Amway Corp., a prominent multi-level marketing company, is seeking dismissal from a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by Begin Health Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The case, initiated on December 22, 2025, under docket number 7:2025cv01608, alleges that Amway’s product branding infringes upon Begin Health’s trademarks. Amway contends…
The Federal Circuit recently examined a challenge concerning the patent eligibility of an artificial intelligence-related invention in a case involving Amazon. The dispute centers around Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s claim that their patent was improperly invalidated as abstract. This case highlights ongoing tensions in determining the boundaries of patentability for AI innovations, a burgeoning field that…
Google is facing legal challenges with a new lawsuit filed in Florida federal court, accusing the tech giant of trademark infringement related to its “Gemini” artificial intelligence services. According to the complaint, Google’s expansion into the consumer electronics market with its AI-powered speaker systems is infringing on a decades-old trademark. The company, which initially launched…
A jury in a Colorado federal court recently held two smoke shops accountable for trademark infringement, awarding $200,000 to a California-based bong maker. The case centered on the unauthorized use of a trademarked design—a gravity infuser bong—after a three-day trial that brought attention to issues of intellectual property within the rapidly expanding cannabis industry. The…
This week, London’s legal scene featured several high-profile cases, showcasing a wide range of commercial disputes. Among them, the litigation between the insolvent solar bonds company Rockfire Capital and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) drew considerable attention. Rockfire Capital has taken legal action against RBS, asserting that the bank played a role in the…
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals is currently deliberating on whether to grant a California-based T-shirt company a retrial in a trademark dispute concerning its use of the phrase “This We’ll Defend” on its products. The court is examining whether this phrase, traditionally associated with the U.S. Army, is sufficiently distinctive to warrant trademark protection…
In recent developments, a trade group representing intellectual property owners is seeking clarity regarding the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) proposed rule requiring all foreign patent owners to be represented by a domestic-registered patent practitioner. This proposal, which has generated significant discussion among legal professionals, aims to streamline the patent application process by ensuring…
In a significant decision for intellectual property law, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires has once again dismissed Revvo Technologies’ request for a review of a patent held by Cerebrum Sensor Technologies Inc. The patent in question involves advanced tire sensor technology, which Revvo Technologies has contested through the USPTO’s Patent Trial…
In a crucial decision impacting patent litigation, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires recently instituted four new patent challenges under the America Invents Act while denying 25 others. This decision, reported on Law360, reflects the ongoing scrutiny and selectivity in the patent review process. The America Invents Act, enacted in 2011, introduced…
The realm of intellectual property law is poised for significant transformation as policymakers begin implementing shifts in patent and trademark regulations in 2026. These changes are set to influence the way corporations and law firms approach their IP strategies, demanding a keen adaptability to remain competitive. Among the pivotal developments, the attenuation of patent holder…
In a decision that establishes a precedent in trademark law, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) ruled that the proposed trademark for “Danke” chocolates does not infringe upon the existing registration of “Merci” chocolates. The board concluded that despite both words translating to “thank you” in different languages, they are not confusingly similar enough…
In a significant move within the realm of intellectual property law, a federal judge in Florida has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the estate of a man against the National Football League (NFL) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The lawsuit claimed that the iconic Gold Jacket, awarded to Hall of Fame inductees, infringed…
A recent decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has provided new optimism for those seeking patents involving artificial intelligence. Last month, the PTAB reversed an examiner’s rejection of a patent application, marking a significant shift in how AI-related patents are being approached. This development is viewed by many legal experts as a…
In a significant development in the ongoing trademark dispute involving Perplexity AI, a California federal judge has requested the AI startup to substantiate the court’s jurisdiction to cancel a trademark held by a similarly named entity. The question arose after a default judgment—a consequence of the opposing party’s inability to secure legal representation—was vacated. This…
The Federal Circuit recently dismissed Google’s challenge against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regarding its practice of denying patent reviews based on the “settled expectations” of patent holders. This decision marks a continuation of failed attempts to contest the agency’s evolving policies concerning the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) processes. The implications…
In a recent legal development, Hunter’s Solicitors LLP has addressed claims of confusion with Hunters Law LLP, asserting that any misconceptions are “trivial, rare, and legally insignificant” (Law360). This statement came in response to concerns that the similarity in the firms’ names might mislead clients into mistaking one for the other. The debate around these…
The Federal Circuit has opted not to revisit its ruling concerning the trademark ownership of the phrase “More Than An Athlete,” a slogan closely associated with NBA star LeBron James. This decision upholds the previous finding by a trademark tribunal that affirms James and his company hold the rights to this celebrated phrase. This legal…
In 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued several decisions that underscored the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) broad discretion in managing inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, highlighting ongoing tensions between the judiciary and the patent office. In November 2025, the Federal Circuit denied Motorola Solutions’ petition for mandamus…
The United States Supreme Court is poised to address a pivotal matter pertaining to the powers of immigration officials. The court has agreed to consider a case questioning whether immigration agents can base decisions on criminal charges alone when assessing whether lawful permanent residents (LPRs) should be considered removable. The case, Bondi v. Lau, will…
Matthew McConaughey’s recent trademark filing has sparked discussions about its efficacy in addressing the growing challenge of artificial intelligence (AI) imitating celebrity voices. The actor’s application to trademark his iconic catchphrase “Alright, Alright, Alright” is seen as an attempt to protect his brand identity from unauthorized AI-generated imitations. This move highlights a significant concern for…
In a significant decision, a Virginia federal judge upheld the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) refusal of La Jolla Pharma LLC’s patent applications. These applications pertained to a unique dosage and delivery method for a drug aimed at treating low blood pressure. The judge ruled that the claims put forward by La Jolla Pharma…
The Federal Circuit has denied a petition filed by prolific inventor Gilbert Hyatt to reconsider its position on the doctrine of prosecution laches. This legal doctrine can render a patent unenforceable when the patent owner has excessively delayed during the application process, potentially disadvantaging competitors. Hyatt’s petition appealed for the abolition of prosecution laches, arguing…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has announced the extension of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) collaborative program with four major international intellectual property offices through 2029. This initiative aims to expedite the examination process for patent applications that have already been granted in one of the participating countries, thereby enhancing efficiency and promoting…
Amazon is confronting efforts by an intellectual property lawyer trying to withdraw from a lawsuit that accuses him of colluding with a Chinese corporation to bypass a regulation set by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The tech giant contends that the allegations are appropriately represented and insists that the Seattle federal court is the…
New York City has initiated legal action against Jordan McGraw, son of television personality Dr. Phil McGraw, and his production company, McGraw Media, Inc., to prevent the release of a reality television series titled “Behind the Badge.” The city contends that the series, which offers an inside look at the New York Police Department (NYPD),…