Features
Trademark Board's Precedential Ruling on Use in Commerce
In a nearly 50-page precedential opinion in a ruling of great significance to the entertainment industry, a TTAB panel of judges recently underscored the need to prove actual use in commerce in order to register a trademark, regardless of how low the standard for use under the Lanham Act has recently become.
Features
The False Claims Act Sealing Orders
<b><i>What They Say and Do Not Say</b></i><p><b><i>Part Three of a Three-Part Article</b></i><p>The question remains: Is the defendant in a False Claims Act matter barred from discussing the case, as are the relator and the government?
Columns & Departments
Development
Town Board Failed to Take 'Hard Look' at Amendment<br>Jurisdictional Determination from Army Corps<br>Developer Failed to Allege Concrete Injury
Features
Bankruptcy Venue Reform Bill
On Jan. 8, 2018, Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2018, which is designed to prevent forum shopping in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, a practice that has resulted in a concentration of bankruptcy cases in a few districts.
Features
Federal Circuit Holds Scandalous or Immoral Marks Entitled to Registration
<b><i>Refusal Is an Unconstitutional Violation of Free Speech</b></i><p>On Dec. 15, 2017, a unanimous Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that despite Appellant's mark comprising “immoral or scandalous” matter, the PTO could no longer refuse federal registration of such marks on the grounds that this refusal violated the free speech clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Columns & Departments
In the Courts
Royal Dutch Shell and Eni Head to Trial over Nigeria Corruption Allegations
Features
Bankruptcy Court Authorizes Rejection of Employment Separation Agreements
The Bankruptcy Code can be an effective tool for reducing liabilities and enhancing asset value for the benefit of creditors. One of the more important…
Features
The Sixth Circuit Creates a New Standard for Unmasking an Anonymous Copyright Infringer Post-Judgment
On Nov. 28, 2017, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued its opinion in <i>Signature Mgmt. Team, LLC v. Doe</i>. The case involved a John Doe defendant's effort to remain anonymous even after having been adjudicated liable for copyright infringement of plaintiff's business training manual.
Columns & Departments
Bit Parts
Eleventh Circuit Affirms Permanent Injunction Against Former Commodores' Member over Use of Group's Name<br>Federal Court Ruling in Trademark Battle over “Row”<br>Political Uses of Photos of Artists Ruled Transformative Fair Uses of Copyrights
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