An article from the Journal News (my local paper) about Intel filing an opposition against a local psychic who filed an application for SPIRITINSIDE for spirtual advisory services. Intel filed on the basis of its INTEL INSIDE and INSIDE family of marks. Psychics aside, a trademark search of -INSIDE marks predict that Intel aggressively polices -INSIDE
Haiku vs. Spam
Copyrighted Haiku used to stop spammer. Story here via The Register.
More on EBAY and GOOGLE and Keywords
A ZDNet article about EBAY asking Google to remove various keyword terms incorporating the EBAY mark such as “eBay selling,” “eBay power seller” and “eBay management software.” Background here.
FOOD IS LOVE v. SHARE THE LOVE for Lobsters
From the Boston Herald:
Jasper White, owner of the popular Jasper White’s Summer Shack restaurants, who trademarked the phrase “Food is Love,” says rival Red Lobster executives ripped off his idea and turned it into their “Share the Love” campaign.
Red Lobster’s roll-out of its campaign here. Summer Shack menu here. Lyrics
TOYS R US v. TOYS AREN'T US
Interesting UK trademark opposition reported by IPKat. The National Canine Defense League filed for TOYS AREN’T US and Design in connection with its fundraising activities. Geoffrey Inc., owner of the TOYS “R” US trademark, opposed. Its successful argument appears to have been that:
” . . . TOYS “R” US mark would become associated in the
Surprised It Didn't Happen Sooner
Had to happen eventually. The Intellect Law Group has started the Copyright Blog and the Patent Blog.
EBAY, GOOGLE, Paid Search and Nominative Fair Use
Because I’m writing an article on the application of trademark law to paid search, in connection with which I have looked at the trademark and relevancy policies of the search engine’s paid search programs (such as that of Google’s, here and here), this article from auctionbytes.com (via NameProtect) caught my eye EBay has apparently
Free Searching of the Madrid Trademark Database
The free SchwimmerLegal international metasearch (registration required) allows for searching of the Madrid trademark database alone or as a part of the whole metasearch.
Absolut vs. Relative Tarnishment
IPKat takes Absolut to task for its cooperation with ‘Sex in the City’s fictional ABSOLUT HUNK plot line (see left). IPKat notes:
“By associating its ABSOLUT mark and campaign with overt sexual imagery, Absolut has arguably tarnished its own mark, in which case its taking moral high ground in opposing third parties from registering such domain
What Is This Madrid Trademark Thing Anyway?
Here’s a place to start. WIPO’s booklet: 20 Questions About the Madrid Protocol. For those of you who have fewer than 20 questions – the Madrid Protocol is an international treaty under which owners of a national trademark application or registration in its home country can ‘deposit’ that application or registration with WIPO in order