Intellectual Property

The mark of the wise

By Legal Week | December 8, 2009

During the past decade and a half, the internet has grown from a small array of a few thousand websites to a vast network of hundreds of millions of distinct sites containing billions of web pages. Although the internet has presented a new frontier for both trademark use and infringement, the growth of social media sites during the past few years has posed particular challenges for brand owners. These sites, which include blogs, virtual worlds, marketplaces, image networks and relative newcomers such as Facebook and Twitter, allow users to interact with each other, effectively building a community.

1 minute read

Jedi lawyer watches over Star Wars empire

By Legal Week | November 27, 2009

David Anderman insists that he has never been bored during his 11 years with his current employers - Lucasfilm, the production company founded in 1971 by Star Wars creator George Lucas. In 1973, Lucasfilm released its second feature film, American Graffiti. Made on a $750,000 (£460,000) budget, the movie grossed more than $100m (£61m), and Lucasfilm has since grown to become one of the world's leading entertainment companies.

1 minute read

Jedi lawyer watches over Star Wars empire

By Legal Week | November 27, 2009

David Anderman insists that he has never been bored during his 11 years with his current employers - Lucasfilm, the production company founded in 1971 by Star Wars creator George Lucas. In 1973, Lucasfilm released its second feature film, American Graffiti. Made on a $750,000 (£460,000) budget, the movie grossed more than $100m (£61m), and Lucasfilm has since grown to become one of the world's leading entertainment companies.

1 minute read

Howrey recruits De Brauw IP partner for Amsterdam base

By Legal Week | November 25, 2009

Howrey is set to boost its Amsterdam office with the hire of a partner from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek. Intellectual property (IP) specialist Joris van Manen will join the US firm's Dutch outfit in January 2010, becoming the seventh partner in the 23-lawyer office. Van Manen advises and litigates in trademark, copyright, media, internet and ICT matters.

1 minute read

Microsoft finds a low-cost window to battle those pricey pirates

By Legal Week | November 11, 2009

Microsoft doesn't take piracy lightly. Last year the software giant filed dozens of lawsuits against counterfeit software makers. And with few exceptions, they were, like most piracy cases, similar and predictable. That's why piracy cases are ideally suited for alternative fee arrangements with outside counsel, says Microsoft senior attorney Mary Jo Schrade. So about a year ago, Schrade approached lawyers at Seattle-based firm Perkins Coie about handling the company's piracy cases for a flat fee. "We thought this would be a perfect place to start," Schrade says.

1 minute read

Asda IP dispute hits delay due to Pinsents' Xmas shelf-stacking duties

By Legal Week | November 4, 2009

A High Court dispute involving Specsavers and Asda has been delayed in part due to the requirement that lawyers from Pinsent Masons - the supermarket's main adviser - are available to stack shelves at the supermarket during the Christmas period. The dispute began when Specsavers accused Asda of infringing on its trademarks with an online advertising campaign which used the slogan "Be a real spec saver at Asda". The first round closed yesterday (3 November), with the next trial date originally set for January.

1 minute read

Commentary: J'accuse! The battle over Google books hits Europe

By Legal Week | November 4, 2009

The legal wrangling over Google Books - the internet giant's wildly ambitious project to become one of the largest libraries and booksellers in the world - has taken on an international flavour. In late September a French publisher accused the ubiquitous search engine of breaking French copyright law in its effort to scan millions of books. Debate is now taking off across Europe.

1 minute read

Bird & Bird makes up three partners outside of usual promotions round

By Legal Week | November 2, 2009

Bird & Bird has made up three new partners outside of the firm's regular promotions round. The promotions, which took effect yesterday (1 November), see one new partner made up in each of the firm's Finland, Spain and Sweden offices.

1 minute read

Hammonds partner duo quit to join Eversheds in Munich

By Legal Week | October 20, 2009

The head of Hammonds' Munich office is set to join Eversheds along with one other partner to launch a new practice group. Herbert Kunz will head up a new patent services and prosecution practice at Eversheds in Munich alongside partner Michael Schneider, who also joins from Hammonds.

