Things may be looking up for authors and comic book fans due to a provision of U.S. copyright law that is little known among the public at large. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering whether it will review the case of Lisa Kirby v. Marvel Characters. In the Kirby case, the children and heirs […]
Category: Kandis’ Posts
Washington Redskins, Football And The Constitution
Wow – the recent decision from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) cancelling several Washington Redskins trademarks has sent shockwaves through the Washington, DC area. With the team’s headquarters and training facilities located in Virginia, where they generate lots of revenue, residents—and the commonwealth itself—seem to be taking the news especially hard. Three members […]
Don’t Get Crushed: Your Guide to the Differences Between Trademarks and Copyrights
As noted in our recent post on the not-so-sweet dispute between the makers of games Candy Crush Saga and CandySwipe, the differences between copyright and trademark are widely misunderstood. Because these differences are super important to your brand’s value, your company’s marketing strategy, and your ability to communicate clearly with your IP lawyer, here are […]
3 Keys to Brand Protection: What Happened to Android?
A recent appeals court decision from the Seventh Circuit has ended a small company’s challenge to Google’s ANDROID trademark, underscoring the truth behind the adage oft-repeated by U.S. trademark lawyers: “Use it or lose it.” Don’t Use It, You WILL Lose It Our story begins when Google rolled out the beta version of its ANDROID […]
Drawing the Architectural Copyright Lines
Architectural Inspiration or Unlawful Imitation? In the United States and other countries adhering to the Berne Convention (including China), copyright laws protect certain buildings and building design plans as “architectural works.” But while architectural works are protectable, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish those aspects of the building design that are worthy of copyright protection from […]