Hasbro Inc. is currently embroiled in a copyright lawsuit filed in Georgia federal court by a hobbyist, who claims that the company infringes on his copyright. The legal action centers around a series of inserts and liners designed for Star Wars-themed helmets, allegedly mirroring creations he has made for fan-produced helmets. This suit highlights ongoing…
Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) recently criticized Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr for involving himself in a speech-related matter concerning ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The controversy ignited when Carr exerted pressure on ABC to suspend Kimmel, a move that Paul denounced as overreach. During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Paul…
McDermott Will & Emery LLP has strengthened its litigation capabilities with the addition of veteran trial lawyer Nancy Dockterman to its Chicago office. This strategic move comes as the firm seeks to bolster its litigation team amidst increasing demand for trial expertise in complex commercial disputes. Dockterman, a highly regarded litigator, brings a wealth of…
In a notable development within the legal community, Duane Morris LLP has fortified its New York trial team with the addition of Jennifer “Jen” Rokosky, previously a partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Rokosky joins as a partner, bringing with her a wealth of experience in complex commercial litigation. Rokosky’s move to Duane Morris…
In a set of pivotal legal developments, two judges from the Northern District of California have recently adjudicated on whether the scraping and ingestion of copyrighted materials by artificial intelligence companies, specifically for training large language models (LLMs), can be protected under the fair use doctrine. These rulings are significant for both AI firms and…
The meticulous processes involved in patent prosecution are familiar to most legal professionals: discussing intricacies with inventors, drafting applications, engaging in rounds of discussions with the Patent Office, and eventually, securing the patent. However, there are instances when this routine encounters unusual complexities, compelling attorneys to transcend traditional boundaries and assume the roles of advocates…
In a noteworthy series of decisions, Coke Morgan Stewart, while concluding her tenure as acting director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, exercised her discretion in handling a range of petitions for Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) review. This mixed set of outcomes saw several requests for review being denied, even as a…
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s recent proposal suggesting that the government receive up to half of the revenue universities earn from patents developed with federal funding has raised substantial concerns within the legal and academic communities. Such a shift could potentially stymie the commercialization of inventions arising from publicly funded research, a concern echoed by lawyers…
Moderna has recently sought the intervention of the Federal Circuit to reverse a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). The board had invalidated two of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine patents, deeming them obvious despite their success. This challenge emerged following objections raised by Pfizer and BioNTech, two significant players in the COVID-19 vaccine…
The estate of the iconic musician Prince has moved to dismiss a trademark lawsuit filed by Apollonia Kotero, his co-star in the 1984 film “Purple Rain,” in a Californian federal court. The legal dispute centers on the use of the name “Apollonia,” a moniker widely associated with Kotero’s character in the film. The estate’s legal…
K&L Gates LLP has announced the closure of its Beijing office, consolidating its operations into its Shanghai hub. This strategic move reflects the law firm’s focus on streamlining operations and optimizing resources in the face of China’s evolving legal landscape. A spokesperson for the firm confirmed the decision, highlighting Shanghai’s significance as a business and…
The co-owners of Kong Co. LLC, a prominent dog toy manufacturer, concluded a bench trial over accusations of breach of company agreements. The trial, which lasted over three weeks, culminated with both parties delivering their closing arguments on Thursday. The courtroom conflict laid bare the intricate challenges encountered when managing leadership dynamics in a business…
In a recent legal development, a North Carolina federal judge has played a central role in reducing tensions in an ongoing dispute over the name of a middle school dance team. The parties involved in the litigation were encouraged to seek an amicable resolution outside the courtroom. This advice followed the judge’s decision to streamline…
The recent developments in a North Carolina trademark dispute have drawn attention after a federal judge ruled against NC Coastal Pool Co.’s attempt to dismiss the case prematurely. This Outer Banks-based pool and spa service provider found itself embroiled in a legal battle over its branding. The court determined that the claims brought forward were…
In a recent decision, a New York federal court denied Fox Corporation’s attempt to quash evidence from a Mexican sports broadcasting distributor amidst a complex intellectual property dispute. This ruling supports the distributor’s bid to overturn previous sanctions for unauthorized use of Fox’s trademarks. The decision emphasizes the court’s stance that the distributor had adequately…
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has sided with Pax Labs Inc., confirming that the company has met the necessary domestic industry requirements to pursue its patent infringement claims against certain imported vape devices. This decision was influenced by Federal Circuit rulings, specifically regarding the criteria that constitute domestic industry compliance. This legal determination stems…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is contemplating a shift in how it generates revenue: introducing a recurring, value-based maintenance fee on patents. This approach has sparked a debate over the potential impact on innovation and the patent landscape as a whole. In considering the pros and cons, legal professionals and corporate leaders are…
Coherent Corp., a global leader in materials, optics, and photonics technology, has entered into a multi-year partnership with Eudia, an AI platform designed for in-house legal teams, to establish a fully AI-native legal function. This collaboration aims to integrate Eudia’s Sigma suite of augmented AI agents into Coherent’s legal operations, enabling both in-house and external…
Artificial intelligence tools have attained a notable milestone by matching or surpassing the capability of human lawyers in producing reliable contract drafts. This was documented in the initial comprehensive comparative study of AI performance against legal professionals, recently published by LegalBenchmarks.ai. According to the research, human lawyers achieved a reliability rate of 56.7% for initial…
Law firm Morgan & Morgan has taken legal action against Disney, filing a suit on Wednesday in a Florida federal court. The firm seeks a declaratory judgment that an advertisement they plan to run, which utilizes elements from the animated short film “Steamboat Willie,” does not infringe on Disney’s intellectual property rights. According to Morgan…
In a recent legal battle, a Pennsylvania federal judge denied an injunction request by a nonprofit against the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, concerning the use of the phrase “Making PA Better” on the association’s website. The court concluded that neither party was involved in commercial activity, a crucial element of trademark infringement cases (Law360). The legal…
The Chinese government’s decision to block the purchase of Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips marks a significant shift in the ongoing technological competition with the United States. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued directives to major technology firms, including ByteDance and Alibaba, to halt their acquisition and testing of the Nvidia RTX Pro 6000D. This…
Baker Botts has recently bolstered its aviation finance capabilities by appointing a new partner from White & Case to its Dubai office. This strategic hire underscores Baker Botts’ commitment to expanding its footprint in the Middle East’s aviation sector, a region known for robust growth in air travel and aircraft financing. The newly appointed partner,…
In a dispute that has captured the attention of intellectual property professionals, a North Carolina charter school has urged the full Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear its case concerning the use of the name “Inspire” by a dance company founded by two former teachers. The school contends that allowing the teachers to use…
The landscape of patent practitioners in the United States is undergoing a notable transformation. Recent trends indicate a dwindling number of attorneys pursuing the patent bar exam, while patent agents are stepping up to fill the gap. This shift is reshaping the workforce within the intellectual property sector, signaling changing dynamics in how innovations are…