Patent Problems Pending Over Web Apps?

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

The runaway success of OfficeMax’s “Elf yourself” upload-your-face-on-an-animated-character campaign attracted lots of attention, but not just from the millions of consumers who sent elves to their family and friends. In late 2007, an obscure New York company called PixFusion filed a lawsuit against OfficeMax and its agency, Toy, for violating patents titled “method and apparatus for producing an electronic image” that covers the process of uploading and cropping a picture online.

The parties quietly settled a month later for a six-figure licensing fee, according to sources.

Nearly

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in