Boise Idea Market!

I’m thrilled to announce the Boise Idea Market. It is something I’m putting together with Tac Anderson (TechBoise) and Matt Homann (http://www.realBIGthinking.com). I’m really looking forward to it.

What is an Idea Marketâ„¢? Think brainstorming + collaboration + networking + happy hour. The brain child of innovation consultant, retreat facilitator and conference planner Matt Homann, an Idea Market is part think tank, part focus group and part social club. At the Idea Market, attendees bring their business challenges, questions and (of course) ideas, and share them with some of the most creative and generous people in the community as they participate in fun exercises designed to cram the most innovation into a two-hour collaborative experience.

Who Should Come: If you are a blogger, entrepreneur, speaker, consultant, designer, webmaster, writer, artist, salesperson, or technologist, you’ll enjoy the Boise Idea Market. We only ask that you be passionate about sharing ideas and helping others. Everything else will take care of itself.

When: Friday, June 8, 2007 at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Where: Louie’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant, 620 W Idaho St, Boise, ID 83702-5930

Cost: $10.00 (to cover pizza & soda & tip)

How To Attend: We’ll have room for around 35 people for the Idea Market. We’ll use Renkoo to handle the invite process. Email me (snipper@gmail.com) and I’ll send you an invite.

[update:  I like Renkoo…but I really need less of a “closed meetup of friends” and more of a “here’s a public URL…invite yourself” model.  To wit, we’ve moved the “invite” aspect to Planyp.us.  Click here to view more information:  http://planyp.us/activity/10035574-boise-idea-market]

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Tie Knots

 I might just have to try a “Pratt Knot” for a change.

I recommend that we begin with the Windsor Knot, one of the easiest tie knots to learn, before trying the Half Windsor Knot, the Four in Hand Knot and the Pratt Knot — each and everyone being the best-suited knot for a certain type of shirt collar.

See:  Learn How to Tie a Tie

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Article: Patent Misuse Remedies

Via a reader:

This week on the Northwestern University Law Review Colloquy, Professor David McGowan presents an update to patent misuse remedies…Prof. McGowan argues that the reasoning of the Supreme Court’s opinion in Illinois Tool Works, Inc. v. Independent Ink, Inc. undercuts the reasoning behind the default remedy for patent misuse, which is that the patent in question may not be enforced against any party, not merely against the victim of the alleged misuse, until the misuse ceases and its effects are dissipated.

Because the remedy is not tailored to any probable harm from misuse, courts should take advantage of the Tool Works reasoning to pare back misuse remedies.

The essay can be found here:  http://colloquy.law.northwestern.edu/main/2007/05/what_tool_works.html

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IP-Jobs: EE Opportunity in Boise, Idaho

My Firm is looking for a lateral EE (or the like):

Unique opportunity in Boise, Idaho. Dykas, Shaver & Nipper, LLP, a five attorney, full service IP firm is looking for a lateral transfer with 5 to 10 years experience specializing in electronics. Position is initially “of counsel,” with a fast track to full partnership. DSN is a well respected firm, with a broad based commercial practice, including patent prosecution and litigation. We are not looking for an associate. There is a tremendous, untapped market in electronics in the Boise valley, waiting for the right person to develop as a member of our Firm.

What we’re looking for is someone who is capable, confident, reputable and is a team player. We want someone who works hard, wants to make a good living, but is not driven purely by the almighty dollar and self interest. We want someone who will join our team for the long haul.

Boise is a beautiful place to live, raise a family, make a decent living, and still have a life outside of the office, especially if you like outdoor activities. World class hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing and even sailing within an hour or two of downtown. More information on Boise (for instance: climate, demographics, economy, education, and culture), can be found on the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce’s website and on Boise’s Wikipedia entry. MSN even recently called Boise “the next Tech Boomtown.”

If you are interested in learning more, please e-mail an inquiry to: frank@dykaslaw.com.

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Article: Profiting from an Invention

StartupJournal (WSJ):  How You Can Profit From an Invention

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Green Lawyers

No, not greenhorns, but green as in eco-friendly. Know of any? Matt Homann was wondering if any exist, probably prompted by Dennis “green legal technology” Kennedy.

One program I bought earlier this year, on Tom Mighell’s recommendation was GreenPrint. A slick program that, when you print a document, gives you a pop-up window with thumbnails showing the pages you’re about to print. It then allows you to easily delete blank (or nearly blank) pages from your print job. I bet that little program will save me a toner cartridge and 4 reams of paper a year.

Apparently they have a “green” font you can use that lets you print 15-20% more words on a sheet of paper. With the number of trees lawyers kill a year in draft memos, letters, patent applications, etc…perhaps that isn’t a bad idea.

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Patent Agent Salt Lake City, UT

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Book Recommendation: Patents for Business

I recently had a chance to review a copy of M. Henry Heines’ new book: Patents for Business: The Manager’s Guide to Scope, Strategy, and Due Diligence. I’ve got to admit…I’m impressed.

The book covers everything a business leader needs to know: e.g., due diligence, patentability, claim scope and strategies, claim analysis, identifying prior art, and novelty/nonobviousness. All written in an easy to read, non-legalese manner that puts this book on a list of great gifts for new managers…an introduction to patents.

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My wife said no

Apparently, the CAFC recently found that if the reason you didn’t pay your maintenance fee was that your wife refused to permit you to, that isn’t enough…

As Norm McDonald would say on SNL, “note to self…“

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Better Business Bureau, Phishing and other Security Issues

Apparently someone is mass emailing businesses (including attorneys) with emails that appear to come from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).  These emails allegedly include an attached copy of a Complaint filed with the BBB against the business.  The BBB website notes:

The Better Business Bureau System warns all businesses across the United States and Canada of a spoofing scam using the BBB name and a false BBB e-mail address to entice recipients to access potentially damaging hyperlinks. The attack has NOT affected the computer system of any BBB nor have any of their data been compromised. As with most other phishing attacks, the perpetrators have attempted to pose as a respected business to gain the confidence of phishing victims. The BBB is working with authorities to thwart these malicious attacks.

More info: BBB Security Alerts

Something to remind your staff about…don’t open attachments!

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