Monthly Archives: April 2023

in a Lanham Act (false advertising) case, presumptions cannot substitute for Article III injury

Posted on April 26, 2023 by rtushnet

TocMail, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp., — F.4th —-, 2023 WL 3070085, No. 22-10223 (11th Cir. Apr. 25 2023) Previous district court opinion allowing Lanham Act false advertising claims to proceed against Microsoft; applying the Article III analysis that doesn’t (yet?) … Continue reading →

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using competitor’s images in comparative advertising is fair use even when appearance isn’t being compared

Posted on April 26, 2023 by rtushnet

 I Dig Texas, LLC v. Creager Servs., LLC, 2023 WL 3066119, No. 22-CV-0097-CVE-JFJ (N.D. Okla. Apr. 24, 2023) “This case arises out of alleged misuse of copyrighted images, eventually leading to a dispute … that resulted in false business reviews, … Continue reading →

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no disgorgement under state law when false advertising wasn’t shown to result in sales

Posted on April 25, 2023 by rtushnet

Republic Technologies (NA), LLC v. BBK Tobacco & Foods, LLP, 2023 WL 3004625, No. 16 C 03401 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 19, 2023) Previous discussion. A jury found that defendant HBI engaged in unfair competition and violated the Illinois Uniform Deceptive … Continue reading →

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“Margarita Hard Seller” with no tequila isn’t deceptive

Posted on April 25, 2023 by rtushnet

Warren v. Coca-Cola Co., 2023 WL 3055196, No. 22-CV-6907 (CS) (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 21, 2023) Defendant makes Topo Chico “Margarita Hard Seltzer.” It doesn’t have any tequila in it, though it is made with agave sugars. The front label contains the … Continue reading →

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hashtags are plausibly infringing; sales claims plausibly false based on P’s own history of sales

Posted on April 25, 2023 by rtushnet

Automated Pet Care Prods., LLC v. Purlife Brands, Inc., 2023 WL 3046592, No. 22-cv-04261-VC (N.D. Cal. Apr. 21, 2023) In two opinions on the same day, the court dealt with various IP/false advertising claims brought by one litter box seller … Continue reading →

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fake meat law reinstated on appeal: intentionally misleading commercial speech gets no protection

Posted on April 25, 2023 by rtushnet

Turtle Island Foods, S.P.C. v. Strain, No. 22-30236 (5th Cir. Apr. 12, 2023) Reversing the district court, the court of appeals found that Tofurkey’s facial challenge to a Louisiana anti-fake meat law failed because the law plausibly could be read … Continue reading →

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May the Fourth promotion seen in the wild

Posted on April 21, 2023 by rtushnet

Not sure I’d want to describe my own food as Bantha meat, but ok. from Blogger http://tushnet.blogspot.com/2023/04/may-fourth-promotion-seen-in-wild.html

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consumer class settlement can’t include injunctive relief unless there’s Art. III standing to seek injunctive relief

Posted on April 20, 2023 by rtushnet

Williams v. Reckitt Benckiser LLC, — F.4th —-, 2023 WL 2906311, No. 22-11232 (11th Cir. Apr. 12, 2023) The court of appeals reversed approval of a settlement that would have provided injunctive relief and up to $8 million in monetary … Continue reading →

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paying a referral fee is a consumer injury, not a competitor injury, for Lanham Act standing purposes

Posted on April 20, 2023 by rtushnet

Lewis v. Acuity Real Estate Services, LLC, 63 F.4th 1114 (6th Cir. 2023) Acuity operates a website that connects people looking to buy or sell homes with a local real-estate agent in their area. Acuity offers its services for free … Continue reading →

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Adequate price disclosure?

Posted on April 19, 2023 by rtushnet

Seen in the wild: Sign on door: “Due to inflation, prices for some food are increasing without notice. Guests can ask the staff at any time for the updated prices. Sorry for the inconvenience!” My suspicion is that this is … Continue reading →

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