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NEWS FEED

The FCC’s “Facts” vs. Reality on Net Neutrality
Open Internet, Blog The Engine Team Open Internet, Blog The Engine Team

The FCC’s “Facts” vs. Reality on Net Neutrality

Ahead of the Federal Communications Commission’s vote late last week to dismantle 2015 net neutrality rules — which prevented ISPs from blocking or slowing access to certain websites — FCC Chairman Ajit Pai continued to misrepresent his plan as a boon to innovators and Internet users across the country instead of the ISP industry sell out it really is.

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Our Takeaways from the Senate Hearing on SESTA
CDA 230, Intermediary Liability, Blog Kate Tummarello CDA 230, Intermediary Liability, Blog Kate Tummarello

Our Takeaways from the Senate Hearing on SESTA

The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on a new bill aimed at making it easier to penalize websites and online services that facilitate sex-trafficking.

While much of the hearing focused on the bipartisan and unanimous agreement that sex-trafficking is a tragedy that needs to be addressed, some lawmakers and witnesses noted the potential unintended consequences of the Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act (S.1693) as currently drafted.

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Event Recap: Private Solutions for Public Problems
Events, Blog, Privacy & Data Security Monica Laufer Events, Blog, Privacy & Data Security Monica Laufer

Event Recap: Private Solutions for Public Problems

Earlier this month, Engine held its first briefing of the year: a conversation around the ways that startups are harnessing big data to drive innovation and develop targeted solutions for some of society’s greatest challenges. The event was headlined by Reps. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA), who were joined by a distinguished panel of startup leaders and policy analysts.

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In Apple v. Samsung, SCOTUS Sided With Reason Over Rounded Corners
Blog, IP Evan Engstrom Blog, IP Evan Engstrom

In Apple v. Samsung, SCOTUS Sided With Reason Over Rounded Corners

After almost five years of legal volleying, the U.S. Supreme Court finally issued a decision in the highly anticipated Apple v. Samsung design patent case late last year. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the court delivered a unanimous decision in favor of Samsung, finding that damages for design patent infringement may be limited to revenues attributable to a component of an article of manufacture rather than profits from the entire article. While this is an important victory for startups and innovators—from global corporations to inventors toiling in garages—courts must still work to provide the guidance and clarity necessary to prevent bad actors from abusing the patent system to the detriment of innovation. And they have a new opportunity to do so: On Feb. 7, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit took a significant step in that direction by remanding the Apple v. Samsung case to the Northern District of California court.

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So How Many Patents Are in a Smartphone?
Blog, IP Evan Engstrom Blog, IP Evan Engstrom

So How Many Patents Are in a Smartphone?

The Supreme Court’s December 2016 decision in Apple vs. Samsung reversed a dangerous lower court decision that would have allowed patent plaintiffs to claim the total value of a product containing an allegedly infringing design feature, even if that design feature only provides a small amount of the product’s value. While total profits awards may arguably have been more plausible in an age when devices were less complicated and the design of the object constituted a significant portion of its value, the complexity of modern devices renders total profits awards for design patent infringement particularly illogical.

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One Way to Protect Startups from Patent Trolls? Get Rid of Bad Patents.
Blog, IP, Filings Emma Peck Blog, IP, Filings Emma Peck

One Way to Protect Startups from Patent Trolls? Get Rid of Bad Patents.

The patent system was established by our founding fathers as a tool to promote innovation and invention. But too often, America’s most creative, forward-thinking startups find themselves interacting with the patent system in a less-than-ideal way: on the receiving end of an infringement suit or a letter threatening as much. Bad actors that have amassed hundreds and thousands of overbroad, low-quality patents (colloquially known as “patent trolls”) target businesses, using these patents as proverbial weapons with the goal of forcing companies into costly settlements.

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Five Years Later: What the SOPA/PIPA Protest Meant for Tech
Blog, IP Evan Engstrom Blog, IP Evan Engstrom

Five Years Later: What the SOPA/PIPA Protest Meant for Tech

Considering tech’s strong presence in DC politics, it’s hard to believe that half a decade ago, the notion that the internet community was capable of any unified political engagement seemed far-fetched. But exactly five years ago today, the nation’s political apparatus quickly came to understand just how powerful a constituency the internet community could be.

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Broadband choice for the Bay Area
Infrastructure, Blog Emma Peck Infrastructure, Blog Emma Peck

Broadband choice for the Bay Area

Engine made its home in the Bay Area for a number of reasons, the top being its proximity to some of the most creative and innovative companies in the United States. Home to tens of thousands of startups, it’s a tech haven with a rich talent pool, access to capital and seemingly endless disruptive ideas.

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