Intellectual Property Law

Neil Young sues to stop Trump campaign from using his songs; will consent decrees stand in the way?

Consent decrees designed to stop anti-competitive conduct by music licensing organizations could pose a problem for musician Neil Young, who is trying to stop President Donald Trump’s campaign from using his music.

Aug 13, 2020 9:52 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Trump sued over census policy excluding immigrants; judge swears in 37 new US citizens

Trump faces federal lawsuit over new policy of excluding immigrants from 2020 census The city of Atlanta, several nonprofit organizations and naturalized citizens sued President Donald Trump on Thursday over his plan to exclude undocumented immigrants in the 2020 census reporting used to calculate states’ seats in the U.S. House…

Jul 24, 2020 4:27 PM CDT

Generic word with ‘.com’ at end can be trademarked, SCOTUS rules

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 Tuesday that a generic word with “.com” at the end is eligible for trademark protection if consumers don’t perceive it as a generic name.

Jun 30, 2020 11:15 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Judge won’t block book by Trump’s niece; ex-BigLaw lawyer wants harassment lawsuit tossed

Judge tosses bid to block Mary Trump’s book A New York judge has ruled that he doesn’t have the authority to block publication of a book by Mary Trump, the niece of President Donald Trump. Judge Peter Kelly of the Surrogate’s Court in New York City said the bid to…

Jun 25, 2020 4:49 PM CDT

Former BigLaw partner agrees to suspension after insider trading conviction

A former partner at two large law firms has agreed to a three-year suspension after his conviction for insider trading.

Jun 19, 2020 12:20 PM CDT

Netflix obtains foreign trademark rights to ‘Space Force’ before US government

Netflix has secured some foreign trademark rights to the phrase “Space Force”—which is also the name of its new comedy series starring Steve Carell—ahead of the U.S. government.

Jun 9, 2020 5:07 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: New charges filed in George Floyd case; state chief justice decries court system bias

Officer faces increased charge in George Floyd case; others also charged Prosecutors have added an upgraded charge against the Minneapolis police officer accused of killing George Floyd by pressing his knee into his neck. Derek Chauvin was previously charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He now faces a charge…

Jun 3, 2020 3:41 PM CDT

Judge awards the zoo in Netflix’s ‘Tiger King’ to Joe Exotic’s rival

A federal judge in Oklahoma awarded Monday the zoo made famous in Netflix’s Tiger King to the Big Cat Rescue Corp., founded by Joe Exotic’s rival, Carole Baskin.

Jun 2, 2020 11:58 AM CDT

Firm will focus on high-end IP and commercial litigation after departures cut revenue

Irell & Manella is changing focus after a string of departures cut gross revenue by 39% over a five-year period.

May 19, 2020 12:11 PM CDT

Malpractice suit against Boies Schiller alleges overly aggressive litigation tactics

A malpractice lawsuit filed against Boies Schiller Flexner alleges that the law firm gave bad advice and used overly aggressive litigation tactics that cost its former clients extra money in intellectual property litigation.

May 18, 2020 1:22 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Sen. Ted Cruz supports salon owner released from jail; LegalMatch defeats TRO bid

Salon owner wins release after she is jailed for defying TRO A Dallas salon owner jailed for contempt after she ignored a temporary restraining owner to close her business was released Thursday, thanks to the Texas Supreme Court. Shelley Luther obtained emergency relief from the court where her petition for…

May 8, 2020 4:39 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Group wants bar passage standard delayed; Justice Ginsburg leaves hospital

Group asks for suspension of two-year bar passage standard for ABA-accredited law schools Citing the coronavirus pandemic, the Society of American Law Teachers has asked to suspend an ABA accreditation standard requiring law school bar passage rates be at least 75% within a two-year period. A letter with the request…

May 7, 2020 5:10 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Justice Thomas speaks in SCOTUS teleconference arguments; courts want rule ideas

Few glitches and 1 surprise in SCOTUS teleconference arguments U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas asked questions during the high court’s first teleconference arguments Monday, something he rarely does. The court followed a new format in which Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. asked the first question, then other justices…

May 4, 2020 3:39 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Employer COVID-19 tests OK, EEOC says; Pitbull trademarks signature shout

EEOC: Employers can test for COVID-19 without violating ADA Employers can require COVID-19 tests before allowing workers to enter the workplace, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The tests don’t violate the Americans With Disabilities Act if they are accurate and reliable, and they are job-related and consistent with…

Apr 27, 2020 4:10 PM CDT

In unusual lineup, SCOTUS rules annotations in Georgia state code can’t be copyrighted

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday that the annotations in Georgia’s official annotated code are not eligible for copyright protection.

Apr 27, 2020 10:47 AM CDT