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Among his survivors are his sons Harold Good Jr. and Larry Good, both of Long Beach, Calif.; and daughter, Janice Jordon of Bell Flower, Calif.
Cremation was at Walton’s Sierra Crematory. Walton’s Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.
The Obama administration wants to crack down on abusive court cases brought patent trolls, such as Intellectual Ventures.
The Obama administration issued a stern rebuke of so-called "patent trolls" Tuesday, in an attempt to stop those whom the White House says manipulate the patent system for undue financial gain.
The White House directed the United States Patent and Trademark Office to take five new actions that would help stem the rising tide of patent-related lawsuits tying up the court system. Many patent-holding companies with no intention of ever releasing products have made an entire business model out of suing other companies for patent infringement.
The USPTO will now require that patent-holding companies disclose who really stands to benefit from a lawsuit and identify the ultimate patent holder for each application and assigned patent. In many cases, patent-holding entities will create shell companies that allow them to hide their identities, the scope of their portfolios, and connections with other patent-holders.
The White House also wants the USPTO to train examiners to cut down on overly broad patent claims, educate small inventors about how to deal with patent trolls, and expand its outreach to inventors to help develop policies and laws.
In addition, the administration ordered a review of the U.S. International Trade Commission, which has the ability to ban imports of goods deemed to infringe on patents. Patent-holding companies are increasingly taking their claims to the ITC, and the White House would like their enforcement decisions to be made more transparent and efficient.
The Obama administration has made patent reform a priority, passing the first major overhaul of the patent system since 1952. That 2011 bill allowed the USPTO to set its own fees, gave patents to the first inventor to file a claim, and aimed to help keep some cases out of the courts. But the president clearly wants more to be done.
On a Google (GOOG) Hangout in February, Obama said patent trolls abuse a system that was designed to protect inventions and foster innovation.
"They don't actually produce anything themselves," Obama said. "They're just trying to essentially leverage and hijack somebody else's idea and see if they can extort some money out of them."
Intellectual Ventures is a notorious example of a "patent troll" company. The research firm, based around the corner from Microsoft's headquarters in the Seattle area, acquires thousands of patents and has a research lab to develop its own. Yet it has no products to speak of. The company engages in constant patent litigation, and many tech companies have accused Intellectual Ventures of stifling innovation.
Intellectual Ventures said it is reviewing the administration's actions but declined comment for this story.
The White House also asked Congress to pass laws that would have an even greater impact to curb "abusive" lawsuits.
Among the recommendations are protections for consumers sued by patent trolls, ensuring that the ITC has flexibility to hire qualified judges, and awarding attorney's fees for court filings deemed to be "abusive."
Many technology giants have supported the administration's actions on patent reform. Tech companies are among the most-sued firms by patent trolls, and many have annual legal fees that outweigh their yearly spending on research and development. Patent lawsuits involving Apple (AAPL), Samsung, Google, Oracle (ORCL), Nokia (NOK), Microsoft (MSFT) make daily headlines, often resulting in payouts totaling billions of dollars.
Google, whose chairman Eric Schmidt is an outspoken friend of the Obama administration, has stated that it will no longer proactively sue other companies for abuse of open-source software patents. A Google spokesman said the company welcomes the White House's actions on Tuesday.
The Association for Competitive Technology industry association, of which Microsoft, Apple, Intel (INTC) and Facebook (FB) are sponsors, praised the executive actions.
"The patent system is critical to the innovation economy, but patent trolls are endangering startups around the world," said Morgan Reed, ACT's executive director, in a statement.
Are you an entrepreneur or small business that has dealt with possible bad-faith claims of patent infringement? Email parija.bhatnagar@turner.com and you may be included in an upcoming story on CNNMoney.com.
President Juan Manuel Santos and Timoleon Jimenez, the head of the left-wing rebel group, announced a historic cease-fire in Havana.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Timoleon Jimenez, the head of FARC, the left-wing rebel group, announced in Havana a historic cease-fire in the more than five-decade-long conflict.
