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Home • 2016 08 16 crazy horse

Trademark Lessons From Crazy Horse Strip Clubs

Better known for juicy tales of mobsters, adult film stars, and general shenanigans, the now-closed Las Vegas strip club “Crazy Horse Too” plays a role in providing important lessons in trademark law. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently put to rest a dispute over the “Crazy Horse” trademark for

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Home • 2016 08 12 redkins trademark dispute join slants scotus

Will the Washington Redskins Trademark Dispute Join The Supremes Dance Party?

The trademark disparagement lawsuits continue. As some of our readers may already know, we’ve been tracking and writing about the Washington Redskins football team’s efforts to keep their federal trademark registrations for the REDSKINS name. We’ve also discussed and posted about the dance rock group called “The Slants” entering the

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Home • 2016 08

What Does Brexit Mean for European and UK Patents? (Part 2)

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries. It began after World War II, in large part because many Europeans felt that countries which trade and work closely with each other are less likely to go to war and attempt to invade their partner

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Home • 2016 08 05 converse podcast

Converse Case Proves Secondary Meaning Requirements Are Getting Tougher

A couple of months ago we spoke about copyright protection for clothing designs. Now it’s time to talk about shoes and trademarks. Converse, the maker of the ubiquitous Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers, filed lawsuits against thirty shoe manufacturers, importers, and retailers over the last two years alleging trademark infringement

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Home • 2016 08 03 defend trade secret podcast part2

The Defend Trade Secrets Act: New Federal Law, New Litigation Options

On May 11, 2016, President Obama enacted a new federal trade secret protection law known as the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA). The DTSA makes federal protection against the misappropriation of trade secrets available to private parties. Before the DTSA, private parties who sought to protect their trade

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Home • 2016 07 29 led zeppelin lawsuit continues

Led Zeppelin Lawsuit Rambles On

As we blogged back in April, the estate of Randy Craig Wolfe’s copyright lawsuit against Led Zeppelin went to trial in California. The verdict is in: a jury found that Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” does not infringe the copyright of Spirit’s “Taurus.” But the litigation is not over yet

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Music Copyright Issues

Music & Politics Don’t Mix – Or Do They?

It’s political convention time once again and that means more intellectual property drama! This political season has already given us trademark disputes involving cease and desist letters and living person name registrations. Now we have copyright issues – specifically, music copyright issues. Politicians and political parties often choose popular music as

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Home • 2016 07

Brexit Intellectual Property Issues (Part 1)

On June 23, 2016, in a referendum dubbed “Brexit” voters in the United Kingdom (UK) opted to leave the European Union (EU), sending economic and political shockwaves around the globe. Obviously, the actual Brexit process will not be taking place immediately. The UK must first formally notify the EU of

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