I ♡ Trademarks NewsletterIssue #346
Bri Van Til | July 25, 2023
Accessory to Infringement
New Samsung trademark applications suggest that the term “phone ring” might take a slightly more literal meaning.
Jessica Simpson is suing the owner of JESSICA’S EVERYTHING SHOP, claiming allowing the mark to proceed without a surname would lead to confusion.
A couple of bag companies are quite upset about the alleged use of their backpacks in the newest Indiana Jones film.
The NFL sent a cease and desist to apparel company DNO, claiming the company’s logo (which features a fleur-de-lis) infringes the league’s trademarks.
X Communication
Twitter is rebranding to X, including dropping the famous bird logo, leading to tons of questions and a lot of speculation.
Critics are saying the rebrand is “destined to fail.”
And others are saying (with varying legitimacy) the mark won’t be registrable because of existing X trademarks held by Microsoft, Meta, and Japanese rock band X Japan.
Just over a month after the Oxford English Dictionary added the word “tweet” to refer to posting on Twitter, apparently a user will now be “sending an X” instead. Methinks the OED will forego adding that one. You might say they’d X out the possibility.
Don’t Worry, Barbie
Barbie has set box office records for its opening weekend. Not surprisingly, Mattel now has plans for 45 more toy-based movies.
How does the recent Rogers v. Grimaldi Supreme Court decision relate to the Barbie movie?
Not everyone is celebrating Barbie’s branding success; this British artist is selling a paint he calls “The Barbiest Pink.” Relatedly, here’s a rather in-depth history of the color pink in fashion.
Mattel is concerned that people will confuse BRBY for Barbie, so they’ve filed an opposition to Burberry’s trademark application for the abbreviation.
Not everyone is celebrating Barbie’s branding success; this British artist is selling a paint he calls “The Barbiest Pink.” Relatedly, here’s a rather in-depth history of the color pink in fashion.
Professional Concerns
If you’re looking at your career and thinking you need to switch your play, perhaps it’s time to call an Audible; they’re looking for content counsel.
This position as associate counsel could be the Bedrock of your career strategy.
Is your current job the (Michael) Best you can do? If not, consider serving as the firm’s trademark paralegal supervisor.
Inspire the next move in your career by becoming Hitachi‘s senior IP counsel.
There are a Brazilian reasons why you should apply for this IP advisor position with the Department of Commerce.
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
The USPTO has revised its guidelines for some documents, paving the way for electronic signatures. See the Examination Guide for details.
Taco Bell and Taco John’s fight over the term TACO TUESDAY is over, with the latter pledging to donate some of the money it would have spent on legal fees to restaurant workers. They’re asking their taco rivals to do the same.
Taco John’s may have relinquished its right to use TACO TUESDAY, but this restaurant that holds the mark exclusively in New Jersey said that they won’t back down.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has registered a trademark for ZELENSKYY for clothing, military supplies, and hundreds of other goods, including meat grinders.