The agreement could lead to a peace deal between the two sides; the conflict has killed more than 200,000 people.
Signs of a possible end to the bloody conflict emerged last fall when the Colombian and FARC leaders announced—after three years of talks—their intention to sign a definitive peace agreement within six months. The efforts came after multiple appeals for peace in the country from Pope Francis.
In March, the government also announced it will begin talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia’s second-largest rebel group.
[The] announcement came as the Colombian government is nearing a final peace deal with FARC. Those talks are now centered on how FARC’s rebels will disarm—an issue that is likely to come up with ELN, too. Analysts see the prospect of a peace deal with ELN as a sweetener to FARC to disarm and reach an agreement with the government.
Apple Just Won a Major Victory Against the F.B.I.
The ruling could have Supreme Court implications.
Apple has won a critical battle in its ongoing war with the feds. On Monday, a federal judge in New York ruled against the U.S. government in a case that would have compelled Apple to help bypass a locked iPhone’s passcode security. The ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein is part of a case against Jun Feng, who pleaded guilty to drug charges last year. When searching Feng’s house, law enforcement found an iPhone 5S, to which Feng claimed to not remember the passcode. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration then asked the F.B.I. to figure out how to unlock the phone.
The F.B.I. tried to use the All Writs Act to force Apple to unlock Feng’s iPhone last year, but Apple refused to comply. "We’re being forced to become an agent of law enforcement," an Apple lawyer said in court at the time. Judge Orenstein, siding with Apple, said in his 50-page ruling that the law does not “justif[y] imposing on Apple the obligation to assist the government’s investigation against its will.” The All Writs Act, a 200-year-old law, is used as justification for many government requests to get data from tech companies. It’s the same law the F.B.I. is currently attempting to use to compel Apple to help unlock an iPhone connected to last year’s San Bernardino terrorist attack.
Apple’s battle against the F.B.I. in the San Bernardino case is similar, in some respects, to the Jun Feng case. A federal judge issued Apple a court order that would let the government access the data on an iPhone 5C used by one of the killers in the recent San Bernardino mass shooting. Apple C.E.O. Tim Cook then published an open letter in response to the federal court order, in which he said Apple wouldn’t cooperate; doing so would set a legal precedent giving the government access to encrypted Apple data, he argued. The battle rages on, with tech big shots like Facebook C.E.O. Mark Zuckerberg, Google C.E.O. Sundar Pichai, and Bill Gates jumping into the fray. Some family members of victims and survivors of the San Bernardino shooting have come out in support of Apple, too.
F.B.I. director James Comey and Bruce Sewell, Apple’s senior vice president and general counsel, will testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday, discussing matters like encryption, national security, and privacy. Apple feels it should not have to unlock any one of its devices, because it would go against its customers’ expectations of privacy; the F.B.I. argues that unlocking one device is an isolated incident related to national security.
The New York ruling is not binding and will almost certainly be appealed, but it is a victory for Apple that’s expected to have implications if the San Bernardino case eventually makes its way to the Supreme Court. It’s the first decision that directly addresses these issues between Apple and the U.S. government, and, “What today’s ruling proves is that Apple’s objections to the order aren’t frivolous and indeed might well be meritorious,” said Steven Vladeck, a professor at American University’s Washington College of the Law.
A senior Apple executive, speaking anonymously, told reporters on a call Monday that the Jun Feng case is similar to the pending San Bernardino case. As such, this executive said, the New York ruling will likely have a “persuasive effect” moving forward, setting a legal precedent that will have implications if and when the San Bernardino case reaches the Supreme Court. Apple will likely cite the district court’s ruling in its petition to the Supreme Court, and during its argument.
When the 228 Incident first broke out in 1947, the editorial in the government-owned Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News expressed sympathy for the victims and criticized the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau for going after illegal cigarette vendors, who were trying to make ends meet, instead of cigarette smugglers.
