wall-street.jpgSan Diego – Long Island couple Robert and Diane Maresca filed a trademark application for “Occupy Wall Street” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.  The “Occupy” movement began on Wall Street but has since spread to other cities and eventually other countries.  

Occupy Wall Street began on September 17, 2011 in Manhattan’s Financial District and is fighting against banks and corporations and the role of Wall Street in creating an economic collapse which has caused a global recession.

With the trademark application , the Marescas intend to create a variety of products including bumper stickers, t-shirts, bags and other similar goods.  The Marescas considered the phrase “We are the 99%.” but ultimately decided on “Occupy Wall Street” believing that it has more economic potential.  For more information, click here: New York Couple files for Occupy Wall Street.

fish.jpgLos Angeles – Plentyofish.com, a U.S. based dating website, lost in the High Court in England over its claims that it had rights to the Plenty O Fish trademark in the UK despite no trademark registration there.

Under intellectual property laws in the UK, a business must prove that its use of a trademark has established “goodwill” which is basically a good reputation to establish trademark rights.  Plentyofish.com argued that Plentymorefish.com, a paid, subscription-based service, was causing confusion among consumers.  Ultimately however the court ruled that Plentyofish.com had no trademark rights there.  For more regarding the case, click here: Plentymorefish.com wins in Dating Website Trademark Battle.

shampoo.jpgLos Angeles – Christy Prunier, a mother and businesswoman, has succeeded in a trademark battle with P&G and will retain the right to name her company “Willa” after her daughter.

When Ms. Prunier’s lotions, cleansers, and facial masks were ready to hit the market, she received a cease and desist letter from P&G who claimed that the Willa brand was too similar to its hair care line called Wella.  Though Ms. Prunier apparently saw the action as trademark bullying, it seems that confusion among consumers is definitely possible and so P&G was well within it’s rights in demanding that the use cease.

The Willa products are scheduled to be released in soon at U.S. retailers Target and J. Crew.  For more about the case, click here: P&G Allows use of Willa Trademark.

iphone.jpgLos Angeles – Fractal Systems recently filed a patent application for a fractal based wireless antenna that may lead to improved cell phone reception for all phone makers.  The patent is based on fractals placed on the surface of the device.

Inventor Nathan Cohen claims that his invention will solve recurring problems smartphone makers such as Apple have had with loss of signal strength from user contact with the antenna. If the antenna method does improve signal strength, you can expect smartphone manufacturers to form a line to license the technology in the continuing effort to improve cell phone reception and eliminate dropped calls.  For more information, click here: Fractal Patent help Eliminate Dropped Calls.

twitter.jpgLos Angeles – After a nearly three year battle, Twitter finally has exclusive rights to the Tweet trademark at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The problems began when Twittad, the largest advertising platform on Twitter, registered the “Let Your Ad Meet Tweets.” trademark first.  The judge ultimately agreed with Twitter’s argument that “tweet” was a word made famous before Twittad registered its trademark.  There was no comment on whether money was exchanged for abandonment of the trademark.  For more information, click here: Twitter Trademark Dispute.

ipad-iphone.jpgOrange County – Apple and Samsung have recently been engaged in patent litigation spanning the globe including the U.S., Japan, Australia, and throughout Europe.  

Apple initiated the litigation in April when it filed suit against Samsung in the United States alleging that the Samsung Galaxy infringed on its iPhone and iPad.  In response, Samsung counterclaimed alleging that Apple infringed its patents.  Now Samsung alleges that the iPhone 4S also infringes its patents covering WCDMA technology.

While Apple recently had favorable court rulings in Germany and The Hague which blocked Samsung products in those jurisdictions, the battle is far from over.   For more information click here: Samsung Alleges iPhone 4S is a Patent Infringement

wrist_watch.jpgLos Angeles – Youngblood Timepieces has sued Fossil and others for trademark and trade dress infringement alleging that its name and trade dress have been used without its authorization.  Also named in the lawsuit are Amazon.com, Zappos.com, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Sears, Urban Outfitters and Dillard’s.

Youngblood Timepieces emerged in 2007 and quickly gained popularity when A-list celebrities began wearing the watches.  The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction and unspecified damages.  For more information, click here: Fossil, Macy’s, and other Major Retailers Sued for Trademark Infringement

water-glass-of.jpgOrange County – U.S. Patent No. 8,012,352 recently issued to American Water Works Company for “Optimized Nutrient Removal from Wastewater.”  American Water is the largest public water utility company in the United States, servicing more than 16 million Americans in 32 states.

American Water believes that the new patented process will significantly decrease the energy costs associated with wastewater treatment.   Currently, the nutrient removal process is expensive, complicated and not necessarily environmentally friendly.   The new process allows for the sustainable removal of nutrients from water without the addition of carbon.  For more information click here: American Water Receives Patent for Wastewater Treatment Process.

apple-logo-gray.jpgSan Diego – The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“the TTAB”) upheld a decision to refuse protection for Apple’s trademark application for “Multi-Touch.”  The trademark is related to Apple’s iPhone, iPad and MacBook line of products. 

The TTAB decided that “Multi-Touch” was too descriptive to receive trademark protection, noting that the term “Multi-Touch” has been referenced in many scientific publications and the New York Times to describe certain computer related functions.  Part of the decision was that the term “Multi-Touch” identified a type of technology rather than designating a source of goods.  Click here for more information regarding the case: Apple Denied Trademark Protection for “Multi-Touch”. 

USPTO Image.jpgLos Angeles – Yesterday, as a result of the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, the USPTO began accepting requests for prioritized examination of patent applications.

The PTO’s goal of prioritized examination is to provide a final disposition on a patent application within twelve months of prioritized status being granted.  The associated non-refundable fee is $4,800 which is in addition to all other pre-existing fees.  This program is the latest in the PTO’s efforts to reduce the application backlog.   Currently, the patent application process can take 3 years or more.  The PTO is limited to accepting only 10,000 applications per year for prioritized examination.  For more information click here: Prioritized Examination of Patents Begins at the USPTO.