Trademark Newsflash: Supreme Court Strikes Down Disparagement Clause
Since 1946, when the Lanham Act was enacted, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has denied registration of any trademark that “[c]onsists of ……
We’ve Got the Copyright, How ‘bout You? Supreme Court Protects Cheerleader Uniform Designs
We previously wrote about the copyright battle between two of the largest cheerleader uniform manufacturers. Plaintiff Varsity Brand, Inc. claimed that Star Athletica, LLC had…
Supreme Court’s Apple Decision Opens a Can of Worms on Patent Awards
Today the Supreme Court found an ambiguity in the Patent Act, reversing Apple’s $399 million infringement award against Samsung. In the ongoing international litigation war between…
Hear Hard Candy Roar – Sues Over CoverGirl Katy Perry Makeup Line
Hard Candy, LLC (“Hard Candy”) sued The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”), parent company to CoverGirl in the federal district court of Florida for 1) federal…
Food Fight: America’s Test Kitchen v. Chris Kimball
If, like me, you’re a fan of PBS and its soothing, soft-focus, food-related shows (ahem, Great British Bake-off), you were probably devastated when you heard that…
USPTO Asks Supreme Court to Uphold Its Right to Deny “Offensive” Trademarks
I previously wrote about a Supreme Court case pitting the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) and Section 2(a) of the Lanham Act against the…
We’ve Got the Copyright, How ‘bout You? Supreme Court Grapples with Cheerleader Uniforms
On Halloween, the highest court in the land heard oral argument on whether cheerleader uniform designs are subject to copyright protection. Varsity Brand, Inc. (“Varsity”), the…
