So, what's really behind the Facebook infringement suit against Phoenix Media, owner of alternative formatted WFNX Boston and the Boston Phoenix newspaper? Is Phoenix really infringing on the social media giant or is this payback for an earlier infringement suit brought by Phoenix Media against Facebook in 2009? That infringement suit against Facebook was based on a patent it holds related to setting up online profile pages. Tele-Publishing Inc, another Phoenix subsidiary, provides online dating services to newspaper and broadcaster websites. Facebook, challenging the validity of that patent, claims that it doesn't use the technology, made the counterclaim of infringement in that case. It was at that time that the District Court judge said Facebook would have to pursue its infringement claim in a separate case...
In this recent suit, Facebook alleges that WFNX and other media outlets of Phoenix Media are using features on their websites that infringe on Facebook patents. Facebook claims that the WFNX online music player, a "band guide" and restaurant search, infringe on the social media giant's patents. At least one patent specialist said that suits like the one Facebook filed against the Phoenix are expected and common, according to RadioWorld. Robert Plotkin, a patent lawyer from Burlington who specializes in patent protection says the suit is a defense measure: "One reason that many companies obtain patents is to use them defensively to bring counterclaims against other parties if they are sued for patent infringements." ...
Since most of us are not infringement lawyers but do appreciate creative websites, WFNX has one worthy of enjoying. It can be accessed by clicking here...
10 Timeline Memories:
1.1775] Semper Fi: The U.S. Marines are organized under authority of the Continental Congress...
2.1871] Dr. Livingstone, I presume?: Journalist-explorer Henry M. Stanley finds missing Scottish missionary David Livingstone in central Africa and delivers his famous greeting: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" to which Livingstone replies: "And you arrrrrre?"...
3.1954] Dedicated to the ones we love: The Iwo Jima Memorial is dedicated in Arlington (VA)...
4.1969] Debuted on this date: 'Sesame Street' on PBS...
5.1975] Down with the ship: The ore-hauling ship Edmund Fitzgerald sinks during a storm in Lake Superior with all 29 crew members on board (leading to the hit by Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" or as one CBS-FM caller asked: "Can you play the 'Wreck of Ella Fitzgerald?")...
6.1980] Cabnapping: CBS-TV network anchor Dan Rather claims he was kidnapped in a cab but it turns out that Rather refused to pay the driver for the ride (leading to the R.E.M. hit: "What's the cab fare Kenneth?")...
7.1982] Memorialized: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is opened in Washington (D.C.)...
8.1984] Comeback Terps: Backup Maryland QB Frank Reich stages one of the greatest comebacks in college football history, throwing 6 TD passes in the 2nd half and overcoming a 31-0 deficit as the Terps beat Miami 42-40...
9.1993] With malice toward none: John Wayne Bobbitt is acquitted on the charge of marital sexual assault against his wife Lorena Bobbitt (aka "The Blade") who is later acquitted of malicious wounding of her husband. Apparently cutting off one's genitals is not malicious enough in Virginia...
10.2009] Death by execution: John Allen Muhammad, mastermind of the 2002 Beltway sniper attacks, is executed in Virgina. Muhammad was 48...
Music Memories:
1965] Number One on this date: "Get Off Of My Cloud" - Rolling Stones...1974] "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" - Bachman-Turner Overdrive...
1967] Released on this date: "Nights in White Satin" - Moody Blues...1973] "Rock On" - David Essex...1986] "Live 1975-1985" box set - Bruce Springsteen...
1969] Gold Standard: "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" - Gene Autry. It was released in 1949...
Commentary:
The 30th Reunion of the original Rock 'N' Bowl is coming up on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at Pinz, 12655 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City. The lanes will be rockin' from 7PM to 11PM to benefit the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program. To obtain sponsorship and registration forms, click here...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Ellen Pompeo (41), Tracy Morgan (42), Linda (ESPN) Cohn (51), Mackenzie Phillips (51), Sinbad (54), Ann Reinking (61), Greg Lake (63), Dave Loggins (63), Donna Fargo (65) and Russell ('The Professor') Johnson (86)...
Timeline Countdown: 15 days until Thanksgiving, 21 days until Hanukah, 41 days until winter and 44 days until Christmas...
