Alt Legal IP News – Issue #66
Hannah Samendinger | December 05, 2017
New episode alert!
Check out our latest episode of Alt Trademarks. This episode features Josh Jarvis of Foley Hoag. We discuss his role at the firm and his appearance in the recent “Don’t Say Velcro” video.
Tell Me a Story
– Writers are claiming their ideas, including the first “funny” pirate, were pillaged by Disney to create The Pirates of the Caribbean.
– Emma Cline, author of the novel The Girls, is facing a lawsuit for claims including copyright infringement, allegedly carried out via spyware on an ex’s computer. Cline denies all such claims and is countersuing. Needless to say, this isn’t your average copyright case.
– Rival anime groups are dueling over the use of a trademark.
That Time of Year
– To prepare consumers for holiday shopping, the UK IPO has launched a “Buy Real” campaign.
– Amazon has patented a video integration that may change the way shoppers read product reviews and deter them from seeking out reviews on YouTube or other platforms.
– Amazon has also patented a self-disintegrating delivery drone, so when the drones fall from the sky, they won’t be quite so scary.
– The future of 3D printing is of considerable importance for companies like Lego and their intellectual property.
Sing It Loud
– Bud Light may have just taken the crown for the most original cease and desist, utilizing a town crier and throwing in some Super Bowl tickets for good measure.
– H&M is in hot water over garments sold in connection with Justin Beiber’s Purpose tour.
– Some “Copyright Mavericks” are working with the Sonny Bono Memorial Collection to bring old books to the public.
– An application to register a piano melody, the “Colonel Bogey March,” in connection with the sale of alcoholic beverages has been published for opposition.
Odds and Ends
– Will the Velveeta brand melt into laughter?
– A judge found that the EFF’s stupid patent of the month post is protected speech.
– An interesting trademark dispute over the phrase “all-in-one” is heating up.
– Two distilleries are disputing the validity of a trademark registration containing the word “breakfast” for distilled spirits.