In February 2026, the High Court of Australia made a significant decision that could have broad implications for the technology and gaming sectors worldwide. The court refused to grant special leave to hear an appeal in Commissioner of Patents v. Aristocrat Technologies Australia Proprietary Ltd., centered on patents for electronic gaming machines. This action effectively…
In a recent legal dispute, Los Angeles rapper G Perico has filed a lawsuit in a California federal court against luxury fashion brand Coach. The rapper claims that Coach has infringed on his trademark by using a slogan closely resembling his “this is a blue t-shirt” brand. Perico alleges that Coach’s shirts, emblazoned with the…
In a recent development, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has initiated reviews concerning the validity of three patents held by Cellspin Soft Inc. The focus of these evaluations is on patents pivotal to the company’s technology for publishing data on websites. This move comes after Cellspin successfully circumvented previous challenges from TikTok, raising…
In an intriguing clash of trademarks, Deer Feed Co., a Mississippi-based animal feed company, is pushing back against Blockbuster LLC’s attempt to obstruct its application to trademark “Block Buster” for deer feed supplements. The dispute hinges on Blockbuster’s claims that the iconic video rental brand, though largely defunct, could suffer from trademark infringement or dilution,…
In a recent episode of the One54 Africa podcast, Zimbabwe-born comedian Learnmore Mwanyenyeky playfully interpreted the iconic chant featured in Disney’s 1994 film, “The Lion King.” This lighthearted moment, however, has spotlighted the complex legal landscape surrounding podcast content, particularly when it brushes up against big entertainment entities. Disney’s potential legal action could further complicate…
In a contentious legal battle, a Massachusetts-based life sciences startup has accused a former vice president of taking proprietary trade secrets to a new position with a competitor in California. The executive, who departed last fall claiming family health concerns as the reason, stands at the center of allegations that could have significant implications for…
In a recent legal development, national law firm Polsinelli PC faces malpractice accusations for allegedly sending baseless patent infringement demands to two medical device companies. The litigation arises as a consequence of what the companies describe as unsubstantiated allegations, posing significant reputational risks to the firms involved. The legal complaints, filed by the medical firms…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has decided to extend its Artificial Intelligence Search Automated Pilot Program until June 1, as it continues to evaluate the program’s effectiveness in assisting with patent examinations. Launched last year, this initiative leverages AI technology to streamline the process of searching for prior art, aiming to improve both…
In London’s vibrant legal landscape, several intriguing cases have emerged over the past week. Aston Martin has taken steps to appeal a recent decision related to its logo dispute with Geely, a Chinese car manufacturer. The legal contention arises from Geely’s use of a winged logo on its London black cabs, which Aston Martin argues…
The Federal Circuit has overturned a significant portion of an $18.3 million jury award concerning trade secrets tied to a penile implant. The court’s decision centered around the determination that the alleged secrets were either publicly disclosed or generally known, thus lacking the necessary protection under trade secret laws. This ruling emphasizes the critical nature…
“`html The recent legal confrontation involving high-profile figures Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni underscores several key legal responsibilities that employers face. At its heart, the case offers significant lessons on employment practices and underscores the importance of clear contractual commitments. As reported by Bloomberg Law, the litigation stemmed from alleged breaches related to employment contracts,…
Nvidia Corp. is currently navigating a challenging legal landscape as a California federal judge has signaled an unwillingness to entirely dismiss a proposed class action initiated by a group of authors. The plaintiffs allege that Nvidia unlawfully used their copyrighted content to train its large language models (LLMs). During recent proceedings, the judge indicated that…
In the ongoing legal contest between semiconductor giants, Everspin Technologies Inc. has implored the U.S. International Trade Commission to dismiss a patent infringement case initiated by Avalanche Technology Inc. The crux of Everspin’s argument lies in the claim that Avalanche’s patents are inadmissible due to years of improperly availing “small entity” fee discounts that were…
In a recent court appearance, William Ramey, a noted intellectual property attorney, addressed allegations of sanctions violations, asserting that his actions stemmed from a “good-faith misunderstanding” rather than any intentional misconduct. During a session held on Thursday before a California federal judge, Ramey contended that miscommunications regarding the scope of the court’s directives led to…
William Ramey, an intellectual property attorney facing sanctions in several federal jurisdictions, addressed a California federal judge on Thursday, asserting that any breach of a prior sanctions order was due to a “good-faith misunderstanding” rather than intentional misconduct. Ramey claimed that his noncompliance stemmed from an erroneous interpretation of the court’s directive concerning his legal…
In a notable verdict from the Eastern District of Texas, a jury has determined that SAP America Inc. is liable for $17 million for infringing on software patents owned by Cyandia Inc. The decision, delivered on Thursday afternoon, centers around two patents, one of which had previously been contested by SAP at the Patent Trial…
The Federal Circuit recently reinstated a $177 million jury verdict in favor of Teva Pharmaceuticals, reversing a decision by a Massachusetts federal judge. This ruling concluded that Teva’s patents, concerning its migraine medication, were not invalid, as the lower court previously determined. This marks a significant setback for Eli Lilly, which had previously benefited from…
A U.S. medical device company recently faced a ruling by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which upheld a ban on its redesigned intravenous (IV) drip products. The company attempted to re-enter the market after modifying its devices, initially considered patent-infringing. However, CBP remains unconvinced that the changes sufficiently address these legal concerns, stating that…
A California federal jury has ruled that Hyundai Technology, a small U.S. computer company, must pay $2.5 million to Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co. This decision comes after allegations that Hyundai Technology improperly leveraged the automotive giant’s trademark, creating consumer confusion by “piggybacking” on Hyundai’s established brand identity. The case highlights the ongoing challenges companies…
Polsinelli, a well-known national law firm, faces allegations of bad faith conduct in several medical device patent infringement cases. A consortium of companies involved in these disputes accuses the firm of engaging in tactics intended to delay proceedings and inflate litigation costs. These actions purportedly undermine the fair adjudication of intellectual property rights and could…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the termination of its COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program, originally established to expedite the patent approval process for innovations aimed at combating the pandemic. Launched five years ago, this initiative focused on fast-tracking ex parte appeals of rejections on patent applications. Its conclusion marks a significant…
In a recent legal development, a federal judge in Manhattan has refused to dismiss a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claim against AI-powered music generator Udio. Music companies have alleged that Udio illegally used their copyrighted material to train its music-generating algorithms. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing intersectional challenges of copyright law and artificial…
McDermott Will & Emery has expanded its sports law practice with the addition of Henry Smokler as a partner in its New York office. Smokler’s appointment marks a strategic move for the firm, aiming to bolster their presence in the competitive sports law sector. Henry Smokler joins McDermott from Major League Baseball (MLB), where he…
In a strategic move to bolster its global intellectual property (IP) management capabilities, Alt Legal, the cloud-based trademark docketing and management platform, has completed its acquisition of WebTMS, a UK-based IP portfolio management software provider. This acquisition marks Alt Legal’s sixth, expanding its reach beyond the United States and cementing a physical presence in the…
The Am Law 100, a benchmark ranking of the largest U.S. law firms by revenue, has profoundly evolved over the last 25 years, reflecting deeper trends within the legal industry and the broader economy. Several leading firms have distinguished themselves, maneuvering through economic cycles, technological disruptions, and regulatory shifts to not only survive but thrive….