Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
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.
On Dec. 15, 2017, a unanimous Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that despite Appellant’s mark comprising “immoral or scandalous” matter under 15 U.S.C. 1052(a) (Section 2(a)), the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (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. See, In Re: Erik Brunetti, 15-1109.
*May exclude premium content
Federal Circuit Analyzes Specification and Prosecution History Claim Language Usage
By Matthew Siegal
University of Massachusetts v. L’Oréal
Absent an express disclaimer or special definition of how a term is to be interpreted, it can be frustrating to get a court to reject the plain and ordinary meaning of claim language read in a vacuum, based on the subtleties of how a term is used in a patent or its prosecution history.
One Banana, Two Banana: Can a Banana Taped to a Wall Be Copyright Protected Art?
By Robert W. Clarida and Thomas Kjellberg
On July 7, 2022, the Southern District of Florida denied a motion to dismiss in Morford v. Cattelan, which began by posing the following question: “Can a banana taped to a wall be art?”
Digital Advertising: Customer Confusion and Trademark Infringement
By Stephen M. Kramarsky and John Millson
In the absence of a federal statutory scheme specifically aimed at digital advertising practices, the courts have focused on consumer-facing issues covered by existing law, such as privacy, transparency, and deceptive or misleading advertising practices. But digital advertising technology can also present new challenges in copyright and trademark protection.
By Stan Soocher
How far back from accrual of a claim may a plaintiff reach for copyright damages?