Friday, November 02, 2012

PLEASE Comment if you hear this!

Sombody spammed a comment section the other day, and suprised this thing was still up I came to look at the cobwebs and dust. It reminded me I once had a blog that some people actually read. Some things have changed and some things have not since that time. I wonder if I should try to get re-start this in some way.

I just wonder how many of you keep this musty old link in your RSS feed, or if I should quietly archive things for good. Please let me know by the comments below.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Bump

Just something quick to keep this active.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

KTF Accused of Ad Plagerism

In a situation reminiscent of LG problem a year ago, KTF, one of Korea main mobile phone service providers, has been accused of copying a Microsoft Zune ad from the US. KTF's ad agency says the shots are common industry wide and any resemblance is coincidental.
This is one you can judge for yourself. 

Take a look at just the first 10 seconds of the Zune ad:

Meanwhile the KFT can be seen here. Note the last ten seconds of that ad with the first ten of the Zune.

As I said, LG confronted the same allegations about a year ago. See my post on it here. The past article had one of favorite quotes ever, "We borrowed the image, not stole it!"

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Hillstate

Not really IP related, but I wanted to put this somewhere. From a Korea Times article on a new Hyundai Construction brand:
Hyundai said the brand ``Hillstate'' is to evoke feelings of high society and pride and is a combination of the word ``Hill'' representing a high-class residential complex and ``state'' that suggests high status.

Additionally, the name symbolizes the ``H'' of Hyundai emphasizing ``history,'' ``hotness,'' ``human,'' and ``honor,'' which are four main tailored categories appealing to consumers, company officials said.
Silly me, I thought the "H" in Hyundai meant "Hyundai". Barring that, how could the H represent four things at the same time (in addition the name). Thats one busy "H". Finally, "Hotness"? "Human"? Who are they kidding?

Monday, October 29, 2007

The Party is Over

Headlines recently:

Ballerina Disciplined for Nude Photos - Chosun Ilbo, Oct. 26, 2007

U.S. official to Korea: Open wide for beef - Joongang Ilbo, Oct. 29, 2007

Drug and Sex Party Organizer Busted - Chosun Ilbo, Oct. 29, 2007

Rumor is the party was for Newspaper headline writers.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Thats no Chair!

In a case reminiscent of the Vincent & Co. watch situation last year, nine importers of "Luxury" "European" furniture have been fined by the KTC for actually getting cheap stuff from China.

What is interesting is the parting shot from an KTC official:

"We are going to expand the scope of our investigations with regard to the origin of products to other luxury goods such as handbags from next year,'' said Park Sung-soo, director general of the Office of Investigation of the KTC.

Should be interesting if...well IF and HOW it may work.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

WiBro Theft Punishment

About six months ago news came out that a former POSTDATA employee stole IP related to Korea's WiBro wireless standards technology. Seoul Central Court recently sentenced some of the conspirators: 



(In case you are doing a double take at the last line, it can be interpreted suspended and the four will walk with community service. Also makes me wonder if Kim, sentenced for three years, will make the stereotypical hospital appearance to escape the pokey.)

No word however about the progress of the injunction filed by POSDATA in the US against Kim and InQuadron (the front set up the sell the IP). 



Making Bank

Read this is if you wonder why the Korean legal community is willing to fight tooth and nail against opening up in FTA agreements. Thankfully the patent bar is so specialized and obscure it's always off the table.