Puma is currently engaged in a legal dispute with an activewear company called Sprints over trademark issues. The latter has sought judgment from an Ohio federal court to affirm that its feline logo and the “Sprints” name do not infringe on Puma’s trademark. Sprints argues that the distinctiveness of their design and brand differentiates it…
An Illinois federal court has issued an injunction in a trademark dispute involving Ledo’s Inc., a family-owned pizzeria. The ruling restricts the pizzeria’s use of its trademark within a specific geographical radius around its restaurant location. Furthermore, constraints have been placed on how the establishment can handle delivery and shipping orders, intensifying the implications of…
The rise of artificial intelligence in software development has introduced a new dimension of intellectual property challenges, particularly concerning “vibe-coded” products. AI’s capacity to assist individuals with minimal coding experience in creating sophisticated software disrupts traditional paradigms, yet this ease of creation brings with it a web of potential IP risks. For instance, leveraging AI…
In a significant development affecting trademark law involving Native American tribes, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has issued a ruling with implications for trademark strategy and the defenses available to tribes. On September 18, the TTAB ruled in Philip Morris USA Inc. v. IP Services International Inc. that tribal sovereign immunity cannot be…
In a recent development, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has implored the Supreme Court to deny the petitions filed by Intel Corp. and Google LLC, aiming to challenge the precedent set forth by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) that allows petitions to be denied on the basis of concurrent litigation. This…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has called on the U.S. Supreme Court to reject challenges made by Google LLC and Intel Corp. regarding the application of the Fintiv decision. This decision allows the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to deny petitions based on related court litigation, a process both tech giants believe…
Electric vehicle giant Tesla has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to address a pivotal issue concerning the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) leadership’s discretionary authority in granting or denying patent reviews. This plea follows a recent government brief which, according to Tesla, underscores the office’s aim to secure “absolute power” over these reviews. This…
Amazon has initiated efforts to halt court-ordered fund transfers in multiple trademark cases filed against numerous online sellers in Chicago’s federal court. The company, while not a direct party to these lawsuits, is investigating potential misuse of the legal process to access funds that Amazon had previously frozen for unrelated reasons. These cases, commonly referred…
The Federal Circuit recently affirmed the decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to reject an inventor’s patent application for an internal combustion engine, dismissing claims of constitutional violations. The rejection gains significance against the backdrop of the USPTO’s former Sensitive Application Warning System (SAWS), a contentious program that has since been discontinued….
The Supreme Court’s upcoming conference docket offers a blend of spirited legal debates fitting the Halloween season, as it examines a series of notable relists. As highlighted in a recent analysis by SCOTUSblog, among the cases are issues related to both the freedom to distill spirits and contentious matters involving school admissions and Halloween restrictions….
In a notable move, a company embroiled in trademark litigation has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to address a contentious ruling by the Seventh Circuit regarding prejudgment interest. The company, which produces apparel featuring the U.S. Army’s slogan “This We’ll Defend,” argues that the courts are “deeply divided” on awarding prejudgment interest. The case involves…
In a notable development, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John Squires has taken decisive action by instituting four new America Invents Act (AIA) reviews at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). This move reflects the ongoing scrutiny of patent validity in key sectors. Alongside these grants, Squires also rejected three petitions, underscoring the…
The Lizzie Borden House, a popular Massachusetts bed-and-breakfast known for its macabre history, has been involved in a legal tussle with a coffee shop over trademark infringement. The dispute centers on the unauthorized use of the Borden House’s trademarks by the coffee shop, which adopted a name and branding elements closely associated with the infamous…
Heather Repicky of Barnes & Thornburg has been named the Intellectual Property Attorney of the Year at the New England Legal Awards ceremony held in Boston on October 8. This accolade recognizes her contributions and achievements in the field of intellectual property law, which is a testament to her dedication and expertise. Repicky has been…
Coke Morgan Stewart, who previously served as Acting Director and Deputy Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), has been appointed as the new CEO and president of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP). Stewart’s tenure at the USPTO was marked by efforts to reduce the patent application backlog and to limit access…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has proposed new regulations aimed at limiting the scope of inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, a move that has now reached the White House for further evaluation. These proposed changes are designed to reduce redundant patent challenges and enhance the reliability of patent rights. Under the proposed…
An Illinois state judge announced plans to remove Fox Corporation, the parent company of TMZ, from a trademark infringement lawsuit initiated by former NFL star Terrell Owens. Owens accused TMZ of exploiting his well-known catchphrase “Getcha Popcorn Ready” in the outlet’s football coverage. The lawsuit contended that the phrase was used as a tagline to…
In a recent development in the ongoing legal battle involving an online advertising company, an insurer has filed a motion in a California federal court asserting it is not liable for coverage in a trademark infringement lawsuit. The insurer claims that the dispute is intricately linked to an earlier state court case that falls outside…
The Federal Circuit has recently examined the challenge presented by an inventor regarding the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) much-debated Sensitive Application Warning System (SAWS). This now-defunct program, which flagged certain patent applications as sensitive, allegedly disrupted his application for a patent concerning an internal combustion engine, raising questions about potential constitutional violations. During…
In a decisive legal development, a Florida federal judge has mandated the closure of several restaurants operated by a former Burger King franchisee. This ruling stems from a trademark dispute where the franchisee, who rebranded the outlets as “Jumbo King Burger,” was found likely to be breaching a prior non-compete agreement with the well-known fast-food…
Gibson Brands, Inc., a renowned name in the musical instruments industry, has secured a legal victory ensuring compensation from a bankrupt competitor in a trademark dispute. This development follows the Nashville-based company’s efforts to enforce their trademark against Dean Guitars, operated by Armadillo Distribution Enterprises Inc., which recently filed for bankruptcy protection. The legal altercation…
In the current financial climate, private equity firms are increasingly holding onto their portfolio companies for longer durations. This shift has spurred conversations around new strategies for value creation, especially in the IP domain. Traditionally, the emphasis has been on short-term exits; however, the extended timelines provide an opportunity to delve into intellectual property as…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently announced the appointment of John F. Duffy, a distinguished professor from the University of Virginia School of Law, as its new general counsel and acting solicitor. This appointment places Duffy in a pivotal role within the agency responsible for managing and overseeing the nation’s patent and trademark…
Amazon and Crocs have jointly initiated legal proceedings against several third-party sellers, alleging trademark infringement involving counterfeit versions of the well-known Crocs clogs listed on Amazon’s platform. This lawsuit, filed in Washington federal court, underscores the ongoing challenges e-commerce giants face in policing counterfeit goods that damage brand integrity. According to the complaint, the companies…
The battle over the right to monopolize the acronym “BNB” has resurfaced as Airbnb faces legal challenges from a luxury real estate management company. This dispute, which surfaced in a New York federal court, highlights the company’s opposition to the trademark application for “LUXBNB” by the real estate firm. According to the declaratory action, “BNB”…