Trademarkology
Brands, Trademarks, and Registration
DeLorean Flies into the Future with a Trademark Infringement Lawsuit
In "Back to the Future II," Marty McFly uses his fancy flying time machine to travel to the future. Ironically, he travels to 2015, a time filled with skateboards that fly, automated dog-walkers, and self-drying...
Is Taylor Swift Trying to Use Trademark Protection to Monopolize Common Phrases?
You may have heard already that Mistress of All She Surveys Taylor Swift has filed several applications to register trademarks drawn from lyrics to songs in her boffo album 1989. Among the marks are "This...
Guest Post! Bitter Truth Behind the Cadbury Chocolate Import Ban
Written by Stephen Weyer, editor of our brother-blog OP-IP. Check it out at http://op-ip-law.blogspot.com/. United States' lovers of authentic, original British Cadbury chocolate will have to book a flight to the UK to enjoy the...
Royal Prerogative
A decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board came to my attention today that relates to my earlier blog entries concerning McDonald's in that it involves the prerogatives of fame, in this case, a...
From Itchycoo to Bonnaroo: The Art of Brand Distinction
Last year, we wrote about Bonnaroo and the various trademark registrations obtained by the music and arts festival that takes place each June in Manchester, Tennessee. For the uninitiated, here is my take on Bonnaroo...
When Does a Trademark Qualify for Copyright Protection?
My father is an attorney who has practiced law for more than forty years. Despite his broad legal knowledge and the fact that his only daughter is a trademark lawyer, he continuously interchanges the words...
Trademarkology: Mister Softee Comes Down Hard on Imposters
Ice cream lovers can rest a little easier, now that Mister Softee has shut down an unscrupulous quartet of competitors.The Mister Softee company sells ice cream from trucks that play a jingle to announce their...
McMonopoly
Have you been on the edge of your seats since last week when I promised to write about how a company like McDonald's Corp. can use the law preventing dilution of a famous mark in...