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Consumer Prices and Patent Trolls in East Texas

December 25th, 2010
East Texas patent lawyersWe all know about the possibility of finding coal in our stockings due to being on the “bad list” and we have all heard of the Grinch and his devious plan to rob Christmas and even a few of us have had an Ebenezer Scrooge as a boss but this year’s Christmas culprit could come in the form of a “troll”.

Even though there was a slight increase in people spending during this past Black Friday holiday (doesn’t it seem like its receiving more and more attention every year?) the increase was minute and does not make up for the lack of spending that has taken place the past few years.

This lack of spending is due to our struggling economy, but piggy-backing on the economies broken back are unnecessary hikes in product prices forced upon businesses by “patent trolls”.

Patent trolls are, simply, companies who look to buy patents off from bankrupt or struggling businesses or firms for the sole purpose of targeting bigger and more successful businesses that have a product or service that has infringed upon their patent in order to bring a lawsuit against them.

Many times the businesses with the infringement will settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to avoid a lengthy and costly court process. Now, what does this have to do with our Christmas shopping?

Well, once these businesses have paid off their patent litigation, they will have to increase the cost of their product and service so that us the consumers can make up for the loss. This is similar to what is taking place in the medical field, hospitals and doctors are required to charge much higher based upon any litigation or future litigation that is brought against them.

So when it comes this Christmas season make sure to give a big “Merry Christmas” to your local patent troll!

Christmas shopping for her

December 8th, 2010

Woman Christmas Gift IdeasChristmas shopping for women is made so easy by stores like Wal-Mart. But women get tired of bath soaps and lotion. This Christmas get the women of you life something they will love. Hint to men out there: if the woman in your life never wears the heart shaped pendant that you gave her last year, do not get her another one. Women really want men to know what their likes and tastes are.

Jewelry is always a hit at Christmas, but you have to know where to go and what the women you are buying for likes. Kay Jewelers commercials flood the television this time of year. The open heart necklaces are one of their most advertised pieces of jewelry. People always say that you can not go wrong with getting jewelry, but you can. Kay has many different types of jewelry for all different women. The charm bracelets are a great gift idea; you can make them according to a women’s taste. The charm bracelets can be as extravagant or as plain as you would like.

If the women you are shopping for would rather be sitting in front of a sewing machine or a scrapbook than be decorated in diamonds, Hobby Lobby is the best craft store in Tyler. Their large selection of colorful and fun fabrics and patterns can make a great gift for women that love to sew and create clothing. Hobby Lobby has some of the greatest sales around. Many crafts that she enjoys can be found at Hobby Lobby. They are always having sales for 50%-75% off of many different products. You can completely decorate your home with the large selections of holiday and seasonal ornaments, and decorations. Young girls will love their many different craft ideas just for their age groups, such as jewelry design, kits for decorating rooms, and painting.

If the women you are shopping for would much rather enjoy time with you than a gift, you should buy her a date. Tyler has many great restaurants that can provide a romantic night on the town. Jake’s on the square has a great romantic setting on the roof of the restaurant. Many times Jake’s restaurant has live music. Another great restaurant to have a romantic date is the beautiful Viva Montez. The set up of the beautiful Spanish restaurant gives you and your love one the privacy and intimacy that you would want. One place I highly recommend is the KE Cellars. You can enjoy a great time with wine tasting, cheese and meat trays to compliment your wine and on certain night live music for your entertainment. Plan a date that she will love whether it is eating out, wine tasting, dancing or even shopping.

Kohl’s has only been in Tyler for the last few years but it has quickly become very popular. Kohl’s has many great sales. You can buy for all the women on your shopping list at Kohl’s large store. Get the women in your life a whole new selection of kitchen appliances with the best brand names, such as, the popular Food Network collections. There are many “as seen on TV” products, and many of the products are for sale for a better price than you have seen on television. Kohl’s is having one of there largest sales as a Christmas countdown. Kohl’s has all different products that are perfect for Christmas gifts. They have everything from clothing to frames and house décor.

While you are Christmas shopping for the women in your life this holiday season give a little more thought to what they would use and enjoy rather than running through the seasonal section at Wal-Mart and picking up the five dollar bath soaps and cheap Christmas chocolates.

Christmas shopping for Him

December 8th, 2010

Guy Christmas Gift Ideas 2010Christmas shopping for men can be the hardest thing to do. Good thing that there are store in Tyler that have people that know things about electronics, tools, and hunting supplies, or most women would be more lost than they were before. If you are reading this and just got back from the store from buying a horrible Christmas sweater that you know your husband will never wear, but you will always get mad at him for not wearing, please, do everyone a favor and take it back.

Instead of trying to make your husband’s wardrobe even more embarrassing, get him something he could enjoy, and actually use. Academy has a great selection of gifts for the outdoor-loving man. If your husband loves to camp, you can find all different cooking supplies for the camp fire, sleep bags, tents, cots, and everything he will want to have the most enjoyable camping experience. Many men find fishing and camping as a way to escape their busy life. If you don’t really know what you are shopping for there are plenty of people that are willing to help you find the gifts for that special man. Academy does not only have great Christmas gifts for campers, hunters, and fishermen, but also for the football lover, baseball player, and golfer. If all you have heard from your man has been about the Texas A&M Aggies doing well in football you might want to take a look into Academy’s large selection of college football stuff. Fill his stockings up with anything from shot glasses to pens and pencils with the school’s logo on it. Academy has team t-shirts, jackets, jerseys, and much more. For the sport playing men you can find all different equipment and clothing for many different sports, such as golf, baseball, basketball, and many more.

If the out door life style in no way appeals to the man you are shopping for and you can usually find them in front of a video game or computer, there really is one store for you, Best Buy. I was recently walking through the popular electronic store and I felt more lost than any other store I have gone into. To me the difference between a Mac and a P.C. is determined by the young kid and the balding man on the Mac commercials. When I see something on my husband’s Christmas list like HDMI cables I don’t even know what department to look in, but I got help from the super nerdy employees. If there is a place in Tyler that carries the newest video games, you will be able to find it at Best Buy. I finally got to try out the popular Kinect game for xBox. I am really bad at it. Best Buy is having many different “Bundle and Save” deals. You can get blu-ray players, or video consoles bundled with all different video game accessories that are usually sold separately. If you bought these items separately you will have to pay more than their bundle costs. There is much more than video games and televisions at Best buy. You can get all your electronic needs for your car, your office, and home. They also sell cell phones and accessories for all the popular cell phone such as Droid and the iPhone. Best buy a large selection of computers and if you do not know what is the best selection there is some of the most computer obsessed people to help you.

Something I have realized about men is that they like to get gifts that they need and will use. Tools for men are like the “fall back” gift, if you do not know what else to get him, get tools. Men need tools, and will use them. Maybe they will try out their new tool set on the squeaky door that has been driving you crazy or that shelf that needs to be hung up and you have been staring at for months. Home Depot is a great store to find everything for all men in your life. If he finds enjoyment in his garden, Home Depot has all different beautiful plants and brand name gardening tools. But I would recommend that you kind of know what you are looking for if you are shopping at Home Depot or Lowes in Tyler. It always seems like at these places it is so hard to find help.

So as you are shopping for the men in your life this holiday think about gifts they will use and enjoy.