In recent news, Johanna Schmitt has made a significant career shift by joining Norton Rose Fulbright. Previously serving at Kirkland & Ellis, she assumed her new position in New York as a partner on Monday. At Norton Rose Fulbright, Schmitt will bring to bear her extensive experience in a variety of legal areas. She is…
Québec, the predominantly French-speaking province of Canada, imposes specific linguistic and cultural regulations that affect businesses operating in the region. One of these regulatory requirements under the Charter of the French Language, also referred to as Bill 101, necessitates product terms in English to be translated to French on signage, advertising, and labeling, producing an…
Pebble Beach Co., the owner of some of the world’s most prestigious golf courses, including two which are hosting the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this weekend, has appointed highly-regarded former Justice Department lawyer Patrick Hovakimian as its chief legal officer. This move comes three years after Hovakimian switched from public service to the private sector,…
In a recent legal development, Aero Law Group PC, a specialized legal firm providing services to the aviation industry, has initiated a lawsuit against a competitor, Aero Law Group PLLC. The plaintiff accuses the defendant of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and cybersquatting. Aero Law Group PC asserts that the defendant’s use of the name ‘Aero…
The Federal Circuit should reject the request from major players in the repair parts industry, LKQ and Keystone Automotive Industries, to scrap the existing framework for assessing design patent obviousness. These companies’ appeal, which aims to displace a framework that has assisted the public, courts, and the US Patent and Trademark Office for over 40…
Renowned attorney Colleen Tracy James has recently become a partner at Cahill Gordon & Reindel. Based in New York, she will be operating within the firm’s litigation group, as well as its life sciences patent litigation and intellectual property litigation practices, as announced by the firm on Monday. Apart from her duties as partner, James…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) pro bono program has reportedly provided over $39.3 million in donated legal services since its inception in 2015, with a notable high participation rate from female patent applicants. This information was shared by the USPTO’s director earlier this week. The aim of this pro bono program is to…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently revealed that the worth of pro bono legal services provided through their programs crossed the $39.3 million mark. These programs specifically target inventors and small businesses who might otherwise struggle to afford representation. This figure encapsulates a significant period, stretching from 2015 to 2022, as disclosed…
This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) moved to combat a lawsuit challenging the federal restrictions regarding state-licensed cannabis. The DOJ has asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that the plaintiff entities do not have standing to bring the case forward. The comprehensive coverage of this procedural development can be found here….
Levi Strauss & Co., commonly known as Levi’s, has filed a lawsuit against Italian fashion brand, Brunelleschi Cucinelli. The American denim pioneer accuses Brunelleschi Cucinelli of infringing on its trademark of the distinctive rectangular tab featured prominently on its jean pockets. Levi’s, established in 1853, has long been recognized for its denim jeans, characterized by…
Philadelphia law firm Armstrong Teasdale has announced the appointment of Elizabeth O’Donoghue as a partner in their trademark practice. According to the firm’s announcement, O’Donoghue’s work spans the full spectrum of trademark and copyright matters, with a specific emphasis on portfolio development and enforcement strategy, both domestically and internationally. Among her clientele, O’Donoghue represents individuals,…
The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed an argument by alleged sellers of counterfeit Herbal Brands Inc. wellness products in a pivotal trademark suit. The sellers were unsuccessful in persuading the court that merely selling products into a district via Amazon.com inherently invalidates the creation of jurisdiction within that area. This reaffirms the ongoing legal implications surrounding…
Last term witnessed the U.S. Supreme Court presiding over a landmark case, Jack Daniel’s v. VIP Products, which created a ripple effect in the legal spheres of creative expression and trademark rights. At the heart of the debate was the Lanham Act’s interaction with the First Amendment, a matter that prompted lower courts to reassess…
The legal landscape in London last week was marked by a slew of interesting cases. In what is proving to be a complex matter, a bankrupt English local council initiated a construction claim against insurance firm Axis. The case underlines some of the intricate challenges public entities are facing in their ongoing interactions with corporate…
The Florida legislature, backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, has unveiled yet another bill that many critics argue is a direct violation of the 1st Amendment. The legislature’s track record for introducing laws that impinge upon 1st Amendment rights is well-documented; this has led to several costly legal battles, as outlined here, here, and here. Among…
Leading law firm Clifford Chance has been engaged in an extended legal dispute to defend the trademark of ‘Halloumi’, the eminent Cypriot cheese. The firm represents the ‘Foundation for the Protection of the Traditional Cheese of Cyprus named Halloumi’ in this ongoing litigation. The dispute is primarily against the Swedish food entity, Fontana Foods. The…
In a recent high-profile nutraceutical case, a Miami federal district court judge has made a precedent-setting final judgement worth $3.1 million. The case revolved around the bankruptcy of a nutraceutical packaging company, and the deceptive trademark actions by an ex-distributor and a business founder that followed. Nutradose Labs LLC, the plaintiff in this case, was…
A lawsuit challenging the legitimacy of a trademark has been filed by a Philadelphia-based law firm against a local counterpart. The petition lodged with the federal court on Wednesday contends that the competitor’s trademark for “The Education Lawyers” is too broad and indistinct to merit continued protection. The contention rests on the argument that the…
Personal injury attorney Rafael Contreras Sweet is currently embroiled in a trademark dispute concerning his use of the moniker “Sweet Justice”. Contreras Sweet asserted his rights to the mark in a response to his rival’s trademark litigation in a California court. He argued that he has used the name for an extended period of time…
After an impressive career spanning four decades, notable IP newsmaker Terry Stanek Rea is leaving her position at Crowell & Moring to commence her own consultancy. Rea has been pioneering in changing the gender disparity within the traditionally male-dominated patent law landscape, not only by being among the first few women in the profession but…
In discussing Jamie Loftus’ book “Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs,” it has to be acknowledged that the author’s humor and insight into the world of American hot dogs offer an entertaining journey. Jamie Loftus, known for her unique comedic perspectives styles, has certainly left her trademark stamp on the industry. However, her…
This year began with an exciting entrance to the public domain, none other than “Steamboat Willie,” a precursor to the widely adored Mickey Mouse. However, despite the widespread enthusiasm, it’s crucial to clarify a significant legal distinction – the Mickey Mouse we know and love today remains private, and the use of his likeness could…
In an intriguing development, attorneys from a boutique law firm have taken legal action against Biglaw, alleging that the firm copied their publicly filed brief. This unusual case raises the question of whether lawyers can be sued for plagiarism of a legal brief, a subject that has been taken for granted in the past. You…
Apple Inc. is tackling an import ban issue – a ban that has resulted in their most significant money-making Apple Watch models removed from the store shelves over the holiday season. The suspension, due to a patent-infringement loss to medical-device creator Masimo Corp., has driven the Cupertino-based leading tech company to resort to unconventional strategies…
Intellectual Property law continues to evolve with significant inputs from myriad sources. As we review the most read guest articles covered by Law360 this year, some popular contextual themes emerge that illustrate this evolution. Among these, U.S. Patent and Trademark rules took a top spot for inciting widespread interest. Various industry experts authored pieces discussing…