Alt Legal IP News – Issue #203
Bri Van Til | August 25, 2020
Culture Is Relevant
– It’s a good idea to research the cultural connotations for proposed trademarks so that you don’t accidentally trademark a word that means “illness” or “fool” or “pubic hair” in another language or to another culture.
– The Australian aboriginal flag is copyrighted and has been licensed to a clothing company that has the exclusive right to use it on clothing. Indigenous groups are lobbying to “free” the flag.
– Knowing and understanding your clients’ cultures not only helps you better understand their legal situations, but it also helps you better represent them. Come hear Ticora Davis talk about this important topic at Alt Legal Connect. Use the code “newsletter” for a discount.
A Sporting Chance
– WNBA has filed a trademark application for “wubble,” the women’s league’s bubble equivalent. Wubble was my nickname in high school.
– Curious about trademark litigation in the equine industry? Of horse you are. Read about it here.
– WWE has transferred to Chris Jericho the rights to the name; Cody Rhodes, on the other hand, was not successful in getting the rights to his wrestling name.
– Amazon filed a patent application for a drone that lifts skiers up mountains and surfers across water. What could possibly go wrong?
Best Practice
– Can you predict the chances of overcoming a 2(d) refusal simply by looking at the literal element and the goods and services?
– Notorious copyright litigant Richard Liebowitz has gotten in trouble for misconduct in a default judgment case.
– The proposed steep hike in trademark fees could warrant a change in strategy.
Professional Concerns
– Authentic Brands Group is genuinely looking for IP and licensing counsel.
– This patent counsel position at Visa doesn’t require much travel; the job is everywhere you want to be.
– British American Tobacco has a smokin’ hot opening for senior counsel.
– If you change positions, make sure not to take any trade secrets with you: this engineer’s job changed landed him in prison.
– Have an open role on your team? Send a link to your job listing to community@altlegal.com, and we’ll publish it in our next newsletter.
Odds and Ends
– Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is suing a film production company to get back the rights to his novella because of the company’s “insufficient” treatment of his work.
– A photographer has won a lawsuit against Buzzfeed for not only using his image without permission but also removing his copyright information from it.
– Makers of this mask may have made a Terrible mistake.
– USPTO v. Booking.com may be the most important trademark case this year. Join Alt Legal and Booking.com’s attorney Jonathan Moskin to hear about how he defended the trademark and the implications of the case.