TechLawadvisor on CHRISMUKKAH..

Mythic Entertainment, maker of video games, is suing Microsoft over its use of MYTHICA.  Both companies use their marks for MMORPGs – massively multiplayer role playing games.  Coverage here.

The Wall Street Journal reports that in the U.S. as of the year 2000, 25 girls were named Infiniti, 269 were named Chanel, 298 were named Armani, 353 were named Lexus.  22 boys were named Cartier and 273 were named Armani (one of the androgynous names, like Chris).

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A German toy company, Greiner and Hausser, alleges that Mattel’s BARBIE doll is based on its BILD-LILLI doll (pictured.  More pictures, including one where it resembles a disheveled Marlene Dietrich, here).  The German company litigated and settled with Mattel 40 years ago, and has brought a new action claiming royalties on every Barbie sold over the past 40 years (which would be a Big Number).  The Ninth Circuit has issued a preliminary procedural ruling regarding personal jursidiction.  The decision is a must-read for those consumed by the history of Barbie.

Mattel v. Greiner and Hausser, No. 02-56272 (9th Cir Dec 22, 2003).

This discussion of how the Dot Pro registry has pushed back its go-live date illustrates that registries should perhaps not be allowed to collect fees for sunrise registrations before the registry goes live.

In a somewhat analogous situation, NSI collected (to the best of my knowledge) substantial fees for “internationalized” domain names in October of 2000.  It is my understanding that those domain names did not actually resolve until 2003.

IPKat on Eminem filing suit seeking to enjoin a previous recording of his of which he is ashamed.

Singer Michael Bolton sues Weil Gotshal, alleging conflict of itnerest in its reprentation of him and his music publisher’s insurer, in defending against a copyright infringement suit brought against him by the Isley Borthers concerning Bolton’s song, “Love Is A Wonderful Thing.”  Via NY Lawyer.

NY State Code of Professional Responsibility here.

Verizon does not have to identify computer users to the RIAA.  D.C. Circuit opinion here.