CBC Television's 'Cat Crazed' documentary premiers January 6, 2011

Cats were the main focus of discussions at the 2009 International Summit for Urban Animal Strategies (ISUAS). Amongst the group of industry thought leaders from across North America gathered there was a camera crew from Vancouver-based Bountiful Films. Maureen Palmer, Director, was in the early stages of research that would take her and her crew across North America and beyond to capture on film and celebrate our nation's love affair with cats and encourage a new relationship with North America's most popular pet: one where all cats are loved and none are abandoned.

According to CBC TV's promotional literature, the new documentary, Cat Crazed, marries documentary storytelling with Oscar-nominated animator Cordell Barker's comedic genius to delivery an irreverent take on the world's cat overpopulation crisis.

"We had the privilege of reviewing this film prior to its release and feel that it will be very valuable in terms of bringing various cat conversations together in 2011," says Larry Evans, President, PetLynx Corporation. "We are thrilled that this cat documentary premiers this week ... at the same time the industry launches the nation-wide Care for Cats public education campaign. The 2011 Year of the Cat is an initiative that was created as a direct result of  industry conversations that began at the 2009 Summit."

We invite you to watch this film and become involved in the conversations to improve the lives of our feline friends.

CAT CRAZED 2011 AIR DATES:

Check your local listing for air times

CBC Doc Zone, Thursday, January 6

CBC News Net, Friday,January 7

Repeat, Sunday, January 9

Watch a You-Tube Cat Crazed Video Trailer.

Posted by Terri Perrin, PetLynx Online Communications Editor

GenomeWeb reports Infringement Suit Filed Against MMI Genomics

December 29, 2010

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, along with other plaintiffs, have filed a patent infringement suit against MMI Genomics alleging infringement of a patent covering canine genetics.

The suit, which was recently filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, claims that Davis, Calif.-based MMI Genomics is infringing US Patent No. 7,729,863, a patent covering canine breed identification methods. The patent is assigned to the Hutch and was exclusively licensed to Argus Genetics and exclusively sublicensed to Mars, Inc. — both of which are listed as plaintiffs in the case.

According to the suit, MMI has directly infringed, and is inducing infringement of, one or more claims of the '863 patent through the sale of its Canine Heritage XL Breed Test product and associated services. The plaintiffs claim they have been damaged monetarily by the infringement, and MMI is liable for such damages, "and in no event less than a reasonable royalty."

The plaintiffs also seek a judgment that MMI has infringed the patent, an order to stop MMI from further infringement, damages, and pre- and post-judgment interest and costs.