When this editorial was published, Shin Sheng was managed by Juan Chao-jih (阮朝日), a native of Pingtung who had been in the newspaper business since 1932. Of course, the editorial had to claim that the agents had violated governor-general Chen Yi’s (陳儀) “peaceful orders” before calling for their prosecution.
But an editorial published on March 28, titled 228 Was Not a Civil Uprising, has a completely different tone.
“The conspirators were scheming traitors with political ambition along with lackeys of the former Japanese government, and the followers were local hoodlums, gangsters and students who were either forced or provoked into participation,” it stated.
It could be explained that the newspaper became more cautious with its words with martial law declared on March 4 and other private newspapers being shut down and staff members arrested.
But rewind three days and look at March 25 edition, introducing the paper’s new management, both officials who arrived from China after World War II: general manager Mao Ying-chang (毛應章), a major-general with the Taiwan Garrison Command, and editor-in-chief Chang Kao (張?), an advisory officer at the Taiwan Provincial Administration Agency.
By that time, Juan, original deputy editor-in-chief Wu Chin-lien (吳金鍊) and several other staff members had already been missing for nearly two weeks.
“Some have had their minds poisoned by the remnants of the Japanese, while others are trying to spread communism in Taiwan,” it stated.
One would think that a government paper would remain free of the nationwide newspaper purge. The paper did remain safe as far as being one of the few that were continuously published during the incident’s aftermath, but it was a different story for its staff.
Juan’s daughter, Juan Mei-shu (阮美姝) was 18 years old when her father was arrested on March 12. She remembers her father, who was bedridden with chronic asthma, refusing to flee when the purge began.
She says that he had done nothing wrong.
The younger Juan writes in her book on her father’s disappearance that she found it odd that the newspaper continued to operate as though nothing had happened after the disappearance of its two top editors.
She then spent the next 40-odd years searching for answers to her father’s disappearance. She writes that she even received a response from Chen Yi, stating that Juan was a very important person for Taiwan’s future and the government had no reason to arrest him.
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For general information about SAA, visit our homepage here. Below are frequently asked questions regarding membership and benefits.
What is the SAA Fee Pledge?
The SAA fee pledge was a way for students to join the Student Alumni Association (SAA) while in school and become fully paid life members of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA) upon graduation. The fees are distributed through quarterly MyBill charges. This service is no longer available.
What is the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA)?
The Cal Aggie Alumni Association creates lifelong ambassadors for UC Davis and enriches the lives of alumni, students and friends worldwide. You can learn about CAAA membership here.
How much does a CAAA life membership cost if you choose not to sign-up for SAA while attending UC Davis?
Recent graduates are offered a discounted membership for five years after graduating. For current rates, click here.
Why is joining the SAA as a student a better way to join CAAA?
SAA membership conversion to CAAA life membership is easy! Our installment plans ensure your status as an active member. While you are an SAA member you can take advantage of all programming, events and benefits. The intent is to eliminate the need for recent graduates to come up with a large sum of money to join the alumni association and stay connected to UC Davis.
Where does the money from SAA dues go?
Dues provide membership benefits for SAA and CAAA members. One half of the fee is used for event programming and benefit services, while the other half goes into a Life Member Reserve Endowment to enable CAAA to provide a baseline of benefits to life members through the course of their lives.
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Your key tag is issued when you register. If you did not receive it, contact alumni@ucdavis.edu to request your key tag or go to the Walter A Buehler Alumni Center. Your key tag is necessary to get into all SAA affiliated events and is required to access many of the benefits and discounts. If you lose your key tag the first replacement is free, but a fee of $5 will be charged for additional replacements.
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To opt out, you must come in person to the CAAA office, located in the Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center, fill out a cancellation form and turn in your key tag. A cancellation fee of $35 will be issued if the key tag is not returned.
Where can I find a full list of the membership benefits?
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Don’t Miss Rush on Fox News Sunday — for Two Segments!
