IP Review
IP Review is a monthly round-up of what's going on in the world of IP, reporting on news regarding trademarks, patents, copyright, design rights and other forms of intellectual property from publications the world over.
For more information on Intangible Business' expert witness, IP and business valuation services, call us on + 44 (0) 20 7089 9236 or send us an email. To register to receive the IP Review monthly update, click here.
News Archive30 August: Ansel Adams trademark dispute revelation
The estate of photographer Ansel Adams received a turnaround in its trademark infringement dispute against Rick Norsigian, who claimed he was in possession of authentic Ansel Adams negatives valued at over $200m. The expert who previously verified the negatives declared he made a mistake.
New York Times
27 August: Facebook attempts to trademark ‘Face’
Facebook is attempting to protect its brand by trademarking the word ‘Face’.
PC World
25 August: Facebook defends ‘Book’ trademark
Facebook is suing Teachbook, a US social network for teachers, as it claims the use of the suffix ‘book’ "rides on the coattails of the fame and enormous goodwill of the Facebook trademark" and risks diluting the distinctiveness of its Facebook trademark.
Guardian
23 August: BBC sues to defend Top Gear Stig brand
The BBC is suing publisher Harper Collins which is threatening to reveal the identity of Top Gear’s Stig – the motoring show’s star driver – which the BBC claims breaches contractual and confidentiality obligations.
BBC
20 August: Madonna accused of trademark infringement
Madonna is being accused of infringing the trademark rights of US manufacturer L.A. Triumph, by using the Material Girl name for her fashion collection.
Contact Music
17 August: Best Buy threatens priest for copyright infringement
US electronics giant, Best Buy, has forced Rev. Luke Strand to remove his ‘God Squad’ logo from his VW Beetle which Best Buy claimed infringed the copyright for its ‘Geek Squad’ logo.
Fox News
17 August: Is negative brand endorsement legal?
Snooki, the US reality star who has a less then favourable image and reputation, is being sent designer clothing and accessories by these brands’ competitors in an attempt to undermine these brands image and prevent Snooki from being seen and photographed wearing their own brand.
Observer
12 August: Aviva faces trademark dispute
Aviva is facing a potential trademark dispute from an IFA who owns the trademark Your Money Matters and claims Aviva’s use of it is infringing his rights.
Financial Times
11 August: Gervais sued over Flanimals copyright
Comedian Ricky Gervais is being sued by writer and artist John Savage who claims Gervais’ best selling book, Flanimals, infringes his copyright.
BBC
10 August: Sky & Skype. Confusing?
BSkyB is claiming Skype’s trademark is confusingly similar to its own and, as Sky now offers telecoms and internet services, they now operate in the same sector adding to the confusion.
Brand Republic
09 August: Did you think vitaminwater was healthy?
Coca-Cola is being sued by the Center for Science in the Public Interest over Coca-Cola’s claims its Vitaminwater has health benefits. Coca-Cola is defending the claim by suggesting "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage."
IPKat
09 August: New copycat protection bill
A new bill has been proposed by New York senator Charles E. Schumer to try and protect by copyright the designs of fashion designers, The Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act.
Vogue
06 August: Eagles settle copyright dispute
Don Henley, from the Eagles, has settled his dispute with US Republican Senatorial candidate Chuck DeVore, having claimed the politician infringed his copyright by creating parodies of songs written by Henley.
BBC
05 August: ASDA wins Specsavers trademark dispute
Mr Justice Mann has ruled that ASDA had no intention to copy or confuse consumers, in the trademark infringement case brought against it by Specsaver, but the supermarket must cease from using the line ‘Be a real Spec Saver at Asda’ in its marketing.
IPKat
04 August: advertising.com is generic
A US judge ruled that advertising.com is generic, thereby preventing AOL from blocking Advertise.com Inc from using it.
Reuters
02 August: NFL plays sue video game creator
A former NFL footballer is suing video game creator, Electronic Arts, on behalf of 6,000 retired NLF players, claiming their image rights were used in the game Madden NFL 09 without their permission.
cnet
.gif)
.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
