Not really trademark law but may be of interest to those in communications or those who drink water and eat fish.
I read an AP report reprinted in Forbes on the Japanese earthquake and came across the following:
“Tokyo Electric Power Co. also said about 400 barrels containing low-level radioactive waste at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant
MR TRADEMARK v MR TRADEMARK ABUSE
Connectu v. Facebook (Copyright, Trade Secret)
ConnectU alleges that the founder of Facebook worked for it when he when he was an undergraduate. It has sued, alleging copyright infringement, breach of contract, theft of trade secret and other causes. It had sued several years ago, and re-filed the complaint this past March. There has been some coverage of this lawsuit in
Medico Cigarette Holders
Chunky Monkey v Chunky Monkey
Current Trends: “Chunky Monkey Goes to Court . . . Again.”
Disney Re-Use
More examples here. Via the must read “You Thought We Wouldn’t Notice.”
Google Sued By Australian Watchdog Group
IHT: “Australian consumer watchdog files action against Google Inc.”
“Australia’s consumer watchdog has launched legal action against Google Inc. for allegedly misleading users by blurring the distinction between paid and unpaid search results in favor of one of its advertisers.”
Good and Bad Demand Letters To Fans
Dealing with potential infirngements by fans is tricky. In this discussion by EFF, this is identified as bad:
“On behalf of the artist’s label, we do appreciate that – of course – you are a fan of / are promoting The New Pornographers but, by the same token, you must also appreciate that,
Volokh: The First Amendment and Cockfight Videos
Volokh: “The First Amendment and Cockfight Videos”
Spamization Watch: WHAC-A-MOLE(r) In Iraq
WHAC-A-MOLE turns out to be a registered trademark for arcade games and various goods and services, owned by Bob’s Space Rangers.
Here is “Myth 3” from the White House’s ‘Iraq Fact Check“:
“The U.S. is playing “whack-a-mole” (sic) in Iraq.”