This from the ‘about’ page of LEGOWORKSHOP.COM:

Welcome to legoworkshop! My name is Gavin. My brother Grayson (age11) and I (age 15) and are running this website for the fun of being able to show the world our creations. I attend Middle College for high school. Middle College is a program where you can enroll in a state college to attend high school. Less than 40 kids are accepted each year at each college with hundreds being turned away. We have to do a project that we start on in 10th grade and work on through 12th grade that is part of our graduation requirements. My brother Grayson, who is in 5th grade, is doing this site with me. I am not affiliated with LEGO in any way nor is this site. My brother and I simply love their products and want to feature the things we’ve built and show how to build some of the things that we’ve built.

I just found out that LEGO Group, the company that my brother and I love, is trying to take this site away from us. So by saving it I Have had to rush and get pictures of the model so I had built so far and get the website running. Please contact Sandra Looft who represents LEGO Group at sandra.looft@melbourneitdbs.com and ask them to stop bullying two kids who are merely trying to promote their product. It is clear that our site is not owned or supported by LEGO Group which by my understanding means we are not infringing on their trademark.

Lego filed a UDRP.  There seems to be a dispute whether the site ever ran ‘sponsored links’ however the panel found that there was no commercial use at the time it rendered its decision, and rejected the complaint.

Let me just channel the voice of an old cranky person first: the reason why the fact that Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is a wealthy person is a bad thing, is that it sends the message to young people that you don’t actually have to work hard at math or science or some other useful field, to be successful.  You merely have to be fabulous.

OK, I got that out of my system.  So back in August, Abercrombie & Fitch, as part of an (alleged) publicity stunt, announced that it would pay The Situation to NOT wear its clothes.  It also offered shirts such as that above, referring to “The Fitchuation.”

The Situation is now suing, alleging false endorsement (and alleging that Abercrombie never actually contacted him regarding its ‘offer.’  This has the makings of a pretty interesting fact pattern.  A defendant has a free speech right to comment on the plaintiff and a right to parody plaintiff.  Also, there also is an explicit statement by  defendant that it doesn’t want plaintiff to endorse it.  However, there is an interesting ‘meta’ aspect to this in that in view of the novelty of the public statement, and in view of the “Fitchuation” merchandise, that a certain segment of the public might believe the exact opposite: namely that The Situation is in on the joke.

Complaint Situation(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(“script”); scribd.type = “text/javascript”; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = “http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();

In-n-Out sues restaurant re use of allegedly infringing boomerang sign.

 Complaint in n Out Boomerang(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(“script”); scribd.type = “text/javascript”; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = “http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();

Skull Candy, owner of registrations in skull logo for audio accessories and other merchandise, sues Skel Animals and Jazwares for use of a skull logo for audio accessories and other merchandise.

 Complaint Skull Candy(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(“script”); scribd.type = “text/javascript”; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = “http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();

 

One of 13 trademark suits Boost Mobile filed in the N.D. Ohio yesterday.

 Complaint Boost Ohio(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(“script”); scribd.type = “text/javascript”; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = “http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();

Varisty Brands, which provides VARSITY TV, sues MSG Networks, provider of MSG VARSITY NETWORK.

 Complaint Varsity Msg(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(“script”); scribd.type = “text/javascript”; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = “http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();