CATCH BOX - WIRELESS MICROPHONE

Catch Box is a wireless microphone inside a foam cube marketed by a Trick Technologies OY, a European Company.  Catch Box boasts patent pending technology, a patented design and a registered trademark. 

United States patent applications have been filed on the technology for a magnetic interlocking mechanism and an imbedded gyroscope.  The applications have been published as: US2015/289,074 with a priority date of October 14, 2013 and US2016/040,461 with a priority date of August 7, 2014.  Pursuing, patent protection in the United States is rigorous and a review of the United States Patent and Trademark Office shows that both application have not been allowed yet.

Their US Design Patent issued as USD736,186 and protects the cube shape and domed microphone.   

Catch Box is also protected by a trademark US Reg. No. 4,717,010 and can use a Circle R. The trademark registration indicates that it claims priority to a European Community Trademark Application filed October 30, 2012 and that it's first use in commerce was December 10, 2014.   

Prices for Catch Box start at $399.00 USD with a 15% Discount to educators.  

Thanks to Lelde Dalmane of Catch Box for reaching out to us and sharing the above video.  

QBall - Wireless Microphone

QBall - Wireless Microphone

Shark Tank Season 9's, Episode 4 featured Q-Ball.  QBall is a wireless microphone inside a foam ball. You can throw it around classrooms, meetings and presentations.  The ball makes it fun to engage and interact.  Each system costs $179.

One feature is “quiet toss" which shuts the microphone off when the QBall senses it's in motion, which prevents static noise while it's being thrown.  This feature is the subject of a US patent application published as US2016/0345087.  However, the patent application has been struggling with rejections at the patent office.

The QBall is protected by a trademark US  Reg. No. 5,307,986.

I'm picking up a QBall for my son's third grade class and will post a demonstration soon!

 

Why Popular Computer Company Asus Survived the Hasbro Onslaught Over the Name TRANSFORMER PRIME

We're sure you saw it coming. It was back in 2011 when Asus sought to launch their next innovative edition of transforming tablets into laptops, coming out with something called the "Transformer Prime." We know what you're thinking now -- it reminds you of those talking, fighting robots!

The Funny Thing Is Despite Hasbro's Aggressive Attempt to Protect Their Brand, the Toymaker Ended Up Losing

Here's what you have to understand: first off, Asus is not in the same industry as Hasbro. However, without a doubt, you end up thinking that this tablet belonged in the home office of one Optimus when he's not shelling out damage to Decepticons. The thing is, while Hasbro does have a point, and there can be confusion as to whether or not Hasbro endorsed Asus's product, it still doesn't constitute a violation of trademark, patent or copyright law.

The key to understanding how such a recognizable term as "Transformer Prime," or just transformer or prime couldn't be protected legally is that we're talking about descriptive words here now. What the Asus tablet does is exactly what it's called -- it can transform into a tablet or laptop. Prime typically means top-of-the-line, numero uno, the "very best."

That's why this is a prime example (get it?) of how the name can still be distinguished from one or the other. It's not necessarily unique as they are just words attached to a specific brand.

Don't Get Us Wrong, Though: Asus Got Out of There in a Close Call

For one thing, if they even tried to market the "Transformer Prime" as anything resembling an autobot, or even a decepticon, it would be all over. But they didn't. Asus marketed and launched the product for what it was: a tablet/laptop. Nothing more. The only thing that could possibly be confused between both brands was the name. And by law, most of the time, that's not enough to constitute a violation.