I ♡ Trademarks NewsletterIssue #406
Bri Van Til | October 15, 2024
Techin’ to Extremes
Automattic is requesting $32 million per year from WP Engine for use of the WordPress trademark, despite the software being open source. Now there are countersuits, extortion allegations, and all sorts of drama. For more information about open source software and copyleft, check out this webinar recording.
The issue makes one wonder about the larger balance between open-source tech and IP.
Record labels are suing the Internet Archive, alleging that the Archive’s attempts to digitize historical recordings is copyright infringement.
As AI is getting better and better, it’s also getting harder and harder to detect, which can lead to a whole host of issues.
For the latest developments in AI—including how it impacts trademarks—make sure to join us for this webinar.
I See the Appeal
According to the 5th Circuit, ISPs have to shut down customers’ accounts if they pirate copyrighted content.
Thanks to this Warby Parker case’s focus on keywords, we can see that it’s fine to purchase keywords for a competitor’s name.
Here’s the list of other IP cases the Supreme Court opted not to hear, including an appeal about the U.S. domicile requirement.
To learn more about appeals and other big trademark cases this year, make sure to join us for this end-of-year recap webinar.
A Stern Rebuke
Metal fans are upset about a German company’s registration (and enforcement) of a trademark for BLEGH. They allege it’s a “commonplace term.” At least it is a common reaction to the registration.
The FDA is reconsidering its ban on compounded weight loss drugs, but in the meantime, the cease and desists are rolling in.
Starbucks and over a dozen other restaurants and food ordering services are being sued for allegedly infringing a patent with their ordering systems. Starbucks is, in return, alleging fraud.
The judge gave Nike a real dressing down in this trademark infringement suit.
Professional Concerns
Bring your career up to Scale with this legal director position.
Trying to rivers your career luck? Apply for this privacy counsel position at Amazon.
I’m betting you’s live a pretty Fair Life if you served as senior counsel for the nutrition products at CocaCola.
In case you don’t know Jack (Henry) about this opening, they’re hiring IP counsel.
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
If you missed last week’s webinar about the DuPont factors, don’t worry: we’re in the same boat. But I’m going to watch the recording, and so should you!
As the election nears, here’s a reminder of how political campaigns should (and more often should not) use music. And it’s also reminder that bringing IP into discussions about current events makes for fabulous content for clients and prospective clients alike. For more about this strategy, watch this amazing recording from Alt Legal Connect.
Trademark applications suggest Ukrainian businesses are making a comeback.
Skiplagged, a travel-booking site that exploits cheaper fares by booking passengers on connecting flights they’ll just skip—a procedure that can void all booked tickets for the journey—is being sued by American Airlines for trademark infringement.