I ♡ Trademarks NewsletterIssue #483
Bri Van Til | June 16, 2026
Sign up for Alt Legal’s mildly humorous, pun-filled “I ♡ Trademarks” weekly newsletter to stay current on all things trademarks and IP.
AIs Wide Shut
How is AI changing the IP landscape, and will AI vs. copyright be “the biggest battle in the 21st century”?
Companies are licensing some of their characters for AI companies to use.
Publishers in the UK will be able to opt out of having their work appear in AI search results, but the decision isn’t easy or clear.
Say you, [but don’t] say me, says Lionel Richie, the latest celebrity to file trademarks to protect his identify from AI. If he gets the trademarks, he might be once, twice, three times protected.
This is yet another case of attorneys getting in trouble for their use of AI.
Making Clients Content
As much as we’ve seen attorneys struggle with the legal implications of AI use, imagine what clients are going through. Check out this innovative AI practice our friends at Falcon Rappaport have put together.
This breakdown of the Pattie Gonia trademark issue—and why Patagonia wants her to take a hike—is super helpful for clients.
Here’s a brief video explaining the Katy Perry vs. Katie Perry case to clients.
What’s the difference between copyright infringement and parody? This firm explains to clients that the work has to be “the brunt of the joke.”
I FIFA My IP
An artist’s mural was painted over to make space for art for the World Cup, and he’s suing FIFA and the building’s owner. You could say he’s upset about the cover-up.
I don’t know how he’s doing with goals, but French soccer player Kylian Mbappe is currently dominating the competition for registered trademarks; he’s outscored Ronaldo and Messi both in that department.
A charity raffling tickets to the World Cup got in trouble for violating FIFA’s trademark and ticketing policies. Not only did they stop the raffle, but they also might’ve lost the tickets, making the whole venture—like many soccer games—pointless. Ya know, ’cause they end up tied 0-0.
If you haven’t advised clients about how to avoid getting in trouble for misusing FIFA and World Cup-related trademarks, that might be a discussion worth having.
China’s soccer team didn’t make it to the World Cup, but brands have sponsored one of the country’s refs—the famous Card Master—to come represent the country.
Professional Concerns
Is your current job feeling a little (Barker) Brettell right now? Consider this strong and stable trademark administrator position instead.
Nothing Mars your résumé like failing to take advantage of fabulous opportunities like this AGC of marketing position.
From what I can gauge, you’d make fabulous regulatory counsel for Meter.
Origami Risk is looking for senior counsel. I guess they want someone who will make their opponents fold?
Have an open role on your team? Email us at [email protected], and we’ll try to get it in our next newsletter!
Odds & Ends
If you missed our great webinar last week about geographical indications, you can find the recording here.
You can now use the USPTO’s TTAB Center to respond to motions and board orders.
An arbitrator has ruled that revoking USPTO employees’ telework capabilities violated labor laws.