Skip To Content

Start typing and press enter to search

Alt Legal Blog

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

Alt Legal IP News – Issue # 175

Bri Van Til | February 11, 2020
2 min read

Drugs

– Chinese scientists have applied for a patent for an experimental Gilead Sciences drug that scientists believe could be effective at treating the coronavirus.

– I pity the fool who allegedly infringed on Mr. T’s trademark and used it to sell cannabis.

– What are the big questions policy makers should be considering when it comes to reforming pharmaceutical patents?

Updates to Recent Stories

– Disney apologized for sending a bill to a Bay-area PTA for their screening of The Lion King and waived the fee. Their CEO now says he’ll personally donate to the organization.

– The USPTO said no to trademarking OK BOOMER, essentially stating that the phrase is too popular to be trademarked.

– Dickinson Wright attorney William Honaker offers some advice to be learned from Harry and Meghan’s application to trademark SUSSEX ROYAL.

I Liked Beer. I Still Like Beer.

– Yet another individual, this time in Italy, has filed a trademark application for SUSSEX ROYAL. Among the 6 goods and services listed on the application is beer.

– An Austin brewer is suing Molson Coors for trademark infringement, claiming Brizzy is too similar to their own beverage, Vizzy.

– After two Australian brewers disputed one another’s rights to use “Urban” in their branding, an Australian Federal Court judge has ruled that “urban” is a popular descriptor for beer and is therefore not subject to trademark protection.

Professional Concerns

– Moving into an in-house position? Here’s a handy guide. Just wanting to get better at working with in-house counsel? Come to Alt Legal Connect’s session on hiring, working with, and firing in-house counsel.

– Arent Fox wants a patent attorney or agent.

– Thomson Reuters is looking for a Senior IP Legal Editor.

– Have an open role on your team? Send a link to your job listing to [email protected], and we’ll publish it in our next newsletter.

Odds and Ends

– The USPTO has announced its new Commissioner for Trademarks: David Gooder.

– Apparently to the shock of many trademark attorneys, titles of books and movies are not protectable by trademark.

– INTA’s CEO wants everyone to know that INTA is still on (for now). Can’t make it to Singapore this year? Come to Alt Legal Connect! Use the code “newsletter” for a discount!

– After this week, trademark applications must be submitted electronically. However, the USPTO is facing backlash for requiring email addresses on applications.

Switching is easy with free data migration

Request a Demoor sign up for a free trial

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.