Author Archives: rtushnet

Self-promotion: ABA Blawg 100

So it’s come to this: the ABA Blawg 100 is coming around again, and if you like 43(b)log, I’d love your help staying on it!  You can nominate by following this link.  Thanks! http://tushnet.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

When all you have is a Captain Hammer …

The costumed performers who importune passersby in Times Square are not universally beloved.  Via the WSJ comes this suggestion for getting rid of them: State Sen. Brad Hoylman, whose district includes Times Square, said the companies that created the characters … Continue reading

Posted in dilution, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, trademark | Leave a comment

Purpose-transformativeness versus content-transformativeness

In 2008, Tony Reese presciently told us that the case law on fair use “transformativeness” showed a trend towards favoring transformative purpose over transforming content, so that exact reproduction could have a very good shot at fair use.  Today’s example, … Continue reading

Posted in google, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, reading list | Leave a comment

Deceptive whiskey?

The Whiskey Reviewer announces a series evaluating the marketing claims of various whiskeys. What I found quite striking was that the claims of interest were very much centered around “authenticity,” both in production and in narrative: Potemkinism: Does the company run … Continue reading

Posted in advertising, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post | Leave a comment

intent to use successful term in ads isn’t intent to confuse

Overstock.com, Inc. v. Nomorerack.com, Inc., No. 2:13-CV-1095 (D. Utah June 30, 2014) Overstock sells a lot of stuff online: over one million products, with over six million customers last year. Nomorerack directly competes with Overstock, and has sold more than … Continue reading

Posted in trademark | Leave a comment

Your daily unauthorized use

Geisinger Medical Center is expanding.  Here’s one of the images of what the new version will look like: Okay, but who are those handsome devils (also in Slide 17 of the Geisinger slide show)? Could it be Sam and Dean … Continue reading

Posted in right of publicity, trademark | Leave a comment

NY statutory law covers B2B false advertising, but common law unfair competition doesn’t

Leason Ellis LLP v. Patent & Trademark Agency LLC, No. 13 CV 2880 (S.D.N.Y. July 2, 2014) Leason Ellis (of Trademark Blog fame) sued PTA for false advertising, unfair competition, deceptive business practices, and tortious interference with prospective economic relations. … Continue reading

Posted in http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, trademark | Leave a comment

AU Gender/IP call for papers

The Women and the Law Programand the Program on Information Justice & Intellectual Property American University Washington College of Law  Call for Papers: Eleventh Annual IP/Gender Symposium Save the Date: Friday February 27, 2015 This year, we will engage in a … Continue reading

Posted in cfps, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, patent, trademark | Leave a comment

PTO/NTIA upcoming copyright roundtables

If you want to speak up for remix culture and are around Berkeley or LA, you can still register for the Los Angeles and Berkeley Green Paper Roundtables.  Registration is open for the Los Angeles roundtable until COB July 8, … Continue reading

Posted in http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post | Leave a comment

court enjoins company’s claim to be another company’s founder

Galvotec Alloys, Inc. v. Gaus Anodes Intern., LLC, 2014 WL 2918581, No. 7:13–CV–664 (S.D. Tex. June 26, 2014) Galvotec was founded in 1984 by Rogelio Garza and brothers Luis Miguel and Ramon Galvan. Gaus was founded in 2005 by a … Continue reading

Posted in dastar, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, trademark | Leave a comment