The recent trademark dispute between a prominent tobacco company and a Colorado-based cannabis company has reached a resolution. In the legal standoff, the manufacturer of Raw rolling papers sought to prevent the cannabis company from continuing to use certain product names. The settlement, acknowledged by both parties before a federal judge, effectively closes a contentious…
Disney’s legal struggle over the character Lotso from “Toy Story 3” continues to face challenges in federal court. A judge in California has denied Disney’s request for a partial summary judgment in the trademark infringement case involving a stuffed-animal manufacturer. The company contends that Disney’s portrayal of the character infringes on its trademark rights under…
In a recent decision marked by selectivity, John Squires, director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), approved eight petitions for America Invents Act (AIA) reviews of patents, while rejecting sixteen others. This decision underscores a rigorous approach to patent evaluation that aims to balance innovation protection with market competition. The AIA review process,…
Nintendo’s recent legal challenges surrounding its Pokémon franchise have sparked significant discussion within the gaming and legal communities. The company’s attempts to secure and enforce patents related to game mechanics have encountered notable obstacles, particularly in Japan and the United States. In October 2025, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) rejected Nintendo’s application for a patent…
In a detailed legal salvo, Toronto-based AI legal research firm Alexi Technologies has mounted a robust counterattack against legal tech giant Clio’s recent lawsuit. Filed on the heels of Clio’s landmark $1 billion acquisition of vLex/Fastcase, Alexi’s counterclaim not only refutes allegations of data misuse and trademark infringement but also accuses Clio of anticompetitive practices…
In a recent development in the Illinois legal scene, a federal judge has permanently dismissed a trademark infringement case that had been criticized as an instance of problematic “forum shopping.” The plaintiff in this case had attempted to consolidate multiple defendants, a strategy that has been previously invalidated by different judges. This dismissal was described…
The legal battle between Little Caesars and a Chicago-based food company over the use of the term “pizza puff” reached a resolution as the Seventh Circuit Court reversed a prior ruling against the pizza chain. Initially, Little Caesars was prohibited from using “pizza puff” to describe its “Crazy Puffs” products, but the appeals court found…
The unfolding legal dispute between rapper Xzibit and his ex-wife Krista Joiner centers around the transfer of trademarks associated with their cannabis business. This case, currently filed in a California federal court, alleges that Xzibit improperly assigned the trademarks of their cannabis brand to an associate without Joiner’s agreement. The lawsuit argues that this transfer…
The Eleventh Circuit Court has upheld a decision against Florida Virtual School (FVS), dismissing its trademark infringement claims over a lack of evidence proving actual damages from consumer confusion. This ruling marks a significant setback for FVS as it contested resolutions in its ongoing legal battle with K12 Inc., a competitor in the remote education…
This week in London’s legal landscape was marked by high-profile litigation involving some of the most recognized names. The David Lloyd gym chain has initiated a legal battle over intellectual property against its own founder. This move illustrates the increasingly complex intersection between business interests and IP rights. Details of the case reveal that David…
Georgia-based chemical company StarChem LLC has petitioned a federal judge for an early judgment in its trademark infringement lawsuit against Florida competitor StarChem USA LLC. The plaintiff contends that neither the defendant nor its affiliated Chinese entity can substantiate prior use of the disputed trademark. In October 2023, StarChem LLC initiated legal proceedings, alleging that…
Matthew McConaughey, known for his iconic catchphrase “alright alright alright,” is taking a proactive stance against unauthorized use of his voice and likeness, especially in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. McConaughey has acquired a series of trademarks to protect his audio and video clips, an approach that resonates with intellectual property attorneys who view…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has advised the Federal Circuit to dismiss a mandamus petition filed by Tessell Inc., which argued against the application of assignor estoppel in recent patent disputes. According to the USPTO, their decision to enforce assignor estoppel, a legal doctrine that prevents the original patent assignor from later contesting…
On January 13, 2026, a battery charger company petitioned the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a jury’s decision that awarded approximately $20 million in damages for alleged trademark infringement. The company contends that its use of generic product descriptions in Amazon advertisements did not infringe upon a competitor’s trademark and did not lead…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has unveiled a new pilot program aimed at fostering the growth of standard-essential patents (SEPs) by smaller entities. SEPs, which are crucial in establishing industry standards in various technology sectors, are typically dominated by larger corporations. This initiative offers a pathway for smaller companies to actively contribute to…
Recent decisions by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires highlight a notable trend in America Invents Act (AIA) patent reviews. Squires, known for his cautious approach, has recently denied 47 requests for patent reviews while granting only eight. This pattern reflects his ongoing strategy of limiting the number of patent challenges considered…
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has bolstered its Supreme Court and appellate practice with the addition of a prominent legal figure, the former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Solicitor. Announced on Tuesday, the move sees this seasoned attorney joining the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner, aiming to enhance the firm’s influential presence…
In a noteworthy move for the legal community, the former Solicitor of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Joseph Matal, has joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe’s Supreme Court and Appellate practice group. Renowned for his expertise in intellectual property law, Matal brings a wealth of experience to the firm, further strengthening Orrick’s capabilities…
In a notable decision, the Federal Circuit has upheld a trademark tribunal’s refusal to register “Sazerac Stitches” for a variety of home goods and decor items. This ruling stems from potential confusion with products marketed by Sazerac Brands LLC, renowned for its distilled spirits and cocktail accessories. The decision underscores the importance of brand identity…
In a move that solidifies its position in the evolving financial landscape, a law firm known for its expertise in Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) has completed its second significant merger in 2026 by acquiring a specialized intellectual property (IP) boutique. This strategic acquisition enhances the firm’s capabilities in offering comprehensive services across SPAC transactions…
In a surprise move that brought a swift resolution to a legal dispute, Aroma360 LLC and Scentiment LLC reached a settlement over their trademark infringement case. This agreement unfolded shortly after the opening statements at a trial were presented, halting what could have been a lengthy legal battle. Aroma360, known for its luxury scented products,…
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) recently canceled the “Reefer Madness” trademark registration held by a Colorado-based cannabis company. The decision followed a contentious dispute involving a prior claim to the “Reefer Madness” mark, this time rooted in apparel sales associated with a musical theater production of the same name. The Colorado company initially…
The United States government has backed the legality of a previous court ruling that found Jack Daniel’s not in violation of free speech rights by securing a judgment against a dog toy company. The case centers around the “Bad Spaniels” toy, a parody of the whiskey brand’s iconic label. The Justice Department argues that the…
Industrial fastener company Peninsula Components is seeking to overturn a recent jury verdict in a Pennsylvania federal court. This verdict found the company liable for trademark infringement due to its use of the PEM name in Google Ads, a trademark owned by Penn Engineering & Manufacturing Corp. Peninsula Components contends that their competitor does not…
The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to take up an appeal concerning the trademark registration of the French word “Vetements,” meaning “clothes,” in a case that scrutinized the criteria for foreign words as trademarks. This decision leaves in place the lower court’s ruling, upholding a long-standing principle used to assess whether foreign terminology qualifies…