Alt Legal IP News – Issue #34
Hannah Samendinger | April 19, 2017
You can now subscribe to our podcast, Alt Trademarks, on iTunes and Google Play. Our latest episode features Jenny Odegard and Nakia Hansen of Odegard Law in Brooklyn, NY. We discuss designing a practice for creative clients and the legal challenges facing influencers.
Tricks and Treats
– In preparation for Easter, Americans were estimated to spend $2.6 billion on candy. One popular Easter candy is Jelly Beans, and their mass production wouldn’t have been possible without these patents and trademarks.
– “A Mars a Day Helps You Work, Rest, and Play” sounds more like a joke than a real candy slogan, but it is one Mars stood by for years. DuetsBlog did an interesting dig into the history of candy slogans.
– An inventor with a patent holding company, “early settlement program,” and nonexistent office might be in trouble after bringing a lawsuit against Garmin.
– Burger King released a new ad that activated viewers’ Google Home devices. Google wasn’t a fan. Here are a couple of the patents for that technology: #1 and #2.
Give Me The Likes
– Coachella dominated some areas of social media this past weekend. But festival goers are quickly learning that Coachella is very protective of its brand.
– “Brand Beckham” is expanding as David Beckham files for trademark rights in his daughter’s name.
– The Warhol Foundation is taking pre-emptive measures seeking declarations of non-infringement and fair use against a potential suit over prints of Prince.
– Instagram celebrities are growing in popularity and likes. But could some of their Instagram posts get them in legal trouble? You can also learn more about legal issues influencers face on our most recent podcast episode with Jenny Odegard and Nakia Hansen.
A Few Angry People
– The artist behind the Charging Bull sculpture on Wall Street is demanding that the recently added Fearless Girl statute be removed, claiming it violates his rights. Could the Fearless Girl Beat the Charging Bull? And another take on the issue.
– A video maker upset fans by registering a “Cyberpunk” trademark, hastily followed by a claim that the action was “a self-defence [sic] measure only.”
– Threatening letters, unprecedented sales, and a $70 billion per year industry are all involved in this lawsuit over golf balls.
– Trump brands are continuing to receive global trademark registrations at an expedited pace.
Odds and Ends
– This tweet (and this video clip) sent me down a fictional lawyer rabbit hole. Luckily, there’s an infographic for that. My favorite is Bob Loblaw, from Arrested Development.
– The Vespa received 3D trademark and copyright protection for their scooter in the IP court of Turin.
– What impact has the Trump administration had on IP so far?
– Uber has launched a patent purchase program.
– United did not have a good week. At least one enterprising individual decided to file a trademark application for a very literal response to the incident: “I am Asian, and I do not want to be dragged by United.”
– Yesterday was the Boston Marathon, and the first woman to officially run the race in 1967 ran it again. But this time the race director didn’t chase through the marathon course, trying to rip her bib off.
– New Yorkers: The NYC Bar Association is hosting a symposium on April 24th. We are also hosting a meetup following the event. Come join us!