What's going on: Patenting Issues...

In the eyes of numerous people and software engineers, who believe that the patent system is stunting the growth of technology development. Some visualize patent laws, especially, those patents created to protect software development. Some may say that, it’s just another way for development company’s to make money through lawsuits. In an article podcast entitled, “The Tuesday Podcast: The Patent War”, which through out both the short article and podcast they mention that tech companies are only fighting over big dollars. They’re putting large amounts of money toward purchasing patents, and they’re not doing it to bring more creativity and innovation. They’re doing it to protect themselves from potential lawsuits. In San Francisco’s Silicon Valley, there’s a legal battle between numerous companies and patents seem to be the weapon of choice. 

When focusing attention on patents, its always been thought of as a protection for some type of software, innovation, and or tech development. Patenting now seems to be going as far as protecting the human body. It’s not just the human body that being patented, things like living organisms and plants are some of the things being secured under the patent laws of intellectual property. It’s as if the human body has become a new monopoly. In an article podcast entitled, “Deadly Monopolies? Patenting The Human Body,” medical ethicist and author Harriet Washington discusses that it not that the human body is actually being patent. When focusing on the laws of the government, patenting the human body would fall under the affects of the Anti-Slavery Statutes. Washington does state that an individual can patent his or her cells and tissues. Once those cells and tissues are patented they are sold or licensed to corporations, and those corporations exploits’ those patents.

On a more balanced subject when focusing on the scope of patents, it’s trusted that some of the more popular brand-name prescription drugs will be coming off the patent security, and will be going generic. Lipitor, which brought in close to $11 billions in sales this past year, will be one of prescriptions drugs to fall off the patent cliff. Other drugs that will soon follow are Plavix, which is a prescription drug for heart disease. Seroquel is a prescription medication made to treat depression, and Nexium is a prescription drug for digestive problem. The reason behind this situation is that patients often times pay more money for the name brand medication, even when their insurance is covering their expenses. A majority of most patients have no choice; unlike Lipitor not many drugs yet have generic competition. So what is there to do…

What's Up: Apple vs. Technology

It seems as if, competing in the world of technology through retail isn’t enough for some of the world’s most popular enforcers in tech development. Motorola, Kodak, and Samsung have been fighting against and suing Apple for patent violations. In recent news, Apple has gone from suing Samsung in believing that they have infringed on the Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 10 different other devices that seem to break the laws of infringement, according to sources. Reports show, that Apple is suing Samsung threw an Australian lawsuit, which claims 278 patent infringement violations. But Samsung isn’t only playing the role of the defense; Samsung is also counter suing Apple for infringement on the design, feel, and even the teach screen capability for the iPad.

Motorola has recently filed a new patent infringement lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the latest release of their newest hardware and software violate 6 of Motorola patents. The development of iPhone 4s and the iCloud are the alleged victims to the Apple and Motorola lawsuit. There are two counts of patent infringement on the iPhone 4S and four counts on the iCloud. Motorola had planned to append these charges to the ongoing lawsuit it filed against Apple two years ago; which targeted Apple's App Store and iOS. The new lawsuit comes after the judge in the original suit request that Motorola do so.

Apple believes that the patent Kodak is suing them for maybe rightfully in the hands of Apple’s ownership. Apple had launched an investigation of their own, and believes that they are rightful owner of the invention. On the information gather based on collaboration between both Kodak and Apple in the development of a digital camera. Apple trust that they’re the rightful owner of the ‘218 patent and even potentially many other patents by Kodak.

Next Up Music: God Forgives, I Don't....

The biggest boss in the game is set to do it again. Rick Ross is preparing to release his 5^th solo studio debut album entitled, God Forgives, I Don’t. His last album Teflon Don crushed the streets with hits like “Super High” featuring Ne-Yo, “Aston Martin Music” featuring Drake & Chrisette Michele, and we can’t forget the street anthem “B.M.F (Blowing Money Fast)” featuring Style P.  Rozay believes that God Forgives, I don’t could be his best studio album ever. God Forgives, I don’t was set to be released within the second week of December, but was believed to pushed back do to health issues that Ross was facing.


The Maybach Music CEO is offering listeners an appetizer before the release of God Forgives, I Don’t with his free release mixtape Rich Forever hosted by MMG’s DJ Scream, and Hip-Hop historian Shaheem Reid. The mixtape features bangers from new producers like Beat Billionaire, DRich, The Academy, DVLP, DJ Spinz, Chuck Ingish, and many more. The mixtape also includes guest appearances from Diddy, 2 Chainz, Wale, French Montana, Drake, and even John Legend. This free release is believed to have put fans on edge for the release of God forgives, I Don’t.

On the final track of the mixtape entitled, “Shaheem Reid Speaks,” Shaheem Reid has a one-on-one interview with the boss himself. Throughout the conversation, Ross gives a clear understanding of a lot of things like the release of Self-Made Vol. 2, and the release of Maybach Music’s very own Meek Mill debut album. He states that he and Drake plan to release a project entitled, YOLO (You Only Live Once); which could be a great look for both of their careers and the future of Hip-Hop.  Ross also addresses the inspiration behind the title of the mixtape Rich Forever. He states that most people dream of living forever, but his dream is to be rich forever. In his eyes, he believes what’s living worth if you’re going to struggle forever, so trust that it would be best to be rich forever.

Next Up Music News: Not 100, but 103.

