Cheese.jpgIPNews® – A federal court ruling on Tuesday ended a years-long battle between two cheese manufacturers over patent infringement on cheese vat designs.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to uphold the decision of a U.S. District Court in finding Cheese Systems, Inc. liable for patent infringement.  The court rejected the argument by Cheese Systems that the patent held by Tetra Pak Cheese and Powder Systems, Inc. was invalid.  To continue reading, click: Circuit Court Upholds Ruling on Cheese Vat Patent Infringement

glasses.jpgIPNews® – The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board last Thursday approved Sutro Product Development, Inc.’s attempt to trademark the sound that its eyeglasses make while snapping open.

This decision overturned years of rejections by examining attorneys, who had ruled that the three click sound was a functional element of the hinge, and therefore not eligible to be trademarked.  Sutro first applied for trademark protection for its three click sound in 2008.  To continue reading, click: Sound Trademark for Click of Eyeglasses Granted on Appeal

apple-store.jpgIPNews® – The legal contest between smartphone developers Apple and Samsung continues, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark office ruled to throw out the major claims of one of Apple’s key patents.

This decision by the USPTO could dramatically alter the damages that Samsung is expected to pay Apple as a result of the jury decision last year in the case between the two companies.  The patent technology at issue is known as “pinch to zoom.”  To continue reading, click: Setback for Apple’s “Pinch to Zoom” Patent Claims against Samsung

belt-buckle.jpgIPNews® – Two online retailers, JustFab.com and Fab.com, are embroiled in a fight over rights to the trademark “Fab,” with JustFab.com filing a lawsuit against its “fab” opponent in Federal Court.

The complaint, filed in California’s Central District, alleges trademark infringement by Fab.com as well as unfair competition by the company.  JustFab.com is petitioning for Fab.com to cease all use of the trademarks at issue and for the company to pay damages.  To continue reading, click: The Trademark Fight for “Fab” Between Online Retailers Heads to Court

baby.jpgIPNews® – A Judge on Monday dismissed a case made by SCA Hygiene Products claiming patent infringement for diapers manufactured by First Quality Baby Products LLC.

SCA became aware of First Quality’s infringing diapers in 2003, but failed to proceed with filing a lawsuit until 2010.  Judge McKinley ruled in this case that SCA took too long to proceed, which deliberately misled First Quality into believing that SCA’s patent infringement allegations would not be pursued.  To continue reading, click Judge Dismisses Patent Infringement Claims between Rival Diaper Companies

facebook.jpgIPNews® – A two-judge panel on Tuesday sided with Facebook and rejected the trademark application for FaceMail by Think Computer, arguing that it would lead to a likelihood of confusion among consumers.

Facebook sponsored two studies to support its assertion that the name FaceMail would lead consumers to believe Think Computer’s use of the name was associated with Facebook.  Facebook’s own email system has been dubbed “Facemail” in popular press releases and news articles.  To continue reading, click: Facebook Scores Victory and Blocks FaceMail Trademark

google.jpgIPNews® – A federal appeals court ruling on Monday brought a major victory for technology companies Google, Yahoo and Amazon.com against patent infringement claims brought by Eolas Technologies.

Michael Doyle, the founder of Eolas, obtained a patent in 1998 which he claimed included protection for all interactive elements of websites.  Since then, he has has won millions in judgments and settlements but this latest case has dealt a major blow.  To continue reading, click: Major Victory for Tech Firms Against “Plug-In” Patent Infringement Claims

green_eggs_ham.jpgIPNews® – Former hip-hop collaborators Will.i.am and Pharrell Williams will now be facing off in U.S. Federal Court over the trademark “I am.”

Will.i.am, whose real name is William Adams, has established an LLC featuring a family of trademarks that all begin with “I am.”  Pharrell Williams recently founded I am Other Entertainment, LLC, which Will.i.am claims infringes his trademarks.  To continue reading, click: Will.i.am and Pharrell Argue Green Eggs and Ham in Trademark Lawsuit over I AM

purse-1.jpgIPNews® – Luxury fashion brand Michael Kors filed a complaint alleging false advertising against wholesale giant Costco on July 9, after photos surfaced of Costco using photos of Michael Kors purses in online advertising.

Michael Kors alleges that Costco is not an authorized retailer of its merchandise and that the photo would make customers believe its handbags are for sale at Costco.  Costco is also facing similar charges of trademark infringement by Tiffany & Co. for sale of “Tiffany”-brand engagement rings that were not authorized by Tiffany.  To continue reading, click:  Costco under Fire for use of Michael Kors Trademark in Advertisement

dashboard.jpgIPNews® – Activision TV, Inc. filed patent infringement claims against Mazda Motor of America, Inc., alleging that Mazda violated its two patents for electronic display systems operated by a remote control.

Mazda claims the infringing products were manufactured by a supplier and that they had no role in the production of the product.  Activision has also filed a lawsuit against Harley-Davidson, Inc., CenturyLink, Inc. and Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., claiming infringement of the same patents.  To continue reading, click: Activision Takes on Mazda over Patent Infringement