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Alt Legal Blog

Your source for news, updates and guidance on all things trademarks and intellectual property.

I ♡ Trademarks NewsletterIssue #327

Bri Van Til | March 07, 2023
2 min read

A Taste of Trademarks

There’s no topping the pun game in this short article about a sandwich shop trademark dispute.

Toblerone is going to have to remove the image of the Matterhorn from their packaging because they’re moving production out of Switzerland. I guess you could say the location matter(horn)s. Did this topic pique your interest?

Gruyère is a type of cheese, not a geographical indicator, according to a Virginia court. To celebrate, buy yourself some cheese and desist merch and support a worthwhile cause!

Curse Words

When asked why he rarely smiled, Nets player Cam Thomas replied, “AIN’T SH*T FUNNY.” He’s now filed a trademark application for the phrase.

What lessons can we learn from Lizzo’s 100% THAT BITCH trademark application and subsequent TTAB hearing?

A new Sony patent aims to facilitate gamer communications by translating communications (but removing the curse words). Would there even be anything left to translate? I guess some people game differently than others.

Art Attack

The estate of artist Joan Mitchell objects to her art being the backdrop for a Louis Vuitton handbag advertising campaign. In fact, they’d previously said no to a request to use the piece.

Might the verdict in the MetaBirkins trial have been different had the defendant’s art expert’s testimony not been excluded?

After over two years in existence, the Copyright Claims Board has decided its first case, awarding a photographer $1000 for a lawyer’s infringement of his photo.

Professional Concerns

Atrium is looking for general counsel, and I bet that can open some doors for you. I’m kind of confused, though, because I don’t think of general counsel as being an entry-level position. If you get the job, will you shout “Hallelujah!”?

Frustrated with your current job? Chanel all that energy into applying to be corporate counsel for this luxury brand.

Afraid you’re going to get sacked? Want to tackle different legal issues? Have different legal field goals than what you’re currently pursuing? Apply to be counsel for the NFL.

Someone told me: “Check out this listing for an IP licensing coordinator at Sony and share it with your friends.” I replied, “I got you, babe.”

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

Don’t miss our webinar this week, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of EU trademarks.

This $160 million award for Virgin Airlines is a reminder about the importance of reading the fine print on licensing agreements.

If you have a potential client who can’t afford your legal services, these pro bono USPTO programs might be able to help.

From boot camps to resource centers, the USPTO has tons of great resources.

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