Alt Legal IP News – Issue #81
Hannah Samendinger | March 27, 2018
Check out our latest episode of Alt Trademarks. This episode features Lauren D. Shinn of WIPO. We discuss her role at WIPO and recent updates to the UDRP.
Musically Inclined
– Advocates of the Music Modernization Act believe the legislation will benefit the music industry as a whole and increase fairness for independent musicians.
– Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a jury verdict for Marvin Gaye in a case against Pharrell and Robin Thicke. This post breaks down the decision, including some key points from a fiery dissent.
– Tyler, the Creator, is being sued for $750k for the alleged unauthorized use of a sample of a 1971 soul song.
International Waters
– As a potential trade war looms, $50 billion of Chinese goods were targeted with tariffs, possibly as a retaliation for intellectual property abuse in Beijing.
– These tariffs raise the question, how much has the U.S. lost from intellectual property theft in China?
– This episode of All Things Considered dives into the stake China has in American intellectual property.
Pizza, Games, & Movies
– An interesting trademark dispute is brewing between a YouTuber and Domino’s pizza over a Domino’s car he rebuilt after an accident.
– Fortnite, a video game that recently got a lot of attention from a live stream, could file many potential trademark applications, but the ones they are choosing to file may give more insight into the game.
– A chef is opening an ‘80s and ’90s themed burger pop-up. Is he also cooking up a potential IP dispute?
Odds and Ends
– Many articles were written last week about Amazon’s new patent but this one has my favorite headline: “Amazon patents delivery drones that can react to people screaming and flailing.”
– The internet has been buzzing with rumors about the “Yeezy” trademark. This great article breaks down why those rumors are fashion fake news.
– A specimen on the trademark application for “Cambridge Analytica” could offer some clues about their activity and spending.
– Does the new “Glade Atmosphere Collection” logo remind you of anything?