http://www.economist.com/node/21548135

The article argues that entrepreneurship is not just for young tech nerds in California. Rather, entrepreneurs should take a lesson from all those old time rockers who are still producing new music well into their 70s. Even though age plays a major role in entrepreneurship, because young people are likely to take on more risk, it does not mean that our older population should stop trying because experience is a major advantage in starting a new business. For example, Ray Kroc started McDonalds in his 50s. Interesting read and gives us all hope that maybe years after being a lawyer we may start a new successful business.

Fundrise CEO Ben Miller: New Reg A+ is a “Goldilocks” Change in Regulatory Environment

Article on how the new regulatory scheme has been fairly successful but also puts forward some good suggestions for how to clear up some of the existing ambiguities to encourage greater participation in the crowdfunding marketplace.

http://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2016/03/83688-reg-a-a-successful-first-year-despite-regulatory-ambiguities/

Here is a silly article with a couple amusing trademark attempts I think you might enjoy. However, it also gives you a feel for the variety of claims that people think they can make.

http://www.businessinsider.com/15-ridiculous-trademarking-attempts-2011-4?op=1

“It’s basically the same people doing the same things all over again, only more intensely,” says Brian Reynolds, chief market strategist at Rosenblatt Securities. “In the long term we should be worried.”

Beware: Wall St. debt re-packaging machine is back

This recent WSJ article looks at new companies who are hoping to take people to space. However, how will these American companies compete with Russia and China with regards to any IP issues? Although the article does not discuss IP issues i find it interesting to read the piece and examine how companies may expand to space while still complying with international IP laws.

 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-giant-lunar-leap-for-private-enterprise-1460070797

Alice Corp. Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank Int’l, 134 S. Ct. 2347 (U.S. 2014)

Case applying the Mayo two-step test to abstract ideas (rather than just laws of nature). This means the Mayo test applies in the realm of things like software, computer algorithms, etc. The impact of this is that lots of software claims are currently being struck down at the motion to dismiss stage (which means they are being dismissed based on no evidence, just based on judge intuition).

Good article presenting arguments on both sides of the issue.

How Intellectual Property Can Help or Hinder Innovation

This article provides an overview of the lawsuit brought by Apply against Samsung for patent infringement. The case will be reviewed by the Supreme Court in its current term. Unfortunately, the Court will not be reviewing one of the more notorious issues: whether ” jurors were wrongly allowed to find Samsung liable for design infringement because its phones, like Apple’s, had rectangular shapes, rounded corners and flat screens with grids of icons.”

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/point-to-samsung-in-smartphone-patent-war-with-apple/news-story/594c42492c3d54bf0243cb372f879535

The author argues that the quick rate of innovation has made patents, especially for software, obsolete. In particular, he points out that by the time the patent application has been approved (considering the backlog), it has lost its innovative value.

Ending patent wars will be a huge boon to the tech industry