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GEN-ERIC Patent News
Tuesday, October 14, 2003

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HEADLINES (patents issued a few hours ago..)
The Way Cool Patent of the Day goes to an
Independent Inventor from Florida for a
Method for evaluating and treating hypertension

The Reason Why I'm Still Single Patent of the Day goes to
R. D. Innovations, Inc. of British Columbia for a
Game for two people in a relationship and method of play
    Index
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NEWS
LeapFrog Sues Mattel's Fisher-Price Unit for Patent Infringement
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,99516,00.html
In a suit filed in Delaware late last week, LeapFrog seeks to stop Mattel unit Fisher-Price from selling PowerTouch Learning System (search), a toy shaping up to be a hot seller for the holiday season. Both Fisher-Price's PowerTouch and LeapFrog's LeapPad Plus Writing made Toy Wishes magazine's "Hot Dozen" list, which predicts the most popular toys for the holiday season. At a joint Toy Industry Association (search) and Toy Wishes event promoting holiday toys Wednesday, Fisher-Price President Neil Friedman said the company did not infringe on LeapFrog's patent.
    Index
Xbox chip maker IPO to proceed despite patent suit
http://www.arnnet.com.au/index.php?id=296924512&fp=2&fpid=1
Scottish microelectronics company, Wolfson Microelectronics, intends to go ahead with its initial public offering (IPO), due to take place this week, despite a patent infringement suit from US competitor, Cirrus Logic. Wolfson and Cirrus Logic both make audio digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that are used in games consoles, STBs (set-top boxes) and other entertainment products. One of Wolfson's major clients is Microsoft, which uses Wolfson audio DACs in its Xbox console. Cirrus Logic DACs are used in Sony's PlayStation. Cirrus Logic announced last Thursday that it had filed a patent infringement suit against Wolfson in the US District Court for the Southern District of California. The suit related to 15 of Wolfson's DACs, which Cirrus Logic said infringed US Patent Numbers 6,492,928 and 6,011,501
    Index
It's Wizards vs. Pokemon as ex-partners square off
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/143467_pokemon11.html
The Pokemon trading card game has entertained more than 30 million children worldwide. But now the companies that helped turn the game into a billion-dollar sensation are fighting like two kids in a sandbox. Renton-based Wizards of the Coast, which until last month was the exclusive manufacturer, distributor and marketer of the cards in North America, Europe and the Middle East, filed a lawsuit last week against Nintendo of America, The Pokemon Co., Pokemon USA and two former executives. Filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, the suit alleges patent infringement, breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortuous interference with a business relationship, unjust enrichment and other claims.
    Index
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PATENTS OF THE DAY

6,632,180

Method for evaluating and treating hypertension

Abstract: The Laragh Method is a novel method useful for evaluating and treating hypertensive patients. The Laragh Method provides a systematic approach for the physician to use volume vasoconstriction information with entry and induced changes in blood pressure and in ambulatory plasma renin levels for the rational selection of treatment tailored to suit each individual hypertensive patient. The Laragh Method provides a systematic and rational approach to drug selection which greatly improves the therapeutic success rate among hypertensive patients and which for the large majority provides long-term blood pressure control with one drug instead of two or two instead of three with each drug rationally targeted to control the renin and/or volume elements in the blood pressure equation.

Index

6,631,904

Game for two people in a relationship and method of play

Abstract: A game to promote communication and understanding between couples. The game involves assigning points to a number of activities to be performed by one person, for example, the man, for the benefit of the second person, the woman. When the man performs an act such as letting the woman sleep in, taking the woman out to dinner, or giving the woman a gift, he is awarded the points assigned to that act. The accumulated points are tracked on a board. Once the points reach a certain level, the man is permitted to redeem the points for a reward such as a night out. The woman is permitted to block the awarding of points temporarily in the event of an extraordinary event such as the man forgetting the woman's birthday or not helping out with household chores.