Every week, The Competitive Insight lists the Utah patents and trademarks pursued by Utah businesses and individuals.  These filings are insight into the competitive landscape here in Utah.  I'll be giving recognition to the most interesting ones (by my completely arbitrary and capricious standards at the moment I decide) that come across my desk.  Here's my favorites from this week.

Patents of the Week

7,303,040

Active vehicle hood system and method

David J. Green, Brigham City, UT; Guy R. Letendre, Ogden, UT; Brent A. Parks, Englewood, CO; Michael Schramm, Perry, UT; Roman Zlotnikov, Salt Lake City, UT; Bradley W. Smith, Ogden, UT; Michael P. Jordan, South Weber, UT; Michael J. Ravenberg, Corrine, UT

Autolive ASP, Inc., Ogden, UT

It's a fancy name for an automatic hood popper.  However, the reason behind it is the important part.  It helps save lives.  Apparently, if the hood pops at the right time, both pedestrians and vehicle occupants have a better chance at survival/less damage.  This is an invention that can help the average person.

7,303,192

Drop turn target

Thomas Marshall, Lake Shore, UT; Kyle E. Burdette, Eagle Mountain, UT; Kyle E. Bateman, Provo, UT; Chris Butterfield, Payson, UT

Action Target, Inc., Provo, UT

Now we move from saving lives to targets to be shot.  Some would say that its a contradiction.  I'd say that I want the people carrying guns to be well practiced.  (Disclosure momemt - Action Target is a client of mine, and I'm impressed with how they are continually working to improve training equipment for police officers, the military and even recreational shooters).

Trademark of the Week

GRADUATE DEBT FREE	RM Jobs.com, LLC	Provo, UT

While this mark is pretty descriptive, I like it because I am a big fan of people staying out of debt.  (I also wish I had been better at it in my younger days).  If you can do it while going to college, more power to you.  It is funny how those early habits hang with you for the rest of your life.