Alt Legal IP News: Issue #246
Bri Van Til | June 29, 2021
Global IP Protection
The Bombay High Court in India has found that using trademarks in news articles is fair game. Whew!
What evidence helps you prove ownership of your trademark in international filings? This recorded panel discussion offers insights.
Japanese police have arrested three men for copyright infringement for their “fast movies,” edited and significantly shortened versions of full-length films. The trio’s works are alleged to have cost movie producers close to a billion dollars.
This author explores the role IP will likely play in the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Union Minister in India is upset that his posts were removed from Twitter for alleged DMCA violations, which he says violates the country’s IT rules.
Which international treaties can you use to your advantage when you’re considering filing internationally? And which countries require use prior to registration? Join us for this Alt Legal Connect session to learn all about international filings.
Reuse
Self-plagiarism seems not to violate copyright law, but it’s still frowned upon in the academic world. This researcher has studied text recycling and published guidance for its use.
“Look what you made me do,” said Taylor Swift to her previous record label, which has folks asking when, and under what circumstances, an artist can rerecord their songs.
Stuttering John sued Sirius XM for using his name and recordings without his permission, but the U.S. District Court judge ruled that federal copyright law preempted state publicity rights.
Musicians’ Business
Damon Dash, a one-thirds owner of Roc-A-Fella Records, tried to sell an NFT of the copyright of Jay-Z’s debut album, but the label has sued him to block the sale.
Ringo Starr has dropped his lawsuit against a sex toy company now that they’ve agreed to use the mark only in connection with certain products and to put a space in the name of their product, Ring O.
Kanye West wants Walmart to stop producing knockoffs of his shoes, but they’re all like, “Your shoes aren’t even protected by IP, man, so take it Yeezy!”
Professional Concerns
CBS—which is a television network, not the newest book in the Dick and Jane series—is looking for senior counsel.
If your eye Waters every time you think of going to your current job, consider being commercial counsel for this life sciences company.
If you become associate counsel for HBO, maybe you should suggest a rename. Since so many people are still working from home, should it become HBH (Home Box Home)?
I got the Intel that this tech company is looking for someone to lobby Congress to help shape IP policy on their behalf.
Is your current job Toast? Consider being IP counsel for this tech company.
I’m not sure if you can get all the details about this ethics and compliance counsel position or just see a Synopsys.
Looking to make your career bloom? Consider applying to be an associate attorney for Erik Pelton & Associates.
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
What aspects of drag culture are protected by copyright?
Next Monday is when we celebrate Independence Day, but it’s also the 75th anniversary of the passage of the Lanham Act. In honor of this momentous occasion, this week only you can get $46 off your ticket for Alt Legal Connect. Use the code “Lanham” (case-sensitive) for a discount. Ticket prices won’t go any lower, so buy now!
Is the unauthorized use of the terms associated with another culture an insult or an honor? Relatedly, folks are kind of upset that Disney has applied for a trademark for the name of a god.
What is UPL, and what are the limitations to what paralegals and others who aren’t lawyers can do? Check out the latest section of the Alt Legal Trademark Paralegal Course to learn all about this.
The USPTO is experiencing higher than average application volume, so your application may be delayed. Thank you for continuing to hold.
How is the Biden Administration likely to change patent policy?