In her year and a half tenure as the head of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Director Kathi Vidal has made a discernible impression on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Initiating actions such as Director Reviews, issuing guidelines, and listing additional cases as precedential are amongst her contributions. Evidently, the USPTO…
Québec, the predominantly French-speaking province in Canada, presents unique linguistic and cultural challenges for businesses. For instance, per the province’s linguistic laws, there is a mandate that requires businesses to translate English product terms into French. This is stipulated by Québec’s Charter of the French Language, commonly known as Bill 101. This legislation aims to…
The online legal services provider Rocket Lawyer has launched an AI tool named Rocket Copilot. This new product, developed in tandem with Google Cloud, provides users with dynamic capabilities to streamline varying legal tasks. By augmenting human expertise with a powerful generative AI, Rocket Copilot aims to transform the customer experience. Rocket Lawyer asserts that…
Country musician Luke Combs was recently thrown into the middle of a legal row, as he addressed a $250,000 judgment ruled against a Florida woman who faced charges for selling handmade drink tumblers bearing the musician’s image. The case garnered attention for the significant sum ruled against the woman who, ironically, only made $380 through…
In an industry where most law firms granting raises can afford it, increasing associate compensation often means raising fees, leading to client dissatisfaction, or increasing billable hours, causing associate displeasure. However, these are not the only options on the table. Tech advancements are allowing lawyers to explore and develop applications tailored to the nuances of…
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has designated Atlanta as the location for its new Southeastern regional office. The decision aligns with the Unleashing American Innovators Act of 2022, legislation framed to broaden participation in the patent system by segments traditionally underrepresented, such as women, people of color, military veterans, and individual inventors. Industry…
In a recent trademark dispute set in the backdrop of bars and pubs, a Massachusetts federal judge ruled in favor of a Washington, D.C. restaurant, dismissing counterclaims levied by multiple Boston corporations. Dubliner Inc., a corporation based out of the District of Columbia, imposed a trademark infringement claim on two Boston-based pubs. The Boston parties…
Pharmaceutical giant Merck has found itself facing antitrust allegations, with a lawsuit filed in a New Jersey district court. The claim alleges that Merck engaged in anticompetitive behaviors and unlawful business practices, violating antitrust and consumer protection laws. These allegations hinge on the company’s dealings concerning two cholesterol-reducing drugs. The lawsuit came to light via…
Recent adjustments to the protocol of crypto accounting in the United States will now permit companies to disclose both the highs and lows of their cryptocurrency holdings, thanks to new accounting rules released on Wednesday. Eminent businesses such as software producer MicroStrategy, electric vehicle producer Tesla, and payments processor Block are among those that will…
Husch Blackwell, a full-service litigation and business law firm, is set for a significant expansion in Minneapolis with the recruitment of an 11-lawyer team specializing in Intellectual Property (IP), sourced from the boutique firm Patterson Thuente. This notable addition is set to reinforce Husch Blackwell’s presence and services in the Twin Cities, marking the latest…
The recent rebrand of Liquid Death’s drink “Armless Palmer” to “Dead Billionaire” has brought forth some intriguing legal matters concerning trademarks, the right of publicity, and genericide. While this name change may keep the company from legal proceedings, it leaves some critical questions unanswered. As per a report by Bloomberg Law, the drink, a combination…
The rise of online influencers and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have ignited a significant paradigm shift in consumer behavior. The term “dupe”, short for “duplicate”, has soared in popularity, referring to products that emulate another company’s goods without attempting to deceive consumers over its origin. Brands like Bottega Venetta, Skims, and Lululemon…
McCarter & English, a prominent law firm has announced the addition of Jeffrey M. Mann to its intellectual property practice group in New York, as reported by Bloomberg Law. Mr. Mann brings with him a wealth of experience in negotiating, structuring license agreements, drafting opinions, and prosecuting patents and trademarks. His prior engagement included serving…
Chicago-based intellectual property lawyer India Rios is embroiled in a legal tussle with the retail giant 7-Eleven in what has been termed as a trademark name skirmish. In a lawsuit filed by the retail chain, Rios and her law firm, Seven Eleven Law Group LLC, stand accused of trading improperly on the goodwill and reputation…
In light of the conspicuous NFL games that graced households over the recent Thanksgiving weekend, discussions centered around the game are likely to have overshadowed a lesser-known narrative secretly unfolding off the field. Indeed, while some may have been fixated on the love story between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, many may have missed the…
The Arnold Law Firm has initiated a federal lawsuit against Jacoby & Meyers, alleging the misappropriation of a tagline trademarked by the Arnold Law Firm. Notably, the dispute centers around what the Arnold Law Firm argues are similarities between the two firms’ marketing taglines, which could potentially create confusion among their clientele – all of…
The world of domain name disputes has taken an interesting turn recently. A new case related to cybersquatting highlights the legal complexities around domain name ownership following death. A suit is attempting to recover the domain name of the deceased owner of Project Hindsight, an endeavour filled with valuable intellectual and digital assets. While the…
Intellectual Property (IP) firm, Fox Rothschild, welcomes a new partner into its ranks – Mr. Luke Toft. Nurturing an extensive career in IP management, Mr. Toft will be stationed at the Minneapolis, Minnesota office, as confirmed by the firm last Monday. Mr. Toft is widely regarded for his work in assisting clients across various technology…
In a noteworthy development for the corporate legal community, the US Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) recently published a notice about supplemental guidance concerning the examination of patent design claims containing computer-generated images. This vital update is ascertained from the information available on JDSupra. This supplemental guidance, outlined in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg….
In recent months, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reportedly battled with escalating disrespectful conduct aimed at its staff. In light of these events, the USPTO in October published a detailed warning, reminding individuals who interact with the Office of the necessary Code of Conduct, and reinforcing the rule in existence for over…
MarkIt to Market®’s November 2023 issue, published by Sterne Kessler, provides useful insights for legal professionals. A notable portion of this month’s issue is dedicated to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)’s recent alert which serves as a reminder to filers and practitioners about the Code of Conduct when interacting with the Office….
In response to recent modifications in trademark management protocols, Morrison & Foerster LLP shed light on new UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) rules set to roll out by 1st January, 2024. Primarily, these adjustments concern the “address for service” stipulations and may significantly influence how corporations handle their trademark portfolio (Morrison & Foerster LLP). The…
In a crucial decision, the Federal Circuit has upheld the rights of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to issue final decisions in post-grant review proceedings regardless of the statutory deadline. This is the first instance when the Court has contemplated such an issue, thereby setting a significant precedent for future cases. The case…
In an important shift, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has confirmed that there is no ingrained or rigid rule against the registration of characters for trademarks. The case that catapulted this topic to the fore is In re Joseph A. Stallard, reference no. 2023 USPQ2d 1009 (TTAB 2023). The argument revolves around the…
A notable departure occurred from a prominent intellectual property trio at McDermott recently. The move has ignited speculation throughout the legal industry regarding the potential for more departures that may be triggered by the issue of legal billing rates. Market observers and professionals have seen a rise in lateral movement within the legal industry, which…