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.
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News Archive27 January: McDonald’s challenges McFest
McDonald’s is challenging Chicago teenager Lauren McClusky’s application to trademark McFest, the name of the charity fundraising concert she organises for the Special Olympics.
Chicago Sun
26 January: Lego set to lose EU-wide trademark
The advocate general for the European Court of Justice today supported the decision that the shape of Lego’s products cannot be protected and registered as a trademark, as it is in the interests of the public to keep functional shapes freely available for use.
The Times
24 January: Apple continues its iPad trademark plan
Apple is trying hard to secure international trademark rights to the iPad trademark it is expected to apply on its latest Mac tablet. In the US, however, it has to deal with current owner Fujitsu.
PC World
21 January: Audi wins EU Court backing for slogan
Audi has been awarded the backing of the EU to extend its trademarked slogan Vorsprung durch Technik into other categories beyond motor vehicles, such as toys and clothes. Click to view the judgement.
Guardian
20 January: Cheshire Cat not awarded PGI status
Disney has succeeded in overturning a previous ruling from the Swiss courts over the use of ‘Cheshire Cat’ on products, on the grounds that Cheshire and Cheshire Cat were largely unknown to Swiss people.
Marques
19 January: Diageo wins Vodkat/Vodka dispute
Diageo has won its case against InterContinental Brands (ICB) with Mr Justice Arnold ruling that “’vodka’ does have a reputation giving rise to a protectable goodwill” which ICB’s Vodkat brand was infringing. Read the judgement here.
The Times
19 January: Samsung settles Rambus patent dispute
Samsung resolved its patent dispute with Rambus by agreeing to pay Rambus $200m plus $25m a quarter for the next five years for use of Rambus’ patents. Samsung will also invest $200m in Rambus stock.
Wall Street Journal
18 January: Apple counters Nokia’s patent claim
Apple has hit back at Nokia’s patent infringement accusations at Apple with its own patent infringement complaint. Apple is trying to block Nokia phones from entering the US claiming the Finnish firm is infringing 13 of its patents.
BBC
17 January: Jay-Z loses trademark battle
Hip-hop star Jay-Z has lost his long-running trademark battle against Hell’s Kitchen winner Terry Miller, claiming the name of the restaurant ‘Rockafella’ would lead to confusion with his ‘Roc-A-Fella Records’ music empire.
Start Magazine
15 January: Kodak sues Apple and RIM
Kodak is suing Apple and Research in Motion (RIM) over allegations the iPhone and BlackBerry use Kodak’s technology.
BBC
14 January: Coldplay hit by copyright infringement action
Pop group Coldplay have been accused by unknown songwriter Sammie Lee Smith of infringing his copyright. Smith alleges that Coldplay stole tracks from him including ‘Yellow’, ‘Clocks’ and ‘Trouble’.
Aceshowbiz
12 January: Google files new Street View advertising patent
Google has filed a new patent which enables advertisers to place real-time ads on old images in Google’s Street View, such as on the side of a theatre or on a billboard.
Telegraph
10 January: Trademarks in company names
The UK Intellectual Property Office has issued its first decisions on 75 cases of company names which are identical or similar to other companies and potentially infringe their trademark rights.
IPO
10 January: Google’s ‘Nexus One’ in trademark feud
The daughter of Philip K. Dick, the sci-fi writer whose book inspired the film Blade Runner, claims Google’s use of the term ‘Nexus One’ infringes her intellectual property rights as a character from the book is an android called Nexus-6 – Google’s operating system is also called Android.
International Business Times
08 January: JacketGate
The White House has written to garment maker Weatherproof, requesting it remove an ad featuring an image of President Obama in a photograph it legally has the rights to.
Wall Street Journal
07 January: Apple buys i-phone trademark in China
Apple has bought the i-phone trademark in China from its previous Chinese owners, Beijing company Hanwang Technology, for an undisclosed sum, allegedly for several million dollars.
China Daily
04 January: Sherlock Holmes copyright holder threatens to withdraw permission
Andrea Plunkett, owner of the Sherlock Holmes US copyright, has threatened to withdraw permission for a film sequel if the protagonists become gayer.
Pink News
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