A pressing issue lurking within the rapidly burgeoning cannabis industry is the menace of counterfeit product claims. Big-name player GS Holistic finds itself at the forefront of this issue, championing a nationwide legal initiative to combat the problem. Regrettably, the full account of this issue remains behind a paywall, and thus, only snippets of information…
The past week in London’s litigation scene has brought forward several key cases, including a breach of contract claim against Eversheds Sutherland by the University for the Creative Arts. Alongside this, we’ve seen a dramatic energy regulation dispute worth €41.8 million (£35.6 million) initiated by solar energy investor 9REN against Spain in the High Court….
In an ever-evolving digital landscape, legal professionals must stay updated on changes and trends impacting global legal affairs. This article addresses a few significant developments relevant to corporate lawyers, those in big law firms, and legal teams in multinational corporations. Each topic discussed pertains to a recent legal event or jurisprudence that may influence future…
In a recent court proceeding that emphasizes the potential financial impact of trademark infringement, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a district court’s award of profits, costs, and attorneys’ fees to the trademark holder, while outlining the legal principles and considerations involved. The case, La Bamba Licensing, LLC v. La…
In a recent case, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit disrupted the calm seas of trademark law. They reversed a district court’s trademark invalidity finding due to lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. This jurisdictional question arose because a covenant not to sue (CNS) issued by the trademark owner successfully deflected any potential future…
In a competitive business landscape, the art of staying ahead often folds into the legal realm. Corporations and law firms the world over are increasingly finding themselves drawn to the complexities of unfair competition litigation. This paradigm has become more evident in the era of the “great resignation.” As originally reported on Arkansas Business by…
In a recent trademark dispute case, the Fourth Circuit Court confirmed that an Atlanta hotel and real estate developer is to pay an engineering firm $48 million. The fine was levied for the inadvertent use of the same name as the engineering firm, ‘Dewberry.’ Despite the affirmation from the Fourth Circuit, moral contention was apparent,…
Sweet James LLP, a prominent Southern California personal injury firm, has recently filed a lawsuit against its competitor, Sweet Justice, and its attorney, Rafael Contreras Sweet. The suit is centered on allegations of trademark infringement, with Sweet James contending that it possesses common law rights to the “Sweet Justice” name. The lawsuit came to light…
Online churches have emerged as a new area where legal issues are surfacing, the most recent one being a trademark dispute. Recently, an online church presented its case in front of a Federal Circuit panel, challenging the legal setback it had encountered trying to trademark the phrase “get ordained.” Quick to draw attention was the…
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) has determined that a cap exists on the number of counterarguments permitted in response to expert reports. This resolution is a recent occurrence in a trademark case initiated by Monster Energy. The energy drink behemoth is opposing a fitness equipment manufacturer’s attempt to register the term “Monster Lite”…
In light of recent developments, we examine the July 11 announcement by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Office of the Chief Economist publicized the 2022 updates to its Trademark Case Files Dataset and Trademark Assignment Dataset. An evaluation of these updates shows an ongoing investment by the USPTO in improved transparency…
Michelle Cross, the self-termed “Legally Blonde Atlanta” DUI attorney, is now under fire from movie studio MGM for her usage of their copyrighted phrase. After receiving a cease and desist letter from the movie giant, Cross has decided to take down the related billboards, but she isn’t ready to give up her Instagram handle just…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – an emerging technology that is reshaping many aspects of life including how we live, learn, and work – is taking news headlines by storm. AI broadly refers to content generated or produced by artificial intelligence systems. The market is currently being saturated by AI-driven chatbots such as Chat GPT, Google BARD,…
OpenAI, the notable research organization known for its pioneering work in artificial intelligence, has found itself caught in a legal battle over its distinctive name. The organization has launched a lawsuit against an individual who allegedly has been hindering its progress in registering ‘OpenAI’ as a trademark. The defendant stands accused of using a name…
An Illinois-based federal judge has permitted a solar panel distributor to proceed with a $1 million lawsuit against a well-known safety testing company. The dispute arises from delays that the solar distributor suffered due to the safety testing company’s certification trademarks. The prominent safety testing brand, which is noted for its certification trademarks, is accused…
Alt Legal, the cloud-based trademark docketing software company, has announced their fourth and most recent acquisition to be the docketing business and customers of TM Cloud, a competing provider of trademark and intellectual property docketing software. This acquisition sees Alt Legal expanding its customer base even more both domestically throughout the United States and across…
While rebranding announcements are often given a nod before we move on with our lives, Elon Musk’s decision to swap the iconic bird logo for an “X”, as Twitter’s new logo (the “X Logo”), has been quite the conversation starter. Industry giants, law firms, and the public have been engaged in discussions, analyzing the potential…
In a recent development, the director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has overturned a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) decision that declined to re-evaluate a biotech firm’s patent pertaining to a hormonal disorder treatment. The reversal came on Friday, and it was a significant move by Andrei Iancu, the USPTO Director….
A trademark dispute that was stirring up the pet waste management industry in Washington has been peacefully resolved. The complaint, filed in Seattle’s federal court, has been withdrawn; the involved competitor has agreed to cease using the contested name “Scoop Troop”. This resolution brings an end to what could have been a protracted legal battle…
In a recent development, Argentina-based Cool Brands Supply SA has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against LIV Golf Inc. and HyFlyers GC. This high profile case has caught the attention of the legal industry, with a particular focus on the issues that a New Jersey district court may consider in the case. Renowned for its…
The director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has imposed penalties on a company challenging a key VLSI microchip patent, securing Intel a $2.2 billion jury verdict. The company under question is Patent Quality Assurance, which was brought before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. This punitive action has been taken due to what’s…
A longstanding disagreement concerning the celebrated “Fearless Girl” statue in New York City is set to be settled in court in April 2024. This dispute involves State Street Global Advisors Trust Co., a major asset management firm, and the sculptor behind the esteemed structure. The litigious contention has arisen over allegations of contract breach and…
In a recent turn of events, the Supreme Court of the United States has decided to once again explore the boundaries of free speech and private business branding. The case in question, Vidal v. Elster, Case 22-704, is an appeal from the Federal Circuit centering around the application to register the trademark “TRUMP TOO SMALL”…
Apple Inc. recently approached the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board with a plea to revise its attempt to register the “Apple Music” mark. This followed a loss suffered by the technology giant at the Federal Circuit. Notably, the request includes the removal of a section concerning live performances. The particular case at the Federal Circuit…
In a recent development, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit addressed contributory trademark infringement for the first time, determining that specific knowledge is needed for liability to be assumed. The case in question is Y.Y.G.M. SA, DBA Brandy Melville v. Redbubble, Inc., Case Nos. 21-56150; -56236 (9th Cir. July 24, 2023), presided…