I ♡ Trademarks NewsletterIssue #428
Bri Van Til | April 15, 2025
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A Tariffic Strategy?
How are tariffs likely to impact IP law, and what might the tariffs mean for brand strategies?
Read a couple more analyses of the overlaps between tariffs and IP law, including the fields they’re likely to impact, here and here
A group of small businesses is suing to stop the tariffs.
Fox News reports: “Small business owners are worried about their chances of survival under President Donald Trump’s tariff plan, which has sparked the start of a possible trade war and wiped out trillions in value from the stock market.”
“Delete all IP law”
This controversial post by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey had just the four words :”Delete all IP law.”
Then Elon Musk posted in response: “I agree.”
It prompted dozens of news articles, like this one and this one, about the topic.
And there was a lot of buzz on social media as well. USPTO Deputy Director Coke Morgan Stewart weighed in by sharing that without IP, Vice President Vance’s book wouldn’t have been published or turned into a movie.
To facilitate this deletion, our dear friend Alice Denenberg has generously agreed to help Elon Musk abandon all his IP holdings.
Katies Perry
Australian designer Katie Perry is reviving her trademark infringement case against American singer Katy Perry. Also, that article has a fabulously punny title.
If you missed this fabulous webinar last week about trademarks in Australia and New Zealand, check out the recording, which includes a whole section dedicated to the Katy/Katie dispute.
And where is Katy Perry during all this? Up in space. There’s no relevance to the IP case, but I thought I’d share it anyway. Was she going to seek out E.T.? Maybe she thought it’d help her case if she increased her star power. She wanted her trademark protection to be out of this world. Or she was hoping to launch a new part of her career just in case.
Professional Concerns
As you (Abb)Vie for a better role, consider this trademark counsel position.
Chanel your energy into applying for this senior IP counsel position.
Does this listing for a trademark docketing specialist have you green with envy? Then apply to be part of the team at Kelly IP.
Have an open role on your team? Send a link to your job listing to community@altlegal.com, and we’ll publish it in our next newsletter.
Odds and Ends
The USPTO is no longer expediting design patents. To learn more about design patents, check out this great webinar recording.
Ford is bucking attempts to use its vintage Bronco logos.
Bill 96, which requires French translations on product packages sold in Canada, is set to take effect in less than two months. For an explanation of the bill, watch this webinar recorded last year.
In a precedential decision, CAFC has ruled against an opposition to iVoters, but it says the USPTO should reconsider whether the mark is too descriptive for registration.
If you’re looking for a cute Easter gift that can spark some trademark infringement discussions, consider stuffed bunnies made to look like Peeps.