converse.jpgIPNews® – Shoe manufacturer Converse has filed trademark lawsuits against several major retailers and manufacturers alleging that they infringed on its trademarked Chuck Taylor design.

Converse, which is owned by Nike, has filed 22 different lawsuits against retail giants such as Wal-Mart and Kmart and manufacturers such as Skechers. The company alleges that the retailers and manufacturers are imitating the Chuck Taylor All Star design that has made the shoes popular with generations of Americans.  To continue reading, click: Converse Sues Retailers and Manufacturers to Protect its All Star Trademark Designs

white_house.jpgIPNews® – A company that markets individual retirement accounts is suing the U.S. Treasury Department alleging trademark infringement. 

In January, President Obama announced a special government program to help individuals save up for retirement with special Roth IRAs after which the U.S. Treasury sought to trademark “MyRA. In response, My Retirement Account Services, LLC filed the trademark infringement action and sought an injunction against the Treasury stating that is has had a registered trademark since 2011 for “GetMyRA.com.”  To continue reading, click: Company Files Action Against Obama’s MyRA Alleging Trademark Infringement

remotecontrol.jpgIPNews® – Apple has filed a patent application for a new kind of remote control with a graphic user interface, which may change the way we use remotes.

The updated remote control feature is also anticipated to generate more interest for the Apple TV.  The new device, according to the patent application, will get rid of the physical remote and utilize mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets instead.  To continue reading, click: Apple Seeks Patent for New Kind of Digital Remote Control

Grooveshark.jpgIPNews® – A federal judge in New York has ruled that Grooveshark, a free online music service, is liable for copyright infringement because it uploaded numerous songs without proper permission.

Grooveshark had argued that its actions were protected under the “safe harbor” provision of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.  But the judge disagreed and is expected to slap severe penalties on the company whose very existence is now in jeopardy.  To continue reading, click: Judge Rules Grooveshark Employees Committed Copyright Infringement

twitter.jpgIPNews® – Twitpic, the service that helped Twitter users share images, has announced that it will be acquired by a buyer following the threat of a shutdown earlier this month.

Twitpic’s founder Noah Everett said he would rather quit than launch an unwinnable trademark battle against Twitter which had opposed his trademark application for Twitpic. Twitter not only objected to Twitpic’s trademark application filing, but also threatened to cut off the image-hosting site’s access to its application programming interface (API).  To continue reading, click: Twitpic Resurrected Following Twitter Trademark Dispute

candy-reeses.jpgIPNews® – The Hershey Company is waging a trademark war against candy importer LBB Imports LLC accusing it of infringing its trademarks for famous brand names including Reese’s and Kit Kat.

Hershey has argued that LBB is violating both its trademarks and trade dress. The candy maker is asking the court to block the infringement, order LBB to destroy the products involved and pay for corrective advertising to fix the harm done to Hershey.  To continue reading, click: Hershey Files Trademark Lawsuit against Candy Importer

rocket-engines.jpgIPNews® – Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are butting heads over a patent application from Blue Origin that claims rights to a procedure for landing booster rockets at sea.

SpaceX has filed its objections stating that the technology and science outlined in the patent are nothing new and that it does not warrant a patent.  If the patent is approved, SpaceX may not be able use the water-landing approach described in the patent.  To continue reading, click: Tesla and Amazon Founders Clash Over Space Flight Patent

bucket.jpgIPNews® – The ALS Association has backed away from trademark applications that it filed for terms relating to the Ice Bucket Challenge, which gained momentum on social media and brought in more than $94 million for the group.

ALSA officials said they attempted to trademark the terms with the blessing of the families that started the challenge, so no one else would misuse them. However, after getting negative feedback, the group has decided to abandon the applications.  To continue reading, click: ALS Association Backs Away from Ice Bucket Challenge Trademark

tesla.jpgIPNews® – Tesla has announced that it has amicably and completely resolved a trademark dispute in China making way for CEO Elon Musk to grow the company’s brands in the world’s largest automobile market.

Tesla was locked in a legal battle with Zhan Baosheng, who registered the Tesla trademark before the California-based carmaker came to China. But, with the matter resolved, Tesla expects to have undisputed rights to its trademarks in China.  To continue reading, click: Tesla Trademark Dispute in China Resolved

Comic Con.jpgIPNews® – The special appearance of Homer Simpson’s hologram at the Comic-Con conference in San Diego last month has given rise to a patent infringement lawsuit against 20th Century Fox.

Alki David’s Hologram USA, Musion Das Hologram and Uwe Maass have stated that the defendant used the patented hologram technology without their permission. Fox representatives maintain that the lawsuit is without merit.  To continue reading, click: Homer Simpson Hologram at Comic-Con Spurs Patent Lawsuit