‘K Street’ is an HBO drama in which political consultants (and real-life husband and wife) James Carville and Mary Matalin play ‘slightly fictionalized’ versions of themselves. The show trades on verisimilitude – Carville and Matalin interact with real politicians (playing themselves) and refer to real events that occured only weeks before air-date. In the most
If you clear copyrighted materials for a living then you may wish to read this Ninth Circuit case that applies the fair use test to various bits and pieces relating to Elvis (such as his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show) that were used in a documentary. Interesting dissent.
The band ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (I have their 1992 CD with “Tennessee” on it), has sued Fox TV, producer of the situation comedy ARRESTED DEVLOPMENT for trademark infringement.
The band’s founder issued a statement that “Fox has no more right to use ‘Arrested Development’ for its show than a band would have to name itself after one
Trademarks often start life as the surnames for talented individuals, but to become perennial luxury trademarks, such as TIFFANY, CHANEL, CARTIER, or VUITTON, the trademark owner must find a succession of talented individuals to maintain the quality that customers come to expect. This week Gucci was affected by the news that star designer Tom Ford
The NY Times (free registration required) today reported on a surge in forged counterfeit coupons The surge is attributable in part to the distribution of coupons over the Internet. As a result, retailers are declining to honor coupons that appear to have been created on copiers or printers. Consumer marketing consultant and syndicated columnist Martin Sloane cautions
After a hiatus, UDRPLAW.NET is back in action, with the account of a successful defense of a UDRP brought against the registrant of BRITISHMEAT.ORG.
Via the Columbia Journalism Review, an online guide of who owns what media in America.
Problem regarding crocodile logos between La Chemise Lacoste of France, Crocodile Garments of Hong Kong and Crocodile International of Singapore, via China Daily. Background (and depiction of re-designed croc logo from Crocodile Garments) via CNN here.
Beastie Boys’ sampling of “common, trite, generic three-note sequence” from plaintiff’s copyrighted composition held to be de minimis and not actionable. Newton v. Diamond, et. al., No. 02-55983 (9th Circuit, Nov. 4, 2003).
The Supreme Court has denied Consumer Union’s petition for cert. to hear its appeal of a decision allowing Suzuki Motors’ lawsuit regarding Consumer Union’s magazine article reporting that the Suzuki Samurai was dangerous. Via Boston Globe. Background here. Washington Post discussion here.