Rainy day fun: put your client’s trademarks into this aggregated username search engine, to see if any usernames on the various social network sites incorporate those marks. HT to the Nipper.
GoDaddy Warehousing Domain Names?
TechCrunch: “GoDaddy Uses ‘Standard Tactics’ To Warehouse Domains“:
Warehousing and auctioning off expired domain names is not necessarily against ICANN (the governing body over domain name registration) regulations and actually quite a common practice among larger registrars, but the story only gets interesting when you take a look at what goes on behind the transparent part of it. When a valuable expired domain doesn’t sell through an auction on The Domain Name Aftermarket (aka TDNAM, GoDaddy’s auction platform), The Go Daddy Group changes the ownership of the domain to one of its lesser known subsidiaries, Standard Tactics LLC, using Domains By Proxy’s whois privacy service to hide its identity. Next thing you know, that company will start monetizing the domain names using parked domain pages filled with ads and list the domains for resale on TDNAM.
“Apple Wins Trademark Suit Against Chinese Company”
MacNN: Apple Wins Trademark Suit Against Chinese Company:
Apple this week has won a trademark infringement lawsuit against a Chinese electronics company. New Apple Concept Digital Technology Co. was ordered to pay 400,000 yuan (~$58,000 USD), completing a battle between the two companies that began in 2006 when the Shenzhen-based manufacturer was ordered to stop using its trademark, according to China Central Television. New Apple Concept had used a logo that featured an apple with the characteristic missing bite.
“Trademark Owner Has Standing To Sue Despite Non-Competing Goods”
Seattle Trademark Lawyer: “Trademark Owner Has Standing To Sue Desipte Non-Competing Goods“:
On Nov. 12, the Ninth Circuit handed down a reminder that a trademark registrant has standing to sue for infringement even when the parties’ goods do not compete.
In doing so, it vacated the Central District of California’s summary judgment dismissal of plaintiff’s trademark claims in Halicki Films, LLC v. Sanderson Sales and Marketing concerning trademark rights stemming from the motion picture Gone in 60 Seconds.
Tootsie Roll Sues T-shirt Vendor
In case you wanted to learn the history of the Tootsie Roll Company, this complaint is reproduced below. Bonus question: spot the trademark that plaintiff mis-uses as a generic. Hint: it’s something that babies wear.
Complaint Tootsie Roll
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eBay As A Legal Defense Fund
USe of eBay to help fund a lawsuit against Monster Cable (this listing will expire eventually – Monster Mini-Golf is selling ‘pieces’ of its litigation for $1, to help fund its defense against Monster Cable. More criticism of Monster Cable here.
Registrability of Chippendales Bow-Tie and Cuffs?
If Ron Coleman says that he worked his way through Law School as a Chippendales dancer, who am I doubt him. The story (and commentary) continues here.
Sir Hugh Laddie
Patry: In Memoriam Sir Hugh Laddie
5th Circuit: University Color Schemes Protectable
5th Circuit rules that universities may claim trademark in color combinations.
Commentary here.
Law.com article on lower court decision last August.
LSU Purple and Gold Shop here.
LSU v Smack
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IP Podcast
Friend of the blog Prof Eric Goldman appears in the new IP Colloquium podcast, “Privacy in a Networked World”:, hosted by Prof. Doug Lichtmann. The podcast will look at the ‘constraints the law places on the acquisition, storage and use of persona data, and the trade-offs in collecting such data. And don’t forget the CLE.