RUSH: I just heard from the Fox News Sunday people. As you know… Well, maybe you don’t know, because I really haven’t touted it enough. I’ve only mentioned it once. See, talking about myself is never at the forefront of my mind. But anyway, they’re going to have me on in two segments. I was originally going to be on the third segment for 12 minutes, which would start around 9:28.
But now they’re going to have me open the show and then come back later in the show. So I’m going to be first… I don’t know what the first segment length is, but it will be that and then back in the hour. They’ll have two panels, one before the second segment of mine and then their usual show wrap-up panel after my segment. The second segment is 12 minutes. That will be the biggie. But they’ve added. Essentially, they were going to have me on at 9:28.
Fine and dandy. They’ve now added another segment at the top of the program. So I wanted to make sure you knew. I haven’t talked about it, just that one time. (interruption) Oh, they’re going to tell me what the topics are. They never lie to me about the topics, and they never don’t tell me. Yeah, I’m sure. I can tell you right now what it’s going to be. My guess. It’s going to be Florida and the guns within the context of gun control that everybody else is demanding.
They probably will bring up this indictment from the Russians. No question about that. That will be discussed, and they’ll probably ask, “How do you think Trump is doing in general?” and then maybe something on immigration. They may ask me how my life’s going at the end. You just never know. But if I had to guess, those will be the three primary things. And I’ve got to remind you — I have to remind you.
You’re all snarky in there. You think this is…? (interruption) Well, he has to interrupt me. (interruption) Well, he conducts an interview and after a certain passage of time, after I’ve answered a question he’ll move on and ask a follow-up question or a new question. He routinely tells me that he is bombarded with complaint emails from people who listen to this program and are mad at him for stopping me, for interrupting.
So before each appearance he asks me to tell you that it’s okay when he interrupts, that it’s a “formatic” requirement for them. I say, “I’ll tell the audience each and every year not to give you any grief.” So any other questions about this? (interruption) Okay. So that’s that. Fox News Sunday. It’s not the Fox News Channel. This is the Fox broadcast channel. Whatever in your market the Fox NFL Sunday is on, wherever the football game is broadcast.
Jarrett Sparks stood in front of the Pitman crowd clapping his hands as the final seconds ticked down.
Earlier in the game, the Merced senior pumped his fist after making a shot in the lane.
It was a rare show of emotion for the quiet Merced star.
Sparks had plenty of reason to celebrate after Merced's 61-56 win Wednesday night at Merced High.
"I didn't want to fall behind them and have to wait for them to lose a game."
Merced (2-0 CCC, 10-7) again won with its defense.
Sparks and company harrassed Pitman's shooters, which hit 12 3-pointers in a blowout win over Golden Valley last week.
Pitman (1-1, 10-5) made only two treys against Merced.
Sparks and center Kenny Cooper helped Merced take control of the game midway through the second quarter.
The two combined to score 17 of Merced's 19 second-quarter points.
Merced finished the half with a 10-0 run to take a 33-20 lead into the third quarter.
Cooper finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
Merced built the lead as high as 19 points in the third quarter.
However, Pitman didn't go away.
Austin Keaton and Adam Lewallen -- who both finished with 18 points apiece -- spearheaded Pitman's 17-5 run to start the fourth quarter.
Merced played the fourth quarter like it was 10 points behind, hoisting up early shots.
All of sudden Merced saw its lead cut to 54-50 with 1:27 left.
That's when Bernard Bolden turned in the play of the game.
The 5-foot-9 junior showed why he was the CCC Defensive Player of the Year this fall in football, when he stole a pass and raced down for a dunk to that brought Merced's crowd to their feet.
"I saw the ball and it was like football all over again," Bolden said. "I felt like I was a defensive back and I intercepted the pass. When I was all alone, in my mind all I could think was I have to dunk."
Whatever momentum Pitman had was gone as Bolden put Merced ahead 56-50 with 1:15 left.
"I was a little bit surprised to see him dunk," Merced coach Marcus Knott said. "I knew he was capable of it.
"It's not something you expect at that point of the game. At first I was like, 'What are you doing?' And then after it was like, 'OK, good job.'"

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