Here’s some news for brands, creators, and other entities developing nonconforming names or entertainment content. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that FUCT and other profane, “scandalous” or “immoral” words may be registered as trademarks. Read more.
June 26, 2019
Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued two unanimous decisions affecting the rights and remedies available to copyright owners. Read more.
March 5, 2019
On May 25, 2018, the European Union's new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will take effect. Read more.
May 10, 2018
New York Court Holds Embedding Social Media Posts May Constitute Copyright Infringement. Read more.
February 21, 2018
December 31, 2017 is the deadline for certain online service providers to update their Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") agent registrations on the US Copyright Office's new online registration system. Read more.
December 18, 2017
Trademark solicitation scams are on the rise. If you receive correspondence about your trademarks from someone other than your trademark attorneys — correspondence that looks like an invoice or an offer for trademark services — it may not be legitimate. Here's a summary of what the scams look like and what you should do about them. Read more.
September 5, 2017
In a closely watched trademark battle with implications for food, beverage and other industries, a federal court has found for celebrity chef and television personality Christopher Kimball and his new media company, CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL'S MILK STREET. An allegedly competing business, MILK STREET CAFÉ, had sued CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL'S MILK STREET, arguing that Kimball's use of CHRISTOPHER KIMBALL'S MILK STREET was likely to cause confusion with MILK STREET CAFÉ. Read more.
August 30, 2017
On June 19, 2017, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Matal v. Tam that Section 2(a) of the Lanham Act, which prohibits the federal registration of disparaging trademarks, is unconstitutional because it violates "a bedrock First Amendment principle: Speech may not be banned on the ground that it expresses ideas that offend." Read more.
June 20, 2017
President Trump recently tweeted, without context, "Despite the constant negative press covfefe". Within minutes, the Internet was ablaze with commentary, speculation, and humor regarding the newly invented term. Read more.
June 9, 2017
If you're an online publisher or other internet service provider ("ISP") that relies on moderators to police or curate user-generated comments or other content, your risk of liability for copyright infringement just increased. Read more.
May 2, 2017
On March 22, 2017, the Supreme Court ruled in Star Athletica v. Varsity Brands that copyright law can protect designs on cheerleading uniforms. Read more.
March 23, 2017
A chef who created a cake for President Obama's inauguration in 2013 recently tweeted a photograph showing two cakes. According to the chef, one was created for the Obama inauguration and the other was for an inaugural ball for President Trump. The Trump cake baker apparently admitted copying the Obama cake design (and stated the proceeds would be donated to a charity). So among the many legal questions raised by the new Trump administration, there lies an interesting IP question: can a baker, chef or restaurateur use intellectual property law to protect a cake or pastry design? Read more.
February 3, 2017
Here are our top ten resolutions to ensure your trademark portfolio is happy and healthy. Read more.
January 4, 2017
Here's important legal news for product designers, manufacturers and distributors. Read more.
December 9, 2016
Out with the old, in with the new. That's the latest slogan of the Copyright Office which, on December 1, 2016, finally brings its nearly 20-year old system for designating Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") agents online. Read more.
November 30, 2016
Business owners do not have to wait until they are actually using a trademark in commerce before seeking to register it with the Trademark Office. Read more.
October 28, 2016
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (the "Board") has announced a number of changes to the Trademark Rules of Practice, to take effect on January 14, 2017. Read more.
October 19, 2016
Licensing a trademark abroad - for manufacture or distribution of goods or services - is not easy. Read more.
October 6, 2016
In the few weeks since its release, Pokémon™ GO has dominated the interactive entertainment landscape. The augmented reality game has reportedly achieved more than 30 million downloads and lots of buzz. But as its popularity grows, so do questions about its legal implications - including the use of landmarks, buildings, monuments, and other frequented locations. Read more.
July 27, 2016
Rest easy, trademark owners! While the UK has voted to leave the European Union, it is expected to take at least two years for that to occur. Here is what trademark owners need to know. Read more.
June 24, 2016
In the US, attorneys' fees generally are not available to the winning party unless authorized by statute or the parties have agreed to permit a fee award. Copyright law is one area where fee shifting is permitted, and courts have discretion to award a "reasonable" fee to the winning party. How do courts decide? Read more.
June 24, 2016
There's good news for companies that rely on trade secrets. Read more.
May 12, 2016
On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in Star Athletica v. Varsity Brands, which could set the stage for greater clarity in copyright law in the fashion and design industries. Read more.
May 4, 2016
The Ninth Circuit declined to review its earlier opinion in Lenz v. Universal Music Corp. that copyright holders must consider fair use before seeking to remove allegedly infringing content from websites such as YouTube and Facebook. Read more.
March 18, 2016
Here's some big news for anyone who owns -- or is contemplating registration of -- a trademark that may offend certain audiences. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on December 22nd that a law banning the registration of disparaging trademarks is unconstitutional. Read more.
December 23, 2015
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