Alt Legal IP News – Issue #209
Bri Van Til | October 06, 2020
The Apple of My i(Phone)
– Apple is being sued for copyright infringement for allegedly infringing on a set of diverse emojis.
– Russia is threatening to block Google and Apple if the companies don’t remove pirating apps from their platforms.
– Apple has patented technology that would self-heal cracked foldable iPhones. Will it charge me $129 every time it does it?
The Supreme Court
– The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in Google v. Oracle starting tomorrow. Some claim the wrong decision could seriously hinder IP protections.
– Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett has previously ruled on two copyright cases, so do they tell us anything about where she might stand on future copyright cases?
– Folks are remembering how the Notorious RBG stood up not only for women but for creators, too.
– There is no stairway to havin’ the Supreme Court review this copyright battle.
Say What?!
– Marc Jacobs is apparently next in line to file a trademark application for THE. The Ohio State University’s application has been suspended.
– ExamSoft is offering online Bar Exam software, but some allege the facial recognition software it uses can’t effectively distinguish people of color.
– Volvo filed a patent application for a steering wheel that can slide to either the left or the right front seat. If it could slide to the back, we’d have to come up with a whole new pejorative nickname for micromanagers.
– Does the USPTO give its trademark examiners points for issuing office actions? Only three weeks remain until you can hear former trademark examining attorney Courtney Alvarez explain this and more at Alt Legal Connect. Use the code “newsletter” for a discount.
Professional Concerns
– If you’ve got Skillz, you should be IP counsel here. (Wait, shouldn’t you apply if you want Skillz? Well, whatever. You get it.)
– This opening for associate general counsel at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation might not be open for long. Don’t miss your Window.
– Stoel Rives needs a docketing specialist.
– It’s hip to be Square‘s counsel, and I bet you’d Yale enthusiastically if got the job as counsel for this university.
– The Ministry of Human Resource Development in India is offering a free course in IP.
– 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
– News that Amazon had released a $500 Peloton knock-off was quickly overshadowed by news that it was not actually an Amazon product at all but one that will require rebranding.
– The Copyright Office turned 150.
– Pro tip: when a judge in a patent case asks you a question, answer it directly.
– How can legal advice become more affordable?
– When life gives you medical bills, make them into oil paintings and sell them to pay off said medical bills.