IHT: “MGM seeks control of Wargames.com site name.” MGM is apparently planning a sequel to the film ‘Wargames.” The domain name registrant has put up a war games-related site since receiving the demand letter, which of itself will not be all that probative. This registrant also has been in the news in 2005 when he won the papal name domain name sweepstakes.

Defendant purports to own rights in ASPEN. Plaintiff (Victoria’s Secret) uses a skiing theme in its seasonal promotion, including references to the ASPEN ski resort. Defendant requests cessation. Plaintiff alleges that it is not using term as a trademark. Defendant threatens lawsuit but doesn’t sue. Plaintiff files action for declaration of non-infringement. Complaint here.

Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page is suing rapper Jay-Z and Rocwear and Roc-a-fella Records over use of a ‘diamond cutter’ hand gesture. Diamond Dallas Page v. Shawn Carter p/k/a/ Jay-Z, 2:05-cv-08475-DSF-JWJ (C.D. Cal 2006). Coverage here. Given that the complaint is not available on Pacer, we can’t evaluate some fairly novel elements here, such as the description of the mark, the manner in which defendants used the mark, and how one person using a hand gesture can be confused with another person using a hand gesture.
UPDATE: depictions of the hand gesture here.

The Weinstein Company (headed by the former heads of Miramax) have signed a deal that is characterized as allowing only Blockbuster to rent its movies. This discussion does a good job of explaining First-Sale Doctrine and why Blockbuster can’t prevent NetFlixfrom purchasing Weinstein DVDs and renting them. However, the DVDs will likely have Blockbuster’s name all over them. HT HackingNetFlix.