Sunrise period opens for .kids.us.

The Sixth Circuit has denied Tiger Woods’ appeal of a decision dismissing his trademark and right of publicity claims against an artist who had included Woods’ image in a lithograph entitled “Masters of Augusta” (above).  In pertinent part:

” . . .we find that Rush’s work does contain significant transformative elements which make it especially worthy

…

Viacom lost its appeal of the SPIKE TV case before the Appellate Division of NY State Supreme Court yesterday.  Viacom alleges that it has wasted $17 million in promotional expenses as a result of the injunction.  Two reactions: first, I wouldn’t be thinking about Spike TV at all if it weren’t for this case.  Second…

Via The Age, a New Zealand ‘porn king’ who offers an adult magazine named NZX, is threatening to sue the New Zealand Stock Exchange, which has re-branded itself as NZX. 

This would have been an interesting case.  Weight Watchers had sued a UK Supermarket for publishing ” Weight Watchers points” on its packaging – indicating to dieters how many ‘points’ that particular meal would use dieter’s allotment of points.  But the case  is reported to have been settled.

Weight Watchers success story, Fergie, depicted right.

Via AME Info, RED BULL energy drink wins trademark infringement case against BULLFIGHTER energy drink in the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S.-Cuba Trademark Protection Act of 2003 has been introduced.  The Act will seek to help U.S. trademark owners obtain protection for their marks in Cuba by starting consultations between to the two governments.

AP Photo of Castro obtained here.

A Third Circuit decison interpreting the advertising injury provision of a commercial general liability insurance policy, holding that the insurer is obligated to pay for the insured’s defense against trademark infringment involving misuse of a domain name.  A plainitff had alleged that the insured had infringed its trademark in MAGAZINES.COM by utilizing MAGAZINE.COM to send traffic…