How the Copyright Act of 1976 Left Comic Artists, Like Jack Kirby, at the Mercy of Big Studios; New Hampshire Public Radio, 10/24/16

[Podcast] Devan Roehrig, New Hampshire Public Radio; How the Copyright Act of 1976 Left Comic Artists, Like Jack Kirby, at the Mercy of Big Studios:

"Jack Kirby and Stan Lee worked together at Marvel for almost a decade - they came up with the X-Men and the Hulk. And you may have heard of another character Kirby co-created: his name is…Captain America.

But for nearly 20 years Marvel and Jack Kirby engaged in harsh public battle over creative rights and fair compensation."

Maria Pallante Removed as U.S. Register of Copyrights; Billboard, 10/21/16

Robert Levine, Billboard; Maria Pallante Removed as U.S. Register of Copyrights:

"U.S. Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante was removed from her job Friday morning (Oct. 21) by the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, who has authority over the Copyright Office. Officially, Pallante has been appointed as a senior adviser for digital strategy for the Library of Congress, although it’s clear she was asked to step down. Karyn Temple Claggett, currently associate register of copyrights, has been appointed the acting register.

Pallante was locked out of the Library of Congress computer system this morning, according to two sources who spoke with Library employees."

National Trademark Expo [U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)], October 21-22, 2016, Washington, D.C.

National Trademark Expo [U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)], October 21-22, 2016, Washington, D.C.

Kip Currier: Just returned from attending the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's National Trademark Expo in Washington, D.C.

Outstanding 75-minute "Trademark Basics" seminar by Atty. Scott Baldwin with the USPTO. Great conversations and hands-on demos with exhibitors like Velcro and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board within the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Self-guided exhibits on unique trademarks like the red-and-yellow McDonald's French Fry Holder and "100-year-old Registered Trademarks" like Campbell's Soup and Life Savers.

Photo-ops with USPTO staff decked out as Fruit of the Loom and Crayola crayon costumed characters.

And the ever-dapper Mr. Peanut--celebrating his 100th birthday--was in attendance too, with the Planter's NutMobile.

About the USPTO's National Trademark Expo on 10/21/16 & 10/22/16; U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); About the USPTO's National Trademark Expo:

"2016 National Trademark Expo

The 2016 National Trademark Expo will be held on October 21st and 22nd, 2016 at the beautiful Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium located at 1301 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20240. The Expo is open to any owner of a federally-registered trademark. This free, family-fun, educational event includes exhibitors, kids programs, costumed characters, seminars, and more. The Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium is a very brief walk from the Federal Triangle Station of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) subway station and provides very convenient access."

‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake; New York Times, 10/18/16

Melissa Clark, New York Times; ‘The Great British Bake Off’ Changes the Way the British Bake:

"Nobody expected a baking competition to become one of the top-rated shows on British television, reaching its peak audience of 15 million viewers with the Season 6 finale last year. (The most recent three seasons of the show began airing in the United States in 2014 on PBS as “The Great British Baking Show” because “Bake-Off” is a trademark of Pillsbury .)"

[Open Access Week Event at University of Pittsburgh] Open in Action: The Government, the University, and You: Presenter: Congressman Mike Doyle, Thursday, 10/27/16 4 PM - 6 PM

[Open Access Week Event at University of Pittsburgh] Open in Action: The Government, the University, and You; Presenter: Congressman Mike Doyle:

"Thursday, October 27, 2016 -

4:00pm to 6:00pm

Stream: http://pi.tt/openinaction

Event Description:

4:00 pm – Reception

4:30 pm – Keynote speech

5:15 pm – Panel conversation followed by Questions and Answers from the audience

Learn about the latest actions around the Open Access Movement in the United States, and how you can get involved. Congressman Mike Doyle will join us to discuss FASTR, the Free Access to Science and Technology Research bill that he co-sponsored, which will require Open Access to all research articles funded by major US Government departments and agencies. He will discuss the history and origin of the bill as well as its current state in Congress, including what this bill would mean for researchers at our universities, across the country, and around the world.

Following Congressman Doyle’s speech, join us for a conversation with a panel of experts on advocacy and involvement in Open Access. James Maher, Provost Emeritus and Distinguished Service Professor of Physics at the University of Pittsburgh, will join special guests including Heather Joseph (Executive Director, SPARC) and Keith Webster (Dean of Libraries, Carnegie Mellon University) to discuss the role of the University and the individual researcher in moving the Open movement forward and what the impact of open access to research will be locally and globally."

DISNEY SUES LIGHTSABER ACADEMY FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT; Comic Book Resources, 10/17/16

Jacob Hill, Comic Book Resources; DISNEY SUES LIGHTSABER ACADEMY FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT:

"According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Brown operated numerous businesses based on the Star Wars trademark including New York Jedi, the Lightsaber Academy and Thrills and Skills. After serving multiple cease and desist notices, Disney finally filed a complaint with the California federal court."