Leftovers

• Science

  • Latvia ☛ Latvia does well on proportion of female scientists and engineers

    Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on 11 February each year. To mark the occasion, Eurostat published data on how many female scientists and engineers there are in the EU – data in which Latvia does relatively well.

• Hardware

  • CNX Software ☛ Mekotronics R58-PTZ video surveillance/live streaming embedded computer features a PTZ camera, two HDMI input ports

    I swear it’s not an AI-generated picture of a device, but the Mekotronics R58-PTZ is real and just another unusual Rockchip RK3588 hardware platform from the company that’s an embedded computer with a 3-inch display on the front panel and a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera placed on top.

• Proprietary

  • Crytek announced the dismissal of 15% of employees — the development of Crysis 4 is frozen

    German game company Crytek, best known for the Crysis series and the development of the CRYENGINE engine, has announced that it is laying off 60 of its employees. It has also suspended development of Crysis 4 to focus on supporting the shooter Hunt: Showdown 1896.

  • Crytek’s Huge Layoffs Affect 15% of Staff, Putting Crysis 4 in Limbo

    On Wednesday, Crytek made the unfortunate announcement that the developer will be laying off 15% of its staff, and Crysis 4 is now on the shelf.

    Layoffs have unfortunately become common news in the game industry since 2022. Thousands and thousands of layoffs have occurred, and even bigger companies such as Microsoft and Sony have made cuts to their staff after business ‘restructuring’ sees employees ‘made redundant.’ On Wednesday, Crysis franchise developer Crytek announced the unfortunate decision to layoff 15% of staff in an official message posted to X (formerly Twitter), and the upcoming fourth entry in the Crysis franchise (dubbed Crysis 4) will be put “on hold”. The announcement from X can be seen below.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

    • ACLU ☛ Trump's Efforts to Dismantle Hey Hi (AI) Protections, Explained [Ed: They just basically mean computing but call it "hey hi"]

      Amid the crush of executive orders and agency directives issued during The Insurrectionist’s first weeks in office, his administration has begun to demolish the foundations for ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. is safe and responsible. The president is not only set to completely roll back the fledgling protections Joe Biden’s administration instituted, but also to further accelerate the spread of unchecked Hey Hi (AI) across American life.

  • Windows TCO / Windows Bot Nets

    • Krebs On Security ☛ Microsoft Patch Tuesday, February 2025 Edition

      Microsoft today issued security updates to fix at least 56 vulnerabilities in its Windows operating systems and supported software, including two zero-day flaws that are being actively exploited.

• Security

  • SANS ☛ An ontology for threats, cybercrime and digital forensic investigation on Smart City Infrastructure, (Wed, Feb 12th)

  • The Record ☛ Arizona woman pleads guilty to running laptop farm for N. Korean IT workers, faces 9-year sentence | The Record from Recorded Future News

    Christina Marie Chapman, a 48-year-old resident of Litchfield Park, Arizona, pleaded guilty in a U.S. District Court to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

    Chapman was arrested last May as part of a wider takedown of North Korea’s scheme to have hundreds of their citizens hired at unwitting U.S. companies in IT positions. The Department of Justice said Chapman helped her group of North Korean workers earn more than $17.1 million, most of which was sent back to North Korea’s government.

  • Privacy/Surveillance

    • Security Week ☛ Cybercrime Threatens National Security, Surveillance Giant Google Threat defective chip maker Intel Team Says [Ed: Surveillance Giant Google - a back doors purveyor - pretends to be anything but a co-conspirator]

      On the eve of the Munich Security Conference, Surveillance Giant Google argues that the cybercriminal threat should be treated as a national security threat like state-backed hacking groups.

• Defence/Aggression

  • New York Times ☛ Wednesday Briefing: Israel Threatens to End the Cease-Fire

    Plus, New York Fashion Week.

  • New Thai rule gives Myanmar junta greater power to block workers: activists

    New rule mandating junta approval for migrant workers sparks fears of forced conscription and persecution.

  • ADF ☛ Struggling to Defeat Terrorists, Sahel Nations Squeeze Mining Companies for Cash

    With their fight against terrorists foundering and their economies teetering, the Sahel’s three junta-led nations are putting the squeeze on foreign mining companies to supply more cash for their cause. As the same time, they are offering Russia greater access to mineral wealth in exchange for military aid.

  • Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine

    • Meduza ☛ Gold reserves in Russian banks drop by half in a year — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ New Russian draft law would include bank account details on public ‘foreign agents’ registry — Meduza

    • Latvia ☛ Latvian border case upcoming at ECHR

      The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will hear an important case February 12 arising from the efforts of Belarus to weaponize migration on Latvia's eastern border.

    • Meduza ☛ ‘We have no information’: Kremlin responds to unverified media reports that Trump envoy flew to Moscow — Meduza

    • The Straits Times ☛ Russia offers India its most advanced Su-57 stealth fighter jet

      BENGALURU, India - Russia has offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, a Russian and an Indian official said on Tuesday, as Moscow looks to boost defence ties with New Delhi.

    • ADF ☛ Africans Pushed to Frontlines in Russian ‘Cannon Fodder’ Strategy in Ukraine

      A Cameroonian man was being treated in the infirmary of a Russian military camp in eastern Ukraine when he shared his story. The Kremlin, he said, is recklessly sending African conscripts to fight and die on the frontlines of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

    • RFERL ☛ American Teacher Freed By Russia Due To Meet Convicted Felon In White House

      An American teacher freed by Moscow was due to appear with U.S. President The Insurrectionist in the Oval Office after what the White House said was a show of “good faith” by Russia in releasing him as the United States seeks a settlement to end the war in Ukraine.

    • Meduza ☛ Trump has secretly tasked Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who secured release of imprisoned U.S. teacher, with negotiating to end war in Ukraine — NYT — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Moscow claims Ukrainian intelligence services are planning false flag attacks on foreign ships and Russian opposition figures — Meduza

    • Atlantic Council ☛ How Ukraine’s shadow army fights back against the Russian occupation

      Ukraine’s resistance movement has evolved significantly in the eleven years since the onset of Russian military aggression, with a dramatic escalation following the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, writes Omar Ashour.

    • Scoop News Group ☛ U.S. adversaries increasingly turning to cybercriminals and their malware for help

      A Surveillance Giant Google Threat Intelligence Group report notes that Russia in particular has been doing this since the Ukraine war began.

    • France24 ☛ Ukraine prepared to swap territory with Russia in peace negotiations, Zelensky says

      Kyiv would be prepared to exchange Russian territory seized in its Kursk offensive last year in return for Ukrainian land under Russian control, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday. He also told the UK's Guardian newspaper that security guarantees that did not involve the US would not be "real" guarantees.

    • France24 ☛ Drone warfare: US Army looks to learn lessons from Ukraine

      Cheaper and more plentiful than in the past, drones are changing the face of modern warfare, particularly in Ukraine where they have been used extensively by both sides for both attacks and surveillance. Now, the US Army is hoping to put the lessons learned in Ukraine into practice, training its troops on the latest in drone tech and tactics. But the country could find producing drones in large numbers on a scale similar to rivals such as China a tough challenge.

    • RFERL ☛ Release Of American Is 'Good Faith' Move By Russia As U.S. Seeks End To War In Ukraine, White House Says

      An American teacher serving a 14-year sentence in Russia on charges of marijuana possession has been freed in an exchange that the White House said "serves as a show of good faith from the Russians" as the United States seeks a settlement to end the war in Ukraine.

    • LRT ☛ Most reports about Convicted Felon’s Ukraine peace plan ‘baseless’, says Lithuanian MFA

      Nothing should be taken off the table when it comes to negotiating a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, says Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, noting that reporting about US President The Insurrectionist’s peace plan is “70-percent” baseless.

    • RFERL ☛ Hundreds Of Russian Soldiers Treated In Hospitals In North Korea

      Hundreds of Russian soldiers are being treated in North Korean hospitals, a Russian diplomat said, comments that provide another glimpse into the scale of cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang in the Ukraine war.

    • RFERL ☛ Ukrainian Drones Damage Industrial Facility In Russia's Saratov Region, Governor Says

      A Ukrainian drone attack damaged an industrial facility in Russia's Saratov region, the regional Governor Roman Busargin said early on February 11.

    • New York Times ☛ Ukrainian Lawmakers Approve Contentious Purchase of Nuclear Reactors

      Opponents of the project say it is costly, will take far too long to strengthen Ukraine’s battered power supply and opens the door to corruption.

