Torrent Wars: Copyright trolls, legitimate IP rights, and the need for new rules vetting evidence and to amend the Copyright ActBy Jeffrey J. AntonelliIntellectual Property, October 2013The problems caused by the current wave of BitTorrent copyright litigation flooding the federal courts is a classic case of the law needing to catch up to the current state of technology. In the article Torrent Wars the writer describes the Litigation abuses need to be curbed to avoid the continued burdening of innocent individuals and families becoming defendants to federal copyright litigation. Amendments to the Copyright Act are suggested to minimize the cap on statutory damages to $5,000 for consumers who infringe without a monetary purpose, rather than $150,000, as well as to screen complaints based on the Maryland District Court’s special Master process.
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board not flip about the birdBy Steven L. Baron & Natalie A. HarrisIntellectual Property, October 2013The Lanham Act forbids registration of "immoral" and "scandalous" trademarks. Some decisions appear arbitrary. Luxuria's beverage bottle with raised middle finger was refused registration.
How to stop a competitor from getting a patentBy Eric R. WaltmireIntellectual Property, June 2013A review of the options to consider in light of a known or suspected pending patent application.
Joint CLE in Colorado?Intellectual Property, June 2013If a CLE session in Boulder, CO in 2014 sounds appealing, make sure your voice is heard!
Seventh Circuit addresses trademark confusion in movie titleBy Steve Mandell, Steven L. Baron, & Elizabeth MorrisIntellectual Property, June 2013The Seventh Circuit recently affirmed a Northern District of Illinois court’s dismissal of a trademark case where a movie title allegedly infringed upon the name of a musical group.
Insurance coverage for IP-related business claimsBy Dale R. KurthCorporate Law Departments, May 2013It is important to have some understanding of what is covered, what is not, and what the basics of making an insurance claim are.
Joint CLE in Colorado?Intellectual Property, May 2013If a CLE session in Boulder, CO in 2014 sounds appealing, make sure your voice is heard!
IP USA Federal Date AnswersBy Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, March 2013The answers to the questions posed in the second article of this issue.
IP USA federal date quizBy Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, March 2013Can you name the intellectual property events associated with these events?
Plaintiff’s covenant moots counterclaim of trademark invalidityBy Eric R. WaltmireIntellectual Property, March 2013Already LLC v. Nike Inc., deals with whether a plaintiff trademark holder can easily moot a case when a defendant challenges the validity of the trademark and what impact the mooting will have on the plaintiff’s trademark rights.
Intellectual property: Do you own it and consequences of not owning itBy David H. LevittBusiness and Securities Law, February 2013In patent law, the owner of the work is the inventor. In copyright law, the person who fixes the expression in a tangible medium is the creator of the work—and the owner of the copyright.
An examination of software patents: Under Secretary of Commerce for IP & Director of the USPTO David Kappos’ November 20, 2012 Center for American Progress keynote addressBy David KapposIntellectual Property, December 2012PTO Director David Kappos discusses how intellectual property (IP) is a key driver of economic growth, exports, and job creation, the global currency for creating value. Software patents, like all patents, are a form of innovation currency and ecosystem enablers. Those who invest in breakthrough innovation deserve respect for their IP. Usually key players agree to pro-consumer solutions via licenses or joint development. Patents are enshrined in the Constitution, one of the few, if not only, clauses giving Congress the right to create personal property.
Fifty shades of counsel: Fan fiction in 2012By Shannon A.R. BondIntellectual Property, December 2012Fan fiction—sincere flattery or copyright infringement. Stephanie Meyer's Master of the Universe, E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey, and avoiding trouble.
Intellectual Improbabilities™By Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, December 2012Eclectic snippets from recent events. PTO warns of insolicitous solicitations; INTA launches teen ed UnrealCampaign.com; ND CA issues ESI Guidelines; FTC recommends truth telling; Academia IP; Ars Gratia Artis; EU; etc.
T-T-A-BBy John L. WelchIntellectual Property, December 2012TTAB writes VILLAGE PEOPLE (singers of famed Y-M-C-A aerobic song) not generic; John Welch sings T-T-A-B.
The truth, nothing but the truth—And the threat to the First AmendmentBy Steven HelleIntellectual Property, December 2012Plaintiffs plead for regulation of truthful speech plucked from the Internet's powerful potential for privacy invasion. Nieman v. Versuslaw; Martin v. Hearst Corp.
Contract litigation expense insuranceBy Kenneth T. TegliaIntellectual Property, September 2012Contract Litigation Insurance (CLI) allows individuals and businesses to insure a significant portion of the financial risk —having to pay the winners’ attorneys’ fees—that arises concomitantly with the initiation of contract dispute litigation. Plaintiffs and defendants can apply, even after the complaint is filed. Simpler than most other insurance, there is no complicated claims adjustment or issues interpreting coverage or exclusionary language—the court's official ruling activates policy coverage.
Intellectual improbabilities™By Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, September 2012Short summaries and comments on recent IP cases, Government requests for comment, and other notices.
Presentation on the proposed amendments to the EU Data Privacy DirectiveBy Eric GoldmanIntellectual Property, September 2012The CONSENT project is a multi-year, multi-million dollar research project, funded by the European Union, to conduct empirical research on consumer privacy issues in Europe. Ultimately, the research findings should feed into the EU's evaluation of proposed amendments to the 1995 EU Data Privacy Directive. Eric Goldman summarizes and comments on the project participants' meeting in Romania.
Recap of the Fourth Trademark Scholars Roundtable at DePaul UniversityBy Eric GoldmanIntellectual Property, September 2012The fourth Trademark scholars Roundtable discussed trademark boundaries at its DePaul University meeting: how trademark law abuts other legal doctrines such as copyright, patent, publicity, and legally unregulated areas. Summary of discussion and Eric Goldman's neo-classical economical perspective.
Did Bosch v. Pylon change the landscape for permanent injunctions?By Natasha WhiteIntellectual Property, June 2012Although the federal Circuit's Bosch v. Pylon decision eliminated the presumption of irreparable harm, it also affirmed the lack of a presumption against irreparable harm and weaved the exclusive right of a patentee into the injunctive relief analysis factors. Practical effects are discussed.
Intellectual improbabilities™By Daniel KeganIntellectual Property, June 2012An eclectic gathering of recent intellectual property news and cases.
LLC members in online store Venture Bound by Partnership Fiduciary Duties—Health and Body Store v. Justbrand LimitedBy Venkat BalasubramaniIntellectual Property, June 2012Another group of people attempt a Web venture with zero documentation and end up in court. One of the many perennial themes of this blog is that people must spell out the terms of any Web venture in advance. This includes everything from a joint blogging arrangement to a jointly operated online store or a simple Web development agreement.
Tea Partiers wage war against each other over a Google Groups account—Kremer v. Tea Party PatriotsBy Eric GoldmanIntellectual Property, June 2012It's crucial for newly formed organizations to definitively address the ownership of trademarks and other virtual assets from day one, when everyone still loves each other. When the ownership issue comes up later, it's usually because the principals are locked in a death-match and are beyond the point of reaching sensible compromises.