Friday, March 4, 2016

Reuters - Yahoo exploring sale of $1 billion-$3 billion in 'non-core assets': CFO

In Reuters: Yahoo exploring sale of $1 billion-$3 billion in 'non-core assets': CFO

Yahoo hopes to obtain $1-3 billion in a sale of its patents, property and other "non-core assets" rather than spin off its core business. The core businesses have suffered steady decline from competition with Facebook and Google. It is looking at quick sales. Not sure this alone will help turn things around, but Yahoo has had success with patent sales in the past. According to Yahoo CFO Ken Goldman, Yahoo has sold or licensed more than $600 million in patents over the last three years.

Copyright © 2016 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Federal Circuit - Apple v. Samsung - Obviousness

In Apple v. Samsung, the Federal Circuit reversed a jury verdict awarding Apple $119 million and invalidated two Apple's patents for obviousness on February 26, 2016.

The Federal Circuit held the asserted claims of US Patent No. 8,046,721 (slide-to-unlock) and US Patent No. 8,074,172 (automatic spell correction) would have been obvious given: (1) a strong prima facie case of obviousness (claims reciting a predictable use of prior art elements according to established functions), and (2) weak evidence of secondary considerations. For details see pages 14-35 of the opinion.

Copyright © 2016 Robert Moll. All rights reserved.