The southern voice of the streets, Jay “Young Jeezy” Jenkins, continues to motivate his listeners. The long a waited fourth studio album, released by the Thug Motivator himself, has finally seemed to satisfy the streets. Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition didn’t disappoint the fans. The album in which fans had been waiting for a little more over two years, in which was contently pushed back from the offices of Def Jam. It seems as if this major set back was able to work in the favor of Jeezy. It helped clear the air of the many questions and issues that surfaced around the CTE CEO. The delay allowed Young to clear the air with issues with his Def Jam label mate Rick Ross and fellow GA native Gucci Mane, in a track on the album entitled, “This One’s for You”, featuring Trick Daddy.

After the long waited album, Thug Motivation 103, the first week sales debut at number three, selling 233,000 records. These numbers didn’t seem to surpass his last album, The Recession, which debuted selling 260,000 copies in its first week of sales. But it still seems to keep the streets buzzing over the recent release.

So what’s next for the South Carolina native? Well, in a recent interview on Power 1-11 Radio, T.I. speaks that there is a slight possibility of both T.I & Young Jeezy coming together and disturbing to the world with a collaboration album. We’ve seen some collaboration albums over this past year from artists like Jay-Z & Kanye West (Watch the Throne), and Waka Flocka & Gucci Mane (Ferrari Boyz). This collaboration won’t only be a good look for the two’s careers, but a great look for hip-hop. Jeezy is also in line to start his touring to continue to market and reach the fans that waited so long and patiently for the music. The first show kicks off in Detroit, on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the FOX Theatre.

Next Up Music News: Public Enemy Number 1

Downloading music has made the joy of having some of our favorite musicians tracks easier and faster for our enjoyment. Downloading music is better than waiting on the release of their actual album release; especially, with itunes right in the palm of our hands, and at the point of our fingertips. Maybe for those who may own an iPhone, iPod, or even iPad. Even though downloading music in our current generation seems so easy. Many people make it seems so hard; especially, when doing it illegally. With fans downloading some of their favorite recording artists’ music illegally, they’re not only breaking the law. They’re also breaking the pockets of these same artists’.

When looking at the music industry, artists’ always seem to be behind and for some strange reason at a disadvantage within the music industry. They’re always cheated out of their funds and rights. At the end of the day, it seems as if the labels get richer, while the recording artist get poorer. It’s also important to remember that it’s not only the artist these illegal downloaders are cheating. Along side the recording artist and the record labels; there’s the producers and publishers/ songwriters, who do receive rights and pay to those same records that people illegally download off the Internet.

What really puts an artist at a disadvantage is the fact that an artist may sell 1000 units through digital download, and may absolutely see nothing in return from the record labels. When hearing this, you may think this is impossible. In recent news, Public Enemy’s Chuck D. claims that Universal Music Group artists get paid $80.33 for every 1000 download. Chuck D. has decided to sue Universal Music, believing that the label has miscalculated Public Enemy’s royalties for digital downloads. In the class action suit, he proves in a printed document that artists at UMG receive $80.33 for every 1000 downloads. When the group should've receive $315.85. Chuck D. trust that digital downloads should be seen as licenses and not have the same expenses as physical album.   

Next Up Artist Finance: Get Paid..

We often hear stories about recording artist selling a large number of records, but may still be in debt with their record labels or not even see close to the amount of money thought possible. Martin F. Frascogna who’s an entertainment attorney, music marketing executive, and also a co-author of the book, Entertainment Law for the General Practitioner; did an informational video post entitled, “How To Sell 1 Million Albums & Owe 500,000”. Frascogna covers, how if an artist were to see a million dollars after record sales, all the deductions that the record label takes out before even paying the artist.

Many of the deductions may be seen as uncalled for. For example, the uncollected account deduction is a deduction that covers, if a store carrying the artist album for sale, and happened to go bankrupt. Well instead of the record label picking a fight with that store carrier, they would just deduct a fee from the particular artist. This too many, maybe be seen as unfair or not right. Some of the other deductions that Frascogna goes in depth, which decreases an artist’s payday, are fees like breakage, free gods, container charge and reserves fee. Frascogna goes more in depth, on how advances, recording cost; producer and mixer fees are also deducted.

At the end of it all, it seems as if the artist is always held out and cheated at the end. With all these deductions an artist still has to pay his/her personal staff like a manager, attorney etc. It’s one thing, when talking about a solo artist, but it’s a sure thing that the money seems like peanut compared to pennies, when deal with a band or group. The video post by Frascogna has shinned a light on an area many may have seen profitable for an artist or even brand/group.  Artists have seemed to find new ways in making money, especially with the growing age of technology. 

Next Up Inspiration: Viktor Frankl

TED.com features a video on Viktor Frankl entitled, Why To Believe in Others. The video was shot in May of 1972 and was posted on TED.com, May of 2011. In the video Frankl speaks on the issues on what young peoples interest in their search for the meaning of life. He believes that our youth only focuses on the search for making money. His researches lead him to believe that 16% of all students in school, main objective goal in life is to make money. While 78% expressed that their main objective in life is to find meaning and a purpose in life. Mr. Frankl also trusts that as individuals, we should assist one another by helping each other advance in life. He states that, if we take man as he is, we make that man worst.  But if we take a man for what he should be, we can make him capable of what he can become.

Many may think differently about Viktor Frankl opinion, with how individuals may feel about their main objective in life; especially, young adults. Compared to when Frankl made his thesis, and how he feels about the new generation’s thoughts and opinions of living life. Some say that the main goal of making money is the goal of reaching for success.  In our society today, money is normally defined as how successful individual really is. Other may say that money can’t buy you love or happiness, but some say that money can buy you love and happiness. Then the question to the thought would be, “Is it real love?”

Viktor Frankl inspired the audience by trying to convey the understanding of what’s more important to life, money or understanding your meaning and purpose in life.  He conveys the significant events and how he over came adversity; with how time changed with the young individuals mind focus in life over the past few years.