Category Archives: Uncategorized

Something smells: new product makes competitor’s claims instantly literally false

Playtex Prods., LLC v. Munchkin, Inc., 2016 WL 1276450, No. 14-cv-1308 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 29, 2016)   Playtex makes a diaper pail, the Diaper Genie, with three current varieties: Diaper Genie Elite, Diaper Genie Essentials, and Diaper Genie Mini. Soiled diapers … Continue reading

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idea/expression distinction saves Toyota ad from infringement claim

Croak v. Saatchi & Saatchi, North America, Inc., No. 15 Civ. 7201 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2016)   James Croak created a sculpture, “Pegasus, Some Loves Hurt More Than Others,” a mixed-media, life- sized work that was first exhibited in 1983. … Continue reading

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Copyright Registration Practice with Rob Kasunic

Copyright Registration Practice with Robert Kasunic Wednesday, April 06, 20162:00 PM – 5:30 PMAmerican University Washington College of Law4300 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DCCeremonial Courtroom NT01 Where I’ll be tomorrow, probably talking about jigsaw puzzles: Robert Kasunic, the Associate Register … Continue reading

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Trademark issues seen in NYC

Toy Store: Might Pixar have anything to say? Banned books matchbooks: Slaughterhouse-Five and Fahrenheit 451   from Blogger http://ift.tt/1UPFK2x

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comments on 512 from the Organization for Transformative Works

Available here.  I look forward to participating in the Copyright Office’s roundtable as well.  from Blogger http://ift.tt/25AEJig

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User-generated discontent: patents, gender, and innovation

The NYT has a fascinating story about innovation, menstruation, and the challenges of seeking backing for a project that combines the two. from Blogger http://ift.tt/25AEJ1E

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Smokeless, no fire: tobacco advertising & TM claims dismissed

VMR Products, LLC v. V2H ApS, 2016 WL 1177834, No. 2:13–cv–7719 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 18, 2016)   VMR makes electronic cigarettes under the federally registered trademarks V2CIGS and V2. V2H ApS is a Danish tobacco company that makes a smokeless … Continue reading

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Bar review question: is this false advertising?

Themis Bar Review, LLC v. Kaplan, Inc., 2016 WL 1162624, No. 14-cv-00208 (S.D. Cal. Mar. 24, 2016)   Themis, a relative newcomer to the bar review business, advertised its students’ bar passage rates; a 2013 ad listed passage rates for … Continue reading

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Foreign marks may be protected in the US under 43(a), Fourth Circuit rules

Belmora LLC v. Bayer Consumer Care AG, No. 15-1335 (4th Cir. Mar. 23, 2016)   Disclosure: I worked on the brief for Belmora, the loser in this appeal.    Bayer (BCC) registered FLANAX in Mexico for pharmaceutical products, analgesics, and … Continue reading

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Amicus brief in Fox v. TVEyes appeal

Arguing that TVEyes’ database and its functions are fair use.  Thanks to the signers, especially Chris Sprigman, & I’m also grateful for the last-minute help of Michael Levy, for when I discovered that being an e-filer in the Second Circuit … Continue reading

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