16 February

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Proview Trademark Litigation with Apple Continues

Posted by Michael

The trademark dispute between Apple and the Chinese company, Proview Technologies, is intensifying. If you remember, Proview secured the trademark for “iPad” in China back in 2000. The chain of events is not clear, but the core of the dispute is whether Apple ever obtained a proper license or acquired the use of the iPad trademark in China from the correct owner. Proview Officials in the Chinese province of Hebei seized Apple iPads from store shelves, as the battle over the iPad name in China continues to roll along. Proview Technologies has continued to put roadblocks in Apple’s way, filing complaints...

15 February

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Super Lawyers Michael N. Cohen, Rising Star 2012

Posted by Michael

in Litigation, Patent, Trademark

Cohen IP Law Group, P.C. is pleased to announce the nomination of Michael N. Cohen for inclusion in the 2012 Southern California Rising Stars Super Lawyers® publication. Super Lawyers® is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, confirmation that nominees are properly licensed, in good standing with the state licensing agency, and, when possible, that they have no history of disciplinary action that would warrant removal from the list. In addition to a general survey, an attorney-led research team reviews...

09 February

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Apple Trademark Infringement in China Again

Posted by Michael

in Litigation, Trademark

The Shenzen, China-based company called Proview Technology is still after Apple, claiming that Apple is illegally selling iPads in China. A new suit against Apple for trademark infringement was filed a few days ago, as Apple appealed a recent Chinese court decision in favor of Proview. According to lawyers for Proview, Apple only bought the rights to iPad outside of China, but Proview still owns the mark in China. Apple officially began selling the iPad in China in September 2010, after months of gray market activity amid eager buyers and sellers. But the launch was short lived and problematic due to the trademark...

03 February

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NFL Trademark Use a no-no

Posted by Michael

in Copyright, Trademark

Every year, about this time, businesses are unexpectedly sued for using two seemingly harmless words: “Super Bowl”. Any advertising, promotion or announcement that is not sanctioned by the National Football League is subject to swift legal action by the NFL. The NFL owns registered trademarks for “Super Bowl,” and “Super Bowl Sunday.” And they aggressively monitor and enforce those trademarks. “NFL,” “AFL,” and the names and nicknames of all NFL teams are also registered trademarks, owned by the NFL. In fact, even if the terms are not used, it could be considered a copyright violation if the game is broadcast on a screen larger than 55 diagonal inches,...

31 January

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China Trademark Dispute with Apple: We Own the iPad Trademark

Posted by Michael

in Litigation, Trademark

Trademark lawyers are known to be zealous advocates for their owners' marks. But Apple’s lawyers will not quit by appealing the court ruling in China that rejected its ownership of the iPad trademark in that country. Last month, the Higher People’s Court of Guangdong Province ruled that a local company, Proview International actually owns the trademark in China. According to Apple, they bought the rights to the name legally from a UK-based company known as I.P. Applications. I.P. Applications had previously purchased the mark from a Proview subsidiary in Taiwan. But the Chinese court ruled that the Proview subsidiary did...

16 January

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SOPA Blackout Gathers Momentum, Includes Wikipedia

Posted by Michael

in Copyright

If you’re planning on using Wikipedia this Wednesday, January 18th, you may be disappointed. The web site is strongly considering a 12-hour blackout, to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act, or “SOPA.” Other major sites, most notably Reddit.com have already announced blackouts that day. According to a statement by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales on a recent Wiki discussion board: “I’m all in favor of it, and I think it would be great if we could act quickly to coordinate with Reddit. I’d like to talk to our government affairs advisor to see if they agree on this as useful timing, but...

10 January

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Trademark Basics for the Business Lawyer by Michael Cohen , California – AttorneyEvents

Posted by Michael

in Trademark, Uncategorized

Trademark Basics for the Business Lawyer by Michael Cohen , California – AttorneyEvents....

04 January

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Rose Bowl Copyright Infringement

Posted by Michael

in Copyright

Copyright litigation can be tricky without an attorney. Take, for example, the case of David Bartholomew, a man who claims he is the original designer of the Rose Bowl and Parade logo. Bartholomew claims he came up with the logo while attending school at Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design in 1977. Bartholomew claims that he made the design and gave it to the tournament’s staff, who released it a few years later as the work of a different student, Susan Karasic. Karasic vehemently denies any of this, and says that she has various sketchbook drawings, showing the evolution of...

29 December

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Young Buck Trademark Bankruptcy

Posted by Michael

in Trademark

What’s the real value of intellectual property? Consider the recent case of rapper David Brown, aka “Young Buck.” The Tennessean recently reported that Buck is has fallen on some rough times, and is involved in a bankruptcy case. Buck owes money for child support, taxes, and a reported $10 million to his current label – 50 Cent’s G-Unit records. If the judge in the case approves a bankruptcy liquidation, the most valuable piece of property he stands to lose is his trademarked name. Buck wants to sign with Cash Money Records, and claims that if signed, he could pay his debts...

18 November

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Patents and the Stock Market

Posted by Michael

in Patent

Time and again I am reminded what an important asset patents can be to company’s growth or continued existence. For example, I was reading an article in the Motley Fool today and their review of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the owners of the “K-Cup” for coffee. The author quoted: “My Foolish colleague Rick Munarriz says he’ll be buying shares of Green Mountain by week’s end because the Keurig machine remains popular, the patent expiration battle is overblown, and the stock is cheap. I think what he’s doing amounts to balancing a steaming cup of coffee in his lap. The K-cup is...

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