Alt Legal IP News – Issue # 167
Bri Van Til | December 03, 2019
Get Your Drink on
– A few weeks ago we mentioned that Brexit had brought an increase in trademark applications for spirits, but beer trademarks are also on the rise in the UK.
– You can drive an Aston Martin, and apparently you can now also drink an Aston Martin. Don’t they know it’s not okay to drink and drive?
– Joseph A. Magnus & Co is suing another whiskey manufacturer for trademark infringement for using both the word Magnus and a similar logo.
Pharma’s Market
– This firm argues that the recent Federal Circuit decision in Idenix Pharmaceutical v. Gilead Sciences may invalidate over-broad pharmaceutical claims in patents.
– Democratic presidential hopefuls weigh in on pharmaceutical patents, medical costs, and patient rights.
– Where should the line be between protecting pharmaceutical companies’ patents and saving patients’ lives?
David and Goliath Battles
– An Atlanta mom is suing Target, alleging their newest line Good & Gather infringes on her Garnish & Gather trademark for a grocery and meal kit delivery service.
– Backcountry.com, which infamously sued small companies for including backcountry in their branding, is facing a boycott of their products.
– Disney may or may not have been behind Giphy’s removal of Baby Yoda gifs, but the gifs are back now, safe and sound.
– Bentley Motors was ordered to pay half a million dollars plus legal fees for infringing the trademark of a small British clothing company.
Odds and Ends
– WWE star Cody Rhodes has applied for all the trademarks: Dusty Rhodes, SuperBrawl, Slamboree, Bash at the Beach. Apparently he was “up all night trademarking stuff.”
– In an attempt to remedy the problem created by the Anthrex decision, Congress seems likely to pass legislation to authorize the Director of the USPTO to review any PTAB decision.
– Rihanna is suing her dad for, among other things, trademark infringement.
– A Massachusetts lawyer was formally reprimanded for a Facebook post about an unnamed client.