26 May

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Hangover Copyright Infringement of Tyson Tattoo?

Posted by Michael

The Hangover: Part II, set to hit theaters this Thursday, will not be hampered by a copyright infringement lawsuit, at least for now. The tattoo on Mike Tyson’s face was done by tattoo artist S. Victor Whitmill, and Whitmill’s work is distinct enough that he doesn’t want anyone copying it. That includes Ed Helms’ character, in the second installment of the Hangover saga. The problem is that Helms’ tattoo wasn’t done by Whitmill, and he claims Warner Bros. took unlawful liberty in reproducing his distinct style on someone else’s face. Someone else’s high-profile face, that is. The tattoo factors highly...

27 April

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Bratz’s Copyright Infringement Trial Comes to an End…For Now

Posted by Michael

in Copyright, Litigation

After more than seven years, 70 witnesses, and thousands of exhibits, a verdict has been reached in the roller-coaster “Bratz” dolls trial. The trial (Bryant v. Mattel, 04-09049, U.S. District Court, Central District of California) pitted toy making giants Mattell, Inc. against Van Nuys based MGA Entertainment, Inc. over the rights to the wildly popular line of Bratz dolls. Mattell originally filed its lawsuit accusing MGA of stealing trade secrets and copyright infringement seeking. MGA began manufacturing the dolls after toy designer and former Mattell employee Carter Bryant sold them the idea in 2000. Mattell claimed that Bryant thought of...

19 April

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Jay Z’s Trademark Battle with Volcom

Posted by Michael

in Litigation, Trademark

Apparently, Orange County-based surf/skate company Volcom finds Jay Z’s Roc Nation label’s logo a little too close for comfort. The clothing designer recently filed a trademark infringement suit (Volcom Inc. (VLCM), v. Roc Nation LLC, 8:11-cv-00489-JST-FFM, U.S. District Court, Central District of California). The suit arises over the use of an inverted “double diamond” design common to both logos. While it’s true that Volcom, Inc. has priority of use with the logo (since 1991), Roc Nation claims its logo is unique and not an infringement. According the article on Bloomberg.com, Volcom has asked Beverly Hills-based Roc Nation to cease and desist...

14 March

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Twitter Alleges Trademark Infringement

Posted by Michael

in Litigation, Trademark

Recently, Twitter suspended two of its affiliates Twidroid and Uber Twitter for alleged trademark infringement and privacy violations. The interesting thing is that it appears that UberMedia, the owner and operator of the third-party Twitter applications Twidroid and Uber Twitter, is buying up a roster of apps that may possibly compete with Twitter in the future. The company started as a client of Twitter that provided applications to enhance Twitter’s functions. Carolyn Penner, official spokesperson for Twitter issued this statement, which seems to downplay the suspension: “We ask all developers in Twitter ecosystem to abide by a simple set of rules that...

11 February

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Thomas Edison’s Birthday

Posted by Michael

in Patent

Happy Birthday! To Thomas Alva Edison that is. Who knew his middle name was Alva? He is 164 year old this year today, so Google has celebrated his B-Day with a doodle encapsulating his best inventions. Google has been known to use some interesting logos on particular holidays or other special days. Edison’s birthday is one of those days using his inventions such as the phonograph and lightbulb. Happy Birthday Mr. Edison, you are remembered as one of America’s greatest inventors, scientist, and businessman that created inventions that shaped and changed the United States and the world. Los Angeles Trademark Lawyer...

12 January

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P Diddy Trademark Issue with Ididdy

Posted by Michael

in Trademark

P.Diddy Opposes “Ididdy” Headphones Pacific Rim, Inc., maker of a new brand of headphones for iPods and iPhones, apparently isn’t too familiar with pop culture, and possible trademark conflicts with its new “iDiddy” headphones. Rapper P.Diddy (or Diddy) was quick on the draw to oppose the mark with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the USPTO. It seems pretty clear that a set of headphones could carry an association with a popular hip-hop icon. Especially when P.Diddy already has a trademarked merchandise brand called “P.Diddy.” Adding to Pacific Rim’s blunder, they filed a use-based application, when the headphones had actually never...

05 January

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Gibson Guitar sues Paper Jamz for Trademark Infringement

Posted by Michael

in Litigation, Trademark

In the last few years, games such as Rock Band and Guitar Hero have turned everyday Joe’s into rock stars. Following this trend, the new toy guitars called “Paper Jamz” feature pre-programmed songs that can be played with ease by pretty much anyone with two hands. Apparently some ‘real’ guitar makers aren’t too crazy about all this competition. Gibson Guitar Corp. sued Wowwee U.S.A, Inc. (makers of Paper Jamz) last month in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, for Trademark Infringement (Case No. 2:10-cv-08884-RGK RZ). The toy guitars were already being sold around the country at Target,...

16 November

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Best Inventions of 2010

Posted by Michael

in Patent

The end of the year is still a few months off, but Time magazine has decided to call it early… Last week, Time issued its annual “50 Best Inventions”article. It’s an interesting and fun look at (arguably) the cream of this year’s crop of ingenuity and creativity. Some of these inventions, like the iPad and the first synthetic cell, have raised eyebrows across the globe, while others, like a green-energy underwater kite and spray-on fabric, have gone under the radar. Whether you’re an inventor or not, the inventions are sure to make you rethink current ways of doing things, and...

11 November

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Attention Inventors: Everyday Edisons – Casting Call

Posted by Michael

in Patent

Think you have a good idea? The Emmy and Telly-Award-winning PBS television show “Everyday Edisons” announced recently that it is currently casting for its fourth season, set to air summer of 2011. The program is looking for 10 small-time inventors with big ideas. According to their Web site, www.edisonnation.com: They will pick 10 outstanding innovations. All it takes is a great idea. As they say, give yours a shot at success and find out if you have what it takes to become an “Everyday Edison!” The winning invention featured on the show will have the option to enter a contract to receive...

07 October

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Hard Rock Cafe Trademark Issues: Not Too Happy About Free Publicity

Posted by Michael

in Litigation, Trademark

Among the already-raunchy assortment of reality TV shows, the new “Rehab: Party at the Hard Rock Hotel” is pushing the envelope. And the Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. chain (a different company than Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel & Casino) doesn’t find the debauchery very entertaining. The Hard Rock Café recently filed a law suit for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and a variety of other charges regarding the tarnishing of Hard Rock’s image. Hard Rock Hotel is a licensee of the Hard Rock brand. But Hard Rock Café now wants to revoke that license agreement. The case is No. 1:10cv07244-UA, filed...

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