Trademark Law and the Brilliance of “Dumb Starbucks”
A typical comedian would not devote an episode of his TV show to issues of trademark law, but Nathan Fielder is not a typical comedian. Most people in the U.S.…
Truth and TriFlex: The Fourth Circuit’s Ruling Regarding “Literally False” Advertising Claims
This blog post discusses the Fourth Circuit’s ruling regarding “literally false” advertising claims. The case is In re GNC Corp., 789 F.3d 505 (2015). I. Factual Background GNC, a national…
Video Game Content and the Law
On July 6, 2016, the American population was swept in a wave of nostalgia that redefined the gaming market. Across American cities, strangers came together to play Pokémon Go, the…
Trademarks – Is There a Monopoly on Color in the Fashion Industry?
Walking around New York City, it’s not too difficult to recognize designer heels due to their unique designs. In particular, Christian Louboutin’s red soles have become a brand on its…
Supreme Court to Review the Ban on Registering Disparaging Trademarks
Under Section 2 the Lanham Act of 1946, the United States Patent and Trademark Office can deny trademark registration to any mark that “consists of or comprises immoral, deceptive, or…
The Potential Implications of the Instagram Regram
Instagram has become one of the most widely used social networking applications today. Its interface is based entirely off of user-generated content by allowing its users to share photos, videos,…
A Comparative Study on Product-Packaging Trademark Law: Current Judicial Attitudes in Taiwan and the United States
Introduction: The Kose Case in Taiwan On November 6, 2014, the Intellectual Property Court of Taiwan, which was erected on August 1, 2008 after Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization…
Trademarking “The Blue”
A football fan sits down on the couch late on a Saturday night and turns on ESPN to watch the day’s college football highlights. The program is what one would…
Comedian John Oliver Rides ‘Drumpf’ Wave to the USPTO
Donald Trump isn’t the only one filing trademarks in the hopes of capturing this election cycle’s headlines. Comedian and “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver recently amassed a great deal…
Make America Great Again™ (but only for Trump)
Primaries are not the only thing Donald Trump has been winning as of late, and we have the United States Patent and Trademark Office to thank for that. On November…