August 2012

GPC's Alexander Poltorak was the patent expert interviewed for an IBTimes.com article about a wide variety of patent-related topics - including the need for a multi-tier patent system and special patent courts, the roles of the Federal Court and International Trade Commission in patent disputes, the existence of patent trolls and the outcome of the Apple/Samsung trial.

Apple just won a patent battle of historic proportions against Samsung, but does that have any impact on the value of other patents? In a CFO.com blog post, Alexander Poltorak comments on why Apple's victory has little impact on Kodak's ongoing attempt to get the price it needs for its portfolio of digital imaging patents. ("Patently Crazy" CFO.com - August 28, 2012)

While the IP world is anxiously awaiting the jury verdict in the Apple and Samsung trial, a recent CNNMoney article suggests three ways the case might turn out. GPC's Alexander Poltorak offered his prediction. ("Apple vs. Samsung: Three possible outcomes" CNNMoney - August 24, 2012)

Leading up to the jury verdict in the Apple-Samsung trial, many IP experts speculated about what the outcome would be and why. Alexander Poltorak correctly surmised that the jurors would be influenced more by which side had the best narrative than by the 109 pages of jury instructions they were given. ("Apple-Samsung Jurors May Rely On Instinct Instead Of Law" Law360.com - August 21, 2012)

As the jury deliberates over whether Samsung's products look similar enough to Apple's to cause brand confusion among consumers, the IP world is abuzz with speculation about what the verdict will be. GPC's Alexander Poltorak weighed in on the debate in a recent article. ("Epic patent trial over iPhone technology wraps up" The Washington Examiner - August 22, 2012)

GPC's Chairman and CEO, Alexander Poltorak, was interviewed by CBNweekly - a popular magazine in China with millions of readers - for an article that was published on August 20, 2012. For those who can read Chinese, the article is available to download in two parts: Page 1 and Page 2.

Interview excerpt (in English):

In a recent article on CNBC.com, GPC's Alexander Poltorak comments on a different sort of patent infringement lawsuit: a design patent on yoga pants. ("Analysis: Lululemon patent claim highlights cutthroat yoga world" CNBC.com - August 18, 2012)

Article excerpt: Lululemon's filing says some Calvin Klein "Performance" pants infringe patents on its "Astro Pant." Two of the styles singled out were recently listed online at $39.99 and $60.00 before discounts, compared with $98 for the Astro.

As Forbes' Connie Gugielmo live-blogged the Apple/Samsung trial, Alexander Poltorak was one of the IP experts she consulted for a blog post - and was also the only expert quoted in the piece who didn't also testify at the trial. ("Apple, Samsung Debate Royalties As Judge In Patent Dispute Pushes Settlement, Urges 'Horse Trading'" Forbes.com Live Blog - August 16, 2012)

Kodak may not have gotten the initial bids it was hoping for in its patent auction, but it's not down for the count. The 132-year-old photography pioneer released a business plan that includes plans for "creating a new company" and "aggressively monetizing" its remaining IP. GPC's Alexander Poltorak and others speculate on what a Kodak comeback will look like.

Alexander Poltorak penned an op-ed piece on why the new SHIELD Act will really only shield large companies who are infringing the patents of smaller entities. ("Proposed SHIELD law is nothing but a gift to infringers" TheHill.com - August 10, 2012)

Article excerpt:

GPC's Alexander Poltorak was featured in a Q&A session about why the initial bids for Eastman Kodak's widely-publicized patent auction were much lower than the company expected. ("IP Assets of Kodak May Be Overvalued" Mergers & Acquisitions - August 10, 2012)

Article excerpt:
Initial bids for the patents were reportedly between $150 million and $250 million. Why were they so much lower than the expected value of the patents?