    • New York Times ☛ Can European ‘Boots on the Ground’ Help Protect Ukraine’s Security?

      Deterring Russia from re-invading Ukraine, once this war ends, could require 150,000 troops and American help with air cover, intelligence and missile defense, experts say.

    • European Commission ☛ Speech by Commissioner Kos delivered at the EP Plenary debate “Council and Commission statements – Continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine after three years of Russia's war of aggression”

      We are about to mark three years since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    • Latvia ☛ Slippery roads around Rīga and in Kurzeme Tuesday

      Latvian State Roads (LVC) said on Tuesday, February 11, that there is ice on the roads in the vicinity of Rīga and in Kurzeme.

    • Atlantic Council ☛ Can Russia be held accountable for the crime of aggression in Ukraine?

      In early February, a coalition of 37 countries announced “significant progress” toward the establishment of a special tribunal for the international crime of aggression against Ukraine, writes Kristina Hook.

      The post Can Russia be held accountable for the crime of aggression in Ukraine? appeared first on Atlantic Council.

    • Meduza ☛ Trump’s envoy puts Ukraine peace plan on hold to consult NATO allies — The Telegraph — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Zelensky says ‘serious’ members of Trump team to visit Ukraine this week before Munich Security Conference — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Unpursued suspect in Boris Nemtsov murder case repeatedly visited occupied Ukraine in recent years, journalists find — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Inside a Kharkiv rehabilitation center for Ukrainian soldiers with psychological trauma — Meduza

    • Latvia ☛ Real estate purchase ban for Russians, Belarusians being considered in Latvia

      A proposal to prevent Russian and Belarusian citizens from buying property in Latvia is making its way through the Saeima, Latvian Radio reported February 11.

    • Security Week ☛ Russian Cybercrime Network Targeted for Sanctions Across US, UK and Australia

      Russia-based bulletproof hosting services provider Zservers was sanctioned for providing services to support LockBit ransomware operations.

    • Security Week ☛ Authorities Disrupt 8Base Ransomware, Arrest Four Russian Operators

      Law enforcement agencies take down the 8Base ransomware group’s infrastructure, arrest four Russian operators.

    • The Straits Times ☛ Seoul says North Korea has given Russia 200 long-range artillery pieces

      North Korea could “additionally supply troops, weapons and ammunition going forward”, said the official.

    • New York Times ☛ Russia Releases Marc Fogel After Talks With Convicted Felon Envoy

      The Kremlin freed Marc Fogel, a teacher held for more than three years on drug charges, in a deal negotiated by Steve Witkoff, President Convicted Felon’s Middle East envoy.

    • New York Times ☛ Who Is Marc Fogel? The American Teacher Caught in a Global Power Struggle.

      Mr. Fogel, who had lived and taught in many countries, including Russia for nine years, spent 3 ½ years in Russian custody for having cannabis for medical use, and is in poor health.

    • ADF ☛ Russia to Use Libyan Base Near Border with Chad, Sudan

      Russia has expanded its military presence in Libya by transferring personnel and equipment to the Maaten al-Sarra base near the borders with Chad and Sudan, an Italian news agency reported. The base had been abandoned since 2011.

    • ADF ☛ Iran, Russia Seek Military Bases in Sudan as Civil War Rages

      Iran and Russia are seeking to capitalize on the chaos in Sudan as they look for new locations to establish military bases. Both countries were longtime supporters of the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad that rebels toppled in December.

    • Meduza ☛ Russian lawmakers propose tougher penalties for ‘discrediting’ the army if the offense was committed for ‘personal gain’ — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian boarding school worker who exposed alleged student abuse sentenced to four years in prison — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘Congress will send us the list, and we’ll hand it over to the FSB’: Russian State Duma speaker says Russians who received money from USAID should ‘repent on Red Square’ — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Repenting in Red Square Agentstvo Media reminds Russian politicians that they, too, once suckled at USAID — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russia releases imprisoned schoolteacher Marc Fogel in ‘show of good faith,’ says Trump administration — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Overnight Russian missile strikes on Kyiv leave one dead, multiple injured — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Russian lawmakers pass first reading of bill to ban foreign words on signs and storefronts — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ ‘We’ve been living in fear, dreading nightfall’: In Russia’s Far East, villagers are asking Putin and soldiers fighting in Ukraine to save them from tigers — Meduza

    • Meduza ☛ Irina Viner, former coach of gymnast and rumored Putin romantic partner Alina Kabaeva, resigns as head of Russia’s rhythmic gymnastics team — Meduza

    • RFERL ☛ Dictator Warns Kyiv Ukraine 'May Be Russian Someday'

      President The Insurrectionist said he is seeking hundreds of billions of dollars worth of rare earth resources from Ukraine in exchange for Washington's support in the war against Russia, implying that failing to do so could mean a loss of its sovereignty.

• AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics

  • France24 ☛ 74% of French say politicians are corrupt: Study show low trust in government

    A new report commissioned by Sciences Po University reveals a mistrust of institutions, a feeling that those in power don't serve the people's interests, and fatigue with the current political system. France 24's Antonia Kerrigan tells us more.

• Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press

  • Press Gazette ☛ Sun reporter visited parents of aid worker killed in Gaza before they knew of his death

    A Sun reporter told John Chapman's family: "I think he might have been involved in an incident."

Monopolies/Monopsonies

• Patents

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ Different Burdens of Proof Prevent IPR Estoppel from Extending to Non-Challenged Claims

    The Federal Circuit has significantly limited the reach of inter partes review estoppel in Kroy IP Holdings, LLC v. Groupon, Inc., No. 2023-1359 (Fed. Cir. Feb. 10, 2025). The court held that a PTAB unpatentability finding cannot create collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) against asserting other claims from the same patent monopoly in district court - even if those other claims are materially identical for invalidity purposes. The decision, authored by Judge Reyna, emphasizes the critical distinction between IPR's preponderance standard and district court litigation's clear and convincing evidence requirement.  This case builds upon ParkerVision, Inc. v. Qualcomm Inc., 116 F.4th 1345 (Fed. Cir. 2024).

  • Kluwer Patent Blog ☛ Germany – Settled and recent case law on claim construction (Part 1 – Introduction)

    In this series, we will review the practice of the German Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof or BGH, herein: FCJ) on key questions of patent monopoly law such as claim construction, added subject-matter, and patentability. This case law summary is intended for practitioners from all over the world, especially for those from outside of Germany.

• Trademarks

  • TTAB Blog ☛ TTAB Vacates DR. DOCTOR Section 2(d) Affirmance: Cited Registration Had Been Cancelled

    In the TTABlog Test of February 7th, we included the Board's affirmance of a Section 2(d) refusal of the mark DR. DOCTOR for fruit juice and energy shots, in view of the registered mark DR DR for "beverages, namely, carbonated and noncarbonated flavored sodas and drinking water." In re Juiceland IP Holdings, LLC, Serial No. 97830521 (February 5, 2025) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Wendy B. Cohen).

  • TTAB Blog ☛ TTAB Denies "DISORDERLY FASHION" Nonuse Cancellation Petition: It's Hard to Prove a Negative

    The Board tossed out Avalon Apparel's petition for cancellation of Brandon R. Kilson's registration for the mark DISORDERLY FASHION (in standard characters, FASHION disclaimed) for “Clothing, namely, neck warmers; Belts; Bottoms as clothing; Coats; Headwear; Hooded sweatshirts; Jackets; Shoes; Tops as clothing." Avalon claimed nonuse, abandonment, and fraud, but its proofs were, in a fashion, disorderly. Kilson, appearing pro se, did not submit evidence or testimony, nor did he file a brief, but his rope-a-dope approach proved to be successful. Avalon Apparel, LLC v. Brandon R. Kilson, Cancellation No. 92080171 (January 30, 2025) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Martha B. Allard).

• Copyrights

  • Dennis Crouch/Patently-O ☛ From Sculptors to Headnotes: Chiseling Out Copyright Protection for Westlaw Content

    by Dennis Crouch

    In a surprising decision today, Judge Stephanos Bibas ruled that ROSS Intelligence's use of Westlaw content to train its legal Hey Hi (AI) system constituted copyright monopoly infringement. Thomson Reuters Enter. Ctr. GmbH v. Ross Intel. Inc., No. 1:20-cv-613-SB (D. Del. Feb. 11, 2025).  I have been following a number of Hey Hi (AI) intellectual property challenges. Most of these have favored the makers and users of Hey Hi (AI) over the owners of the IP (typically copyright monopoly holders).