Ford Bug Shields

Google's top lawyer rips Apple, Microsoft and Oracle

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you--I came down with a 24-hour bug on the way back from San Antonio. After talking with people here, it sounds as though for various reasons a joint bid wouldn't be advisable on this one. But I appreciate you flagging it, and we're open to discussing similar opportunities in the future.

I hope the rest of your travels go well, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

--Kent

"I have worked in the tech sector for over two decades. Microsoft and Apple have always been at each other's throats, so when they get into bed together you have to start wondering what's going on," Drummond writes.

He sees their banding together to acquire the Nortel patents as a direct assault on Android, which has quickly surpassed both the iPhone and devices running the Windows Phone and the previous Windows Mobile as the top selling smartphone operating system in the United States. He goes on to note that smartphones might face up to 250,000 "largely questionable" patent claims, which serve as a "tax" on the devices.

"Instead of competing by building new features or devices, they are fighting through litigation," Drummond writes.

Of course, that's the common cry of the accused in patent litigation. Rather than acknowledge infringing, defendants accuse plaintiffs of trying to stifle innovation in the courts.

And Google is clearly not above using some of the same tactics to protect itself from patent litigation. The company also bid on the Nortel patents. And it's reportedly looking into buying wireless technology company InterDigital for its wireless patent portfolio.

"We're also looking at other ways to reduce the anticompetitive threats against Android by strengthening our own patent portfolio," Drummond writes, without mentioning specific companies.

Drummond's post pays homage to an investigative piece by NPR's "This American Life" last month titled " When Patents Attack ," chronicling how software patents have gone from a protective measure for technology companies, to a big business for nonpracticing entities--companies that licenses patents but doesn't actually have any other business.

Lately that behavior's centered around the the targeting of mobile app developers on both Apple and Google's mobile platforms by entities like Lodsys and MacroSolve. Earlier this year these intellectual property holders began targeting companies big and small for allegedly infringing on patents held, offering up licensing deals at the risk of litigation if such a deal could not be struck. As a result, Apple tried to step in and shield developers on its platform, saying its own license covers the activity being targeted. Groups like Article One Partners have also served as conduits for groups looking to get patents from Lodsys and MacroSolve invalidated, using crowdsourced research that aims to find prior art.

Auto Vent ShieldsAuto Vent Shields AiLi Qiche

In days gone by, the thought of placing a bug shield on your car simply meant finding a tacky looking navy blue mesh net and draping it across the front of your car. Besides looking awful, these earlier shields were poorly fitting and bulky. Bugs still got through and little good came out of having one on your car. Fortunately, innovative manufacturers have changed all of that. Let's examine the current crop of auto vent shields [bug shields] out there and see how one can protect your car.

Unlike bug shields of yesteryear, today's shields have kept up with current technology; updated design changes have yielded a group of shields that custom fit your vehicle as well as looking attractive too. Unlike previous one-size-fits-all models, current shields curve with the contour of your vehicle's hood for a precise fit. In addition, an auto vent shield can do the following:

Protects your car from road debris. Small stones or garbage kicked up on the interstate can mar your hood or even smash your windshield. A custom fitted bug shield can send harmful objects up and over your vehicle and out of harm's way.

Protects your hood from bug splatter. The leading edge of your vehicle's hood seems like a magnet to bugs. Take any long road trip, especially in the summer months, and by the time you reach your destination your finish is marred by bug juice, some of which is nearly impossible to remove. Imagine the costs you will incur by turning in your leased vehicle with a hood marred by bug splatter or pock marked by stones.

Bug shields are generally available in a smoke color or in a paintable polycarbonate surface for further customization. This material is, by the way, able to withstand road debris and unlikely to crack when it deflects a stone out of harm's way.

Of course selecting a Toyota bug shield or Ford bug shield takes a bit of research to find one that is right for your vehicle. Auto Vent Shields, a wholesaler of quality shields recommends Lund bug shields and Ventshade bug shields as both manufacturers are noted for producing high quality and durable products that are affordably priced.

Whichever brand you choose, select one that is custom crafted for the make and model of your vehicle in order to achieve the best fit and to provide top protection. For a small cash outlay an auto vent shield provides the protection that every vehicle should have.

About the author: Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is an auto enthusiast and a contributing writer for the Auto Vent Shields online store, wholesalers of Lund Bug Shield and Toyota Bug Shield .

STANDARD CATALOG OF FORD

Popular Science

Popular Mechanics

Catalogue

The Horseless age, the automobile trade magazine