication

Plainfield [IL] plans to expand its virtual presence this year -- and continue to add options as the village’s Web site grows in popularity.

The future of Plainfield’s online communications could include trustee blogs, text messages and searchable maps of the community.

Some new features scheduled to launch within the next year include a community calendar, the ability to search the village’s Web site and an expanded E-News e-mail list.

Amy DeBoni, the village’s community relations director, said the number of visitors clicking on the village’s Web site has been growing.

Details Here: www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/971399,4_1_JO27_PWEB_S1.article

first published week of:   06/02/2008

Portland, OR, Chief Technology Officer Appointed

Kenneth L. Rust, the City of Portland’s Chief Administrative Officer announced the appointment of Mark Greinke as the city's new Chief Technology Officer following a west coast search with 120 applications for the position. Greinke has been with the city for over three years first serving as the Portland’s Information Security Manager and most recently as the Interim Chief Technology Officer.

“I’m extremely pleased with Mark's appointment,” said Mayor Tom Potter. “Mark has a keen sense of the challenges facing the City. We are fortunate to have Mark as part of the OMF Team.”

Greinke joined the City following 11 years with Intel Corporation, in Hillsboro Oregon where he lead technology initiatives to move many of Intel’s businesses processes from paper to online transactions as well as the automation of Intel’s latest chip factories.

Details Here: www.govtech.com/gt/articles/265714?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=link

first published week of:   02/18/2008

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