church.jpgIPNews® – After Walter McGill named a small congregation in Tennessee “Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church”, the Seventh-day Adventist church requested that he cease use but McGill refused. 

Thereafter, McGill lost a District Court lawsuit and appeals to both the Sixth Circuit and the Supreme Court.  McGill was finally arrested after refusing a court order to remove signs on his property that used the Seventh-day Adventist trademark.  To continue reading, click: Tennessee Pastor arrested in Trademark Infringement Case

purse.jpgIPNews® – Gucci announced last week that it has won a trademark infringement lawsuit against the grandsons of its famous founder Guccio Gucci.

Guccio and Alessandro Gucci began their own company called ToBeG in 2008 chosing to use the Gucci name in advertising though not on the products themselves.  An Italian court determined that use of the Gucci trademark in marketing communications and website activities created a likelihood confusion among consumers.  To continue reading click: Gucci Wins Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Against Grandsons

facebook.jpgIPNews® – After a 6 year wait, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was finally awarded a patent for his invention governing, of all things, privacy settings.

Patent number 8,225,376 covers technology that enables Facebook users to customize the way their profile appears to other users.  The patent was originally rejected for being obvious, but after much effort it finally issued.  To continue reading, click: Facebook CEO Awarded Patent After 6 Year Wait

ipad-iphone.jpgIPNews® – Jury selection begins today in the Apple v. Samsung, iPad v. Galaxy, patent war. 

With Apple scoring a victory in the European Union, and Samsung scoring a similar victory in the United Kingdom, the decision in the U.S. could clearly go either way.  Check out a very interesting article by Martha C. White at NBCNews.com which we happen to be quoted in.  To continue reading, click: Apple v. Samsung Patent Trial

watch.jpgIPNews ® – This week Rolex lost its ongoing trademark battle in the UK with up-and-coming luxury jewelry retailer Rox. 

Rolex Opposed use of the Rox trademark alleging that ongoing use would cause confusion among consumers and damage the Rolex brand.  However, after reviewing the case, the UK Examiner determined that there was no infringement on the Rolex trademark because the two trademarks were tooy different.  To continue reading, click: Rolex Trademark Battle With Rox

dvd-blue.jpgIPNews® – Lionsgate, Mandate Pictures and Summit Entertainment announced recently that they prevailed in a trademark infringement lawsuit against Eastland Music Group over use of the trademark 50/50. 

The Illinois music company argued that release of the critically acclaimed movie 50/50 on DVD caused confusion among consumers and damage to its goodwill.  However, U.S. District Court Judge George Lindberg disagreed, denied the request for an injunction and dismissed the case.  To continue reading, click: Lionsgate Prevails Over Use of 50/50 Trademark

iPad.jpgIPNews® – This week, Apple announced that it has been granted an injunction in the European Union against the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7.

German Courts determined that Samsung had copied Apple’s 2004 designs and consequently banned distribution of the Galaxy Tab 7.7.  However, Samsung obtained a very different outcome in a case decided in the United Kingdom, and awaits a similar decision in the United States.  To continue reading, click: Apple Granted EU Ban For Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7

iphone.jpgIPNews® – Apple recently announced that it has been granted 25 new patents, including one that is being described as the “mother of all smartphone patents”. 

The most important of the recent patents is patent number 8,223,134 which covers the graphical interfaces that Apple designed for use with its iPhone and other multi-touch applications.  The new patent will likely play a critical part in ongoing patent infringement lawsuits against competitors and may one up the Google Android technology.  To continue reading, click: Apple Granted Mother of all Smartphone Patents

medical_instruments.jpgIPNews® – Titan Medical announced this week that it has been granted a patent for a snaking robotic arm with moveable shapers. 

Patent number 8,224,485 applies to technology designed to assist medical professionals with surgical procedures that might create a high degree of risk, or might not otherwise be possible.  The newly patented technology cements Titan’s position in the robotic medical devices field.  To continue reading, click: Titan Medical Issued Patent For Robotic Arm

shack.jpgIPNews® – Dallas based HomeVestors of America is suing its competitor House Buyer Network and Duane LeGate for trademark infringement, unfair competition, unjust enrichment, injury to business reputation and breach of contract. 

The Complaint alleges that LeGate and Home Buyer Network violated a settlement agreement in which they agreed to transfer a number of domain names to HomeVestors and stop purchasing keywords that incorporate HomeVestor’s registered trademarks.  The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, asks for treble and exemplary damages, injunction to prevent further use of its trademarks, attorney’s fees and court costs.  To continue reading, click: We Buy Ugly Houses Lawsuit