1 minute read

Protection of IP is essential for clean energy advances

By Legal Week | October 20, 2009

In December, world leaders are meeting in Copenhagen to agree a strategy to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The success of any strategy will ultimately depend upon the development and dissemination of clean technology throughout the world. As a result, world leaders are coming under intense pressure to relax patent protection to facilitate the transfer of clean technology to the developing world. However, it is questionable whether such a move would really promote the use of clean technology.

1 minute read

New York Law Journal

'Be Careful What We Wish For': Jury Rules for Hermès in Historic MetaBirkin NFT Trademark Trial

By Jane Wester | February 8, 2023

The jury began deliberating Monday afternoon and on Wednesday morning awarded $133,000 in net profits and statutory damages to Hermès, represented by Baker & Hostetler.

3 minute read

Law.com

Live Webinar: The Crypto Landscape Post-FTX

By Steve Salkin | February 8, 2023

Join us for a free, live webinar on the current status and near-future outlook for the blockchain (crypto) sector. NY Cyber CLE credits and CLE credits in other states available.

2 minute read

New Jersey Law Journal

100% That Firm: These New Jersey Lawyers Just Helped Lizzo Win a Major Legal Victory

By Charles Toutant | February 6, 2023

"What the board rested its decision on was the fact that Lizzo seemed to constantly attach the phrase to herself, and her musical services, so that she's not selling T-shirts that say '100% That Bitch.' She is selling T-shirts that say Lizzo on the front and '100% That Bitch' on the back," said law professor Christine Haight Farley of American University.

5 minute read

Law.com

Patent Litigation Against Automakers Gives Standing to Non-Party Supplier, Judge Says

By Allison Dunn | February 3, 2023

"The specific circumstances of this case—and, more importantly, of Westport's allegations against Bosch's customers—indicates that there is a 'substantial controversy' between Bosch and Westport, that is of 'sufficient immediacy and reality to warrant the issuance of a declaratory judgment.' ... Bosch has met the Article III requirements to bring this declaratory judgment action," Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. said.

5 minute read

The Legal Intelligencer

Are USPTO Entity Status Changes Affecting Your Company?

By Allison R. Tramontana | February 3, 2023

Profits may change, and the number of employees may change, but what about the already-filed patent applications and existing patents? Change may need to occur in that arena as well.

10 minute read

Daily Business Review

Middle Market Mindset: New Considerations for IP Audits in 2023

By Geoffrey Lottenberg | January 31, 2023

CEOs and CFOs often focus on sales (projections or receivables) as their most bankable assets. What is most often overlooked, however, is the value of intellectual property (IP) assets to both short-term and long-term business goals.

6 minute read

The Recorder

Nixon Peabody Reps Artist's Estate in Copyright Dispute With Mormon Church, BYU

By ALM Staff | January 30, 2023

This suit was surfaced by Law.com Radar. Read the complaint here.

1 minute read

Law.com

Copycat? Court Trims Claims but Preserves Suit Accusing Wayfair of 'Freeriding' Williams-Sonoma's Goodwill

By Riley Brennan | January 30, 2023

Williams-Sonoma's lawsuit accusing Wayfair of copying its designs has been pared down, but a federal judge in Massachusetts said the case may continue on a single state law claim for unfair competition.

4 minute read

Daily Report Online

'A Huge Responsibility': Fish & Richardson Names Corrin Drakulich as Global Head of Litigation

By Alex Anteau | January 30, 2023

Drakulich has served as a first-chair trial lawyer who saw success in pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology patent litigation.

3 minute read

Law.com

Skilled in the Art With Scott Graham: I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together

By Scott Graham | January 27, 2023

My nine years on the IP bus got off to a bumpy start, but encouragement from all of you has made it an exhilarating journey.

4 minute read