Gothamist: Victoria's Secret in Bra Brawl with Single Mom

JMH

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:06:09 -0500

The things that are broken in the patent system wouldn't have much of an impact on the problems with Ms. Plew's claim.

Politburo

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:46:10 -0500

The real lesson for all you aspiring inventors: The patent system is broken.

JMH

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:14:08 -0500

I agree with Kojak. In fact, never mind the bras.

Kojak

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:39:32 -0500

I second jenchungsbra's recommendation. The demonstrations should also include jumping up and down in one place to ensure proper support while we supervise and record it for private informational sessions.

JenChungsBra

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:32:29 -0500

As Jen Chung's Bra I have to say that I'm highly intrigued by this whole topic. But what we really need are 100 bodacious models demonstrating all the ways that this new bra can be put to use.

Snoopy

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:26:45 -0500

If she has prior documentation of her idea, and it appears she does given the patent, before meeting with Victoria's Secret then she has a very strong case against them. Unless of course they can show they had the same design in the works prior to the meeting. But that of course would have needed documentation prior to her patent. Also her patent needs to be studied to see what specific areas are covered regarding the bra. Is it the way the various options are obtained mechanically or was the patent for the various configurations?

JMH

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:22:23 -0500

Per the NYT article and the patent, the woman's name is "Plew", not "Pew". Looking at her patent, the language is very narrow. (For the benefit of those who don't know how to evaluate the scope of a patent, scroll down to the last page and look at item (1) under "The invention claimed is:". ) Notice the four separate elements a), b), c) and d) that she claims as comprising the improvement. The bra Victoria's Secret is selling has to be the same as all four of those things (plus the earlier part of claim 1) in order for them to be infringing. My guess is that they researched her patent (which issued well before the canceled meeting), evaluated it, and then realized that they could market something similar but not within its scope. The lesson for all you aspiring inventors out there: Get a lawyer to draft your patent application.

Politburo

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:20:03 -0500

This is actually more like the episode where Calvin Klein steals Kramer's idea for the Beach fragrance.

zodak

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:44:29 -0500

i hope she sues the pants off them.

maevemealone

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:42:01 -0500

[1] Thank you, I couldn't figure it out until you said that. I thought it was bird's eye as well, it makes a bit more sense now.

lower manhattan

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:16:48 -0500

I'd been looking at this drawing for a couple of days thinking it was a bird's eye view. Now I just got it that it's a lateral view and that what I thought were the cups are the straps!