The PTO allows trademark for "Dykes on Bikes"

Good stuff.

The US patent office has reversed position and approved a request to let a lesbian San Francisco motorcycle club trademark the name "Dykes on Bikes," the office confirmed.

"The original reaction of the examiner was to reject it because he considered the term (dykes) disparaging," Brigid Quinn of the US patent office told AFP.

"The applicant got lots of evidence, from everyone from lawyers to academics, that the term wasn't considered disparaging in the lesbian community."

An examiner approved the Dykes on Bikes trademark on December 5, Quinn said. After the decision is formally published, opponents will have 30 days to argue against finalizing the decision, according to Quinn.

Dykes on Bikes has led every Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco since the first procession some 30 years ago.

AFP: Lesbian motorcycle brigade to get 'Dykes on Bikes' trademark

Flat Foldable Batteries

It's been awhile since I posted about new tech, but this is really cool. It sounds like some cyberpunk William Gibson or Neal Stephenson. I'm all for some clothes that compute and whatnot.

The possibilities for NEC's 'flattery' - as we like to call it - are endless. Smartcards have been touted as an obvious use, but it would fit in nicely with the idea of intelligent paper too. Before long, you might be rolling up your Powerpoint presentation and handing out your interactive business cards.

There are no official plans to use it in any products yet, but NEC has promised to 'carry out aggressive research and development' to enhance the performance and make it a commericial reality.

Stuff Article.