Intellectual Property

A U.S. federal judge in California could potentially bring the $100-million intellectual property lawsuit bristling between rapper T.I. and MGA Entertainment to a third trial. Garnering significance from the recent Jack Daniel’s ruling by the Supreme Court, the judge indicated in a provisional order that previous jurors in the case may have been guided wrongly….

Hearst and Yahoo are set to face a tailored copyright lawsuit alleging unauthorized replication of photographs featuring Paul Simon’s property in their articles. A federal judge in New York asserted on Friday the claim was justifiably formulated as it alleged that Hearst was aware of potential infringement while sharing the images with Yahoo under a…

Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC has taken a firm stand against a legal team representing a Nevada-based toymaker, in a lawsuit Sony is facing over alleged contract violations. In this complex legal battle dating back to 2020, Sony’s primary contention lies in the assertion that the aforementioned legal team had engaged in consultations with a former…

In two recent Federal Circuit decisions, Bumble, the prominent dating app, and Sony, the multifaceted technology company experienced contrasting fates, mostly unclear due to a lack of detail in the one-line orders. The dating platform Bumble emerged successfully from a dispute with Ikorongo Texas, a patent-licensing firm. The conflict revolved around a district judge’s decision…

Earlier today, the Federal Circuit engaged in rigorous discussion regarding the novelty of a schizophrenia drug patent, which is currently held by Janssen. Teva Pharmaceuticals had previously attempted, without success, to invalidate the patent, questioning the apparent obviousness of the patented substance. The panel spent their morning session trying to understand the unique aspects of…

Timberland’s parent company has received a significant blow in its standoff with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The First Circuit court ruled on Friday that the company is obligated to remit a one-time payment of $505 million in relation to the transfer of intangible assets to an overseas subsidiary. This is contrary to Timberland’s earlier…

Pop singers Sam Smith and Normani have successfully defended themselves against a copyright infringement lawsuit in California federal court alongside record labels Sony and Universal Music. The lawsuit alleged similarities between the melodic phrases of their 2019 hit song “Dancing With a Stranger” and an older song of a similar name. However, the court ruled…

In recent legal news, Personalized Media Communications (PMC) voiced its argument to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding a decision that quashed a $308.5 million infringement verdict it had previously obtained against technological giant, Apple. PMC’s allegations rest on the assertion that the counter decision was an unjust deviation from established case law. The initial verdict…

On September 8, 2023, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) found that numerous claims in a patent on a treatment for strokes caused by blood clots were invalid. Crediting Penumbra Inc., a medical device company, with providing enough evidence, PTAB stated that the claims made in the patent were too obvious. The patent revolves…

In an emerging legal dispute, a subsidiary of Dish has accused an online content distributor of infringing on its streaming technology patents. The unidentified distributor, which is purportedly building rival sports streaming services, is said to have caused significant financial damage to Dish, a major player in the satellite TV market. In this suit, as…

In the recent trademark infringement lawsuit involving Marvel and Disney, the entertainment giants have allegedly displayed a lax attitude in the settlement negotiations. The apparel company involved in the case, owned by a trust, has reported to a North Carolina federal court that Disney has been unresponsive despite numerous requests for information. The trust operating…

An Illinois-based farm equipment company has been prohibited from selling specific grain sweeping devices by a federal judge in Chicago. The contentious device incorporates a patent-protected pivoting unit, which was a pivotal element in a near-$12 million jury verdict. The same verdict became a point of contention in the litigation, with some parties requesting the…

In a recent decision in the Thaler v. Perlmutter case, a federal court made the statement that AI-generated art isn’t eligible for copyright laws – a preliminary stance that may not be the last word on this issue. Notably, this finding is considered a narrow holding on a burgeoning topic that courts increasingly have to…

A California-based art collector is requesting the federal court in Pennsylvania to sanction another collector who previously practiced law. The dispute between the two collectors is based on a “Blade Runner” movie poster sale, wherein the attorney-turned-art collector had sought reconsideration of a prior court ruling asserting that the court held no jurisdiction over him….

Leading legal firms Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLP, and Rimon PC have recently expanded their intellectual property (IP) teams, reflecting a growing demand for IP expertise within the legal profession. Vorys Sater, a renowned firm known for its work in IP, has announced the recruitment of an attorney from Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton…

In this week’s Off The Bench legal column, we delve into three distinct yet fascinating legal circumstances occurring in the world of sports. To start with, we uncover the story of a former Fox executive who recently received a surprising reprieve following a conviction of bribery. The twist of fate experienced by this executive raises…

In any legal trial, jury selection plays an insurmountably crucial role in determining the verdict. Successful litigators understand that juror questionnaires can be potent tools to uncover potential biases. These biases, often hidden during the traditional voir dire, can greatly influence the trial’s outcome. Litigators, however, need to approach juror questionnaires consciously to harness their…

In an interesting development within the music copyright investment realm, Alchemy Copyrights LLC, a U.S. based company – known for their significant presence in the copyright sector – presents a $470 million acquisition bid for Round Hill Music Royalty Music Fund Ltd. The company confirmed the development on Friday, stating that the board of directors…

Global law firm White & Case LLP is continuing its expansion in intellectual property services with a key hire in its Washington D.C. office. The firm has secured the services of an expert intellectual property partner from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, strengthening their Section 337 litigation capabilities at the U.S. International Trade Commission. This…

The legal landscape in London this past week was buzzing with high-profile litigation activity. Most notably, Axiom is embroiled in a lawsuit against its former boss over allegations of fund misappropriation. Details surrounding this case have yet to be fully disclosed. Furthermore, a noteworthy case has emerged where Barings Law is standing up against insurance…