Often times when an idea or concept is formed and released publicly, others may become fascinated by it and are likely to reproduce it and call it there own. Since media and technology has been advancing, it is important for creators to be extremely creative and out of the ordinary with their products. Since it is increasingly difficult to come up with original ideas, others are quick to steal. In turn the person who originally established this idea may not get the credit that they deserve. This is simply called copying. In order to protect your product, a copyright is used to block any unwanted “copying” from others.
Another form of protecting your product is a “patent”. This refers to an innovation of development to a current progression that doesn’t let others from copying or repeating that innovation that you worked so hard to put together. In order to complete the patenting process, one must complete a form that indicates that you were the original creator of the product listed. The form belongs to the U.S Patent and Trademark Office. Although it is a time consuming process, it is worth it in the end to secure what hard work you have done. Unfortunately a patent does not last a lifetime, only up to twenty years or so.
A trademark is important in the mobile phone business because many companies such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T and others have words that represent there company which shows the world who they are. They are placed on things that represent a company such as logos, trademark names or phrases in which they use to persuade individuals into buying their product. Catch phrases such as, “We Never Stop Working for You”; have been trademarked by Verizon Wireless because it is their slogan. Catch phrases as well as logos are trademarked. The check mark by Verizon Wireless, The M by Motorola, The T and squares by T Mobile and the bell by AT&T are all trademark symbols, which are owned by the technology companies stated above. People recognize their product because of their distinctive slogan. There must be specific proof that provides information that declares that you were the first person to come up with your specific idea. The idea of trademarks is convenient for those who want to put their name out there and become successful, especially in the world of media and technology.
A copyright is somewhat similar to a trademark because they both protect and display and identity to the world. A copyright stats certain rights that the creator now has; It is the right of ownership of creative business enterprise. Written songs, films and materials with an original or new concept would be protected by a copyright in order to prevent others from claiming their originality. Music artists produce tons of songs each year, and many are popular enough to be used as a mobile phone ring tone. Since there are copyrights on these songs, the artists get credit from any of these applications in order for them to use them.
While there are many laws protecting the rights of mobile phone distributors there are many other laws in which mobile phones have changed the way we live today. Back in the 1940s when there were no mobile phones available to individuals of society, I could imagine how there might have been a lot more accidents on the road. Due to the increase of accidents in America, we now have law prohibiting the use of cell phones when operating a motor vehicle. There are numerous incidents in the news about how teens especially are getting into severe accidents because they are texting while driving. In my opinion texting while driving is even more dangerous than talking on your mobile phone, because you must take your eyes off the road numerous times to see what you are doing, WHILE watching the road. It is near impossible to do so and that is why there are countless victims in this case. It is a good thing that the government has come up with laws against using your cell phone while driving because it has prompted distributors to dispense hands-free products that help drivers all over America travel more safely than before. This has allowed companies such as Best Buy to make more money on such items as well as Verizon, T-Mobile and other mobile phone companies to do so as well. Although the government regulation over cell phone use has become inconvenient for some, it has helped prevent reckless driving. Surprisingly, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association only six states have banned hand-held cell phone usage. It is important for this law to be issued to more states because it may help reduce the amount of accidents in its area.
Among problems with the law, mobile phones have been known to affect the health of many individuals. Radio waves released above a certain level can cause unhealthy heating effects in the body. Therefore it is imperative not to stay on your mobile phone for too long and look for phones with lower SAR values, which are measures of how much radio wave activity your body receives from the phone. According to the Stewart Group, these things will help reduce your exposure to radio waves. As more and more people use mobile phones, they are exposing themselves to a form of radiation, which can lead to brain tumors and other health problems. Although researchers cannot decisively say this, there are more and more public officials with proof of such circumstances. The U.S Food and Drug Administration is inquiring the results of a Swedish study that claims new evidence of an increased risk of brain cancer amongst individuals who use cell phones.
While Government Officials and Health and Hazard are questioning the health and safety of mobile phones, it is inevitable that they will continue to be one of the most popular pieces of technology. “In 2008, for the first time, Americans are expected to spend more on cell phones than on landlines,” according to the U.S. Labor Department. As mobile phone use persists to grow, so do the health risks such as getting into an accident while driving as well as damaging your body internally. Someone may wonder why this would not stop people from using their cell phones or at least less often, but citizens are usually more concerned about the here and now instead of their future health.
http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/environment/land/mobile-phone-masts.htm
http://www.patentoffice.com/
