intellectual property

The Hidden Prices We Pay for Genetically Modified Seeds

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Monsanto can control how farmers use its genetically-modified soybean seeds. Here's why those little beans are a big deal to you.

Supreme Court Considers Patents on Human Genes

The question before the Court today is whether a company can claim human DNA as intellectual property. Billions of dollars and millions of lives could be at stake.

Hollywood, Homeland Security Double Up Video Piracy Warnings

If you thought the unskippable FBI warning about piracy included on every DVD was annoying before, prepare for an additional pre-roll message, brought to you by Homeland Security.

Could a Fake Coach Purse Land You in Jail? Faux Fighters Target Consumers

That bootleg Louis Vuitton bag you proudly dangle from your arm? Someday soon, it could get you fined, or worse, thrown in jail. Anti-counterfeiting crusaders' new campaigns are designed to shame and scare shoppers out of buying fakes.

Facebook to Buy AOL Patents from Microsoft

Microsoft, which just bought patents from AOL for $1 billion, is now turning around and selling most of them to Facebook for $550 million.

Apple, Ikea Stores: The Ultimate Knockoffs?

Knockoff bags and watches from China are one thing. But the news that whole Apple, Ikea and Disney stores have been faked -- even to the point of duping the employees, in one case -- has shocked many Americans. Why is the U.S. obsessed with Chinese fakes?

Could Samsung Suit Leave U.S. Without iPads and iPhones?

The intellectual property battle between Samsung and Apple has grown a bit more serious: Samsung has asked the U.S. International Trade Commission to block the importation of iPads, iPhones, and iPods into the United States for patent violations. It's not a hollow threat.

Cheap Knockoffs Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

We all know that buying a fake Fendi is "bad" to the degree that selling such goods is illegal, and they hurt the companies whose good are being copied, and the economy overall. But it turns out that knockoffs are problematic in many other ways as well: Buying them can put your health and your money at risk.

White House Outlines a Global Plan for Cyberspace

The Obama administration laid out plans Monday to work aggressively with other nations to make the Internet more secure, enable law enforcement to work closely on cybercrime and ensure that citizens everywhere have the freedom to express themselves online.

Russia or China: Which Country Is More Hazardous for Investors?

You can put new clothes on formerly communist nations, but it's hard to change what's under their skin. Don't be fooled: Both Russia and China have really awful bones. So before investing in either one, know the risks that lurk below the surface.

Sony Accuses LG Electronics of Patent Infringement

In a complaint to the U.S. International Trade Commission, Sony has accused rival LG Electronics of infringing on seven of its patents, including one for photo-based caller ID technology.

New U.S. Trade Deals With China

Two days of talks with a high-level delegation from China produced results that should benefit U.S. companies ranging from manufacturers of computer software and wind turbines to beef producers.

Paul Allen's Patent-Licensing Firm Dealt Blow in IP Lawsuit

A patent lawsuit brought by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen against Apple, Google, and Yahoo, among others, has been dismissed. The judge found the suit, which failed to specify the products or devices that infringed on patents from Allen's company, too vague.

Programmer Convicted of Stealing Trade Secrets from Goldman Sachs

A former Goldman Sachs computer programmer has been convicted of stealing trade secrets and property in an effort to help a Chicago-based startup develop its own high-frequency securities trading operations.

Online Buyer Beware: Cyber-Fraud Is Getting Slicker

As more Americans shop online for the holidays, they're falling prey to increasingly sophisticated scams. In response, on Cyber Monday, the Justice Department busted 82 sites for allegedly selling counterfeit and pirated goods, but more crooks are out there.

Oracle's Patent War with Google Could Backfire

A few months ago, Oracle rocked the Internet world by suing Google for patent infringement based on the Android mobile operating system's use of Java. Now, Google has laid out its defenses, and its countersuit might well invalidate Oracle's Java patents altogether.

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison Testifies Against SAP

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison testified that rival SAP owes his company $4 billion for stealing intellectual property. SAP has admitted that its now-defunct subsidiary, TomorrowNow, stole customer-support documents from Oracle -- but contends that it only owes about $40 million.

Apple Appeals $625.5 Million Patent-Infringement Verdict

Apple faces one of the largest ever patent-infringement verdicts if a jury award of $625.5 million is upheld. The company is appealing after being found guilty of violating three patents owned by small tech company Mirror Worlds.

Pork Industry Sends Cease and Desist Letter Over Unicorn Meat

The National Pork Board sent a cease and desist letter to a web site that's marketing unicorn meat as 'the new white meat' - a slogan similar to the industry's own. The NPB has made it clear it has some legal prowess, but does it have a sense of humor?

Four Trends That Will Dramatically Change China

The financial media's coverage of China tends to focus on trade-related topics, but China is undergoing deep cultural shifts that will significantly alter its economic landscape. These four long-term trends could drastically change China -- and its relationship with the world.