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

monkey.jpgIPNews® – British photographer David Slater is embroiled in a debate over the self-portrait taken by a monkey, which the animal shot using his unattended equipment three years ago.

Wikimedia Commons, a database of millions of images and videos that are free for public use, is arguing that the image was shot by an animal and thus it is not subject to copyright protection. But Slater says he spent time, money and effort to get that image for which he should be compensated with royalties. To continue reading, click: Monkey Business: Who Owns the Copyright to a Selfie Taken by a Monkey?

pig.jpgIPNews® – The University of Arkansas has trademarked the sounds contained in its famous Hog Call – Wooo Pig Sooie!

This trademark means that the Hog Call cannot be used by anyone for commercial purposes without permission or a license from the University of Arkansas.  This trademark joins a line of famous sound trademarks which you may not know are registered trademarks.  To continue reading, click: University of Arkansas Gets Sound Trademark on Its Famous Hog Call

tattoo.jpgIPNews® – San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick obtained the copyright waivers from two tattoo artists who designed and inked the tattoos on his biceps.

The arm tattoos will be on display in Kaepernick’s digital avatar in the new “Madden” video game to be released next month. The past has shown that those that reproduce tattoos without the permission of the artist risk being sued for copyright infringement.  To continue reading, click: 49ers Quarterback Obtained Copyright Waivers for Video Games

basketball.jpgIPNews® – San Diego State University has set out to trademark the chant “I believe that we will win!” which was recently popularized by the U.S. soccer team during the World Cup.

San Diego State University’s basketball team has been using this chant for the last few years as have other schools, such as Navy and Utah State.  School officials say their goal is to not prevent other teams from using the chant during games, but to make sure they can continue using the phrase on merchandise.  To continue reading click:  San Diego State Seeks “We Believe That We Will Win” Trademark

Glass-google.jpgIPNews® – Chinese tech giant Lenovo might have a plan to compete with Google Glass in the wearable technology market.

Lenovo has filed a U.S. patent for a device that looks like Google Glass, featuring an audio and video recorder and built-in displays. This may mean that a lot more competition is to come in the wearable technology market, potentially making such cutting-edge technology more mainstream and affordable.  To continue reading, click: Lenovo Files Patent for Wearable Technology Similar to Google Glass

cable.jpgIPNews® – The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that the start-up tech firm Aereo, which distributes television signals over the Internet, is operating in violation of the Copyright Act.  

Aereo’s service, available in 11 major metro areas, was a much cheaper alternative to cable and satellite television at the price of $12 a month.  This decision would essentially sound the death knell for Aereo and other companies that aspire to provide a similar service.  To continue reading, click: Aereo Loses Supreme Court Copyright Battle to Networks’ Delight

football.jpgIPNews® – The bid to change the name of the Washington Redskins football team has gained momentum after a ruling by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that the name is “disparaging.”  

The ruling has stepped up financial and political pressure on the team’s owner Daniel Snyder.  Supporters of the name change say that a team and its owner should not benefit from a name that is basically a racial slur.  To continue reading, click: Washington Redskins Trademark Cancelled, Held to be Disparaging