GOOD DAY FOR: Guitar disharmony, after Gibson sued video game maker Activision for patent infringement on in its wildly successful “Guitar Hero” games. Activision already pays Gibson an undisclosed amount in royalties for the game. But “Gibson clearly believes the patent could be worth a lot more than the royalties,” said Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian. (Los Angeles Times, free registration)
BAD DAY FOR: Getting what you pay for, as it cost the U.S. Mint 1.7 cents to make a penny last year, amid sharply rising metal prices. Each nickel cost 9.5 cents. This situation has prompted a bill in Congress that would give the Mint more flexibility in determining the makeup of coins. It has also renewed calls to abolish the penny. (MarketWatch)
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