IPNews® – The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a copyright decision that requires copyright owners to obtain a copyright registration before filing a copyright infringement lawsuit.
The process to obtain a copyright registration can take more than a year in some cases. So, copyright owners may be stuck waiting for a copyright registration while their works are actively being infringed. To continue reading, click: U.S. Supreme Court Requires Copyright Registration to File Lawsuit
IPNews® – Alfonso Ribeiro has recently sued video game creators over use of the Carlton Dance from the popular show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
As part of the lawsuit Ribeiro filed three copyright applications and two out of the three applications have now been denied. If the decisions refusing the applications stand, it will likely end the lawsuits. To continue reading, click: Fortnite Copyright Lawsuits Hurt by Copyright Office Denial
IPNews® – McDonald’s has lost its Big Mac trademark registration in Europe.
The decision came after a competitor called Supermac’s challeged McDonalds’ trademark registration due to a lack of use. In response to the decision, Burger King has changed its menu to poke fun at its top competitor. To continue reading, click: McDonald’s Loses the Big Mac Trademark in Europe
IPNews® – The Supreme Court recently decided to hear a case regarding federal protection of trademarks that are denied protection based on vulgarity.
The case Iancu v. Brunetti concerns a trademark for the word FUCT and whether it deserves federal trademark protection. This case follows Matal v. Tam which was a landmark case involving a trademark for the term “The Slants”. To continue reading, click: Supreme Court Faces Decision on Trademark Protection of ‘Scandalous’ Brands
IPNews® – In what appears to be an increasing trend, the U.S. Supreme Court has its hands full lately with Intellectual Property related cases.
The October 2018 term is slated for five intellectual property related cases. One of the cases relates primarily to trademarks, with two copyright related cases and two patent related cases. To continue reading, click: U.S. Supreme Court Increases Review of Intellectual Property Cases
IPNews® – A viral photo of President Donald Trump at a wedding in New Jersey turned into a case of copyright infringement.
The photo was taken by a wedding guest and after being published to social media ultimately ended up being used by multiple news outlets. Hearst Communications was recently held liable for using the photo without any right to do so. To continue reading, click: Donald Trump, Wedding Crasher, Becomes Copyright Infringement Case.
IPNews® – A recent lawsuit initiated by Levi Strauss has sparked debate over the extent of trademark protection over a tag on apparel.
Levi Strauss has sued Yves Saint Laurent over the tabs on the back pockets of jeans. Levi Strauss is claiming that consumers associate the tags with its products and any similar use by another apparel maker will cause confusion among consumers. To continue reading, click: Levi Strauss Fights for Trademark on Pocket Tab
IPNews® – President Donald Trump found himself in hot water again recently related to his use of Twitter.
The president made a tweet that mimicked HBO’s Game of Thrones’ “Winter is Coming” phrase but instead stated “Sanctions are Coming”. The tweet used and image and font that brings to mind the popular HBO show. To continue reading, click: HBO Has Trademark Issue with Trump
IPNews® – What appeared to start as an April fools day joke has become reality for Tesla.
While it seemed that Elon Musk was making a joke in April about starting a new brand of Teslaquila distilled spirits, it is no longer a joke. Last week Tesla filed for the Teslaquila trademark in the United States and it seeks priority to a trademark filing in Jamaica in April. To continue reading, click: Tesla Files Teslaquila Trademark for Liquor
IPNews®- Former Jacksonville Jaguars player Dan Skuta is trying to trademark the term “Sacksonville” against the wishes of the Jaguars.
After Skuta abandoned his application in 2016, he re-applied for the trademark and then filed an opposition to the Jaguars’ application. Skuta states that he has been selling merchandise featuring the Sacksonville logo since 2015 with the full support of the team. To continue reading, click: A Former Jaguars NFL Player Claims He Owns the Trademark “Sacksonville”