Can an ad for a fake product, intended to promote a real service, function as a trademark for the real service? TTABlog comments on the rejection of a trademark application intended as a joke, plus as an added bonus, provides a photo of the author of the TTABlog.
Trademark Suits Against Gripe Sites.
Law.com article on trademark suits against ‘gripe sites.’
The Novy Ochevidets. Yes, The Novy Ochevidets.
An NPR story on NOVY OCHEVIDETS, or NEW EYEWITNESS, a new Russian magazine referred to as a dead-ringer for THE NEW YORKER.
Assuming Conde Naste (publisher of The New Yorker) were to protest, this case would be one for the books. The article states that there is no foreign language edition of The New
Rudolph and Rude Elf
A trademark tale for the holidays: After a protest from the Rudolph Company, the brewery behind RUDOLPH’S RESERVE Beer has re-named its product as RUDE ELF BEER. Thanks to Jay from Igor.
Hooters In Trade Dress Suit
Hooters has sued WingHouse, for infringing the trade dress of its ‘breastaurant” (not my term). Thanks to Bradford for the tip. For more on trade dress protection of restaurants, see Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., 505 US 763 (1992).
More On Perfect 10 v. Google
Chilling Effects identifies two previous DMCA notice letters sent by Perfect 10 to Google. Wendy Seltzer comments on this and other issues in the case.
Who Will Receive Reduced Trademark Filing Fees?
The hub-bub on the INTA Listserv is about pending fee increases at the PTO (the Patent Bar is upset that patent fee diversion to other branches of government will apparently continue – see here).
The per-class trademark filing fee will likely go to $375 however electronic filing will remain at $335. Interestingly, there will
He Who Must Not Be Named (in a Lawsuit)
Every so often you read about a guy who trademarks (or this case, ‘copyrights’) his own name so that people can’t refer to him. More here.
But What Does It Mean?
The Google linkometer indicates that 2000 websites have linked to this blog.
Attention All Firms Based in the Euro-Zone
If you’ve been holding off retaining U.S. counsel until now, the Euro has just hit a record high against the dollar. Our firm’s fees will seem more reasonable than ever to you.