Shanghai Police Apprehend Lego Infringers
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Mar 23, 2023 in Intellectual Property
In many copyright infringement cases, there is a bit of gray area. Perhaps the accused did not realize they were infringing on another’s intellectual property. Or they believed that their usage was allowed due to parody or educational purposes. This is not what happened a few months back in Shanghai. Since August 2022, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau’s Economic Investigation Team has been investigating toys sold through an online store – toys they suspected were […]
Continue ReadingSomething Tells Me It’s All Happening at the Zoo… Private Institutions and Public Funding
Edward L. Birk Mar 21, 2023 in Media Law
When you mix private institutions and public funding, the question often arises: At what point does a private company become subject to public records law? We’ve asked this question before. Now we see another example playing out in Ohio. A construction company filed a public records lawsuit against the Columbus Zoo. The two entities recently settled the dispute out of court. The construction company had requested records after its no-bid contract with the zoo came […]
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Goth IHOP Cosplay Creator Receives Cease and Desist Over Trademark Name Use
Marks Gray Mar 16, 2023 in Trademark
A black apron featuring bloody vampire fangs and the words Goth IHOP. Does this seem like a trademark violation to you? IHOP certainly thought so when they sent OnlyFans model Candylion what she calls a “copyright strike,” which told her to stop using their trademark name. But was this the right move on IHOP’s part? Protecting Your Trademark Vs. Appearing Stodgy and Ridiculous Obviously, IHOP has every right to protect their trademark name. The company […]
Continue ReadingNews Station Sues to Expose Local Agency Public Records Neglect in New Orleans
Edward L. Birk Mar 16, 2023 in Media Law
Sometimes news organizations are digging for public records to aid in a larger exposé that can affect people’s lives in a very material way – like compensation for medical or repair expenses. In New Orleans, the news station Fox 8 has filed suit against the city Sewerage & Water Board for public records neglect over records pertaining to personal injury and property damage settlements and judgments. The judgments and settlements have been reached for accidents […]
Continue ReadingSurrogacy Awareness Month
Courtney Johnson Mar 15, 2023 in Surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technologies
March is Surrogacy Awareness Month in the United States, and for me, it’s a time to reflect on the incredible journey that led to my son’s arrival. Every day, I’m reminded of the love and selflessness of our amazing gestational surrogate, who carried and delivered him into this world. Thanks to her, my dream of becoming a parent became a reality. As I look around, I see more and more families like mine who have […]
Continue ReadingColleges and universities that receive public funds are subject to open records law. Are there any limits? At Oklahoma University, NonDoc Media and their editor-in-chief, Tres Savage, have been engaged in a struggle with OU’s petition for a protective order. The goal of the protective order: To keep certain documents from an investigation unpublished – and out of the public eye. The investigation deals with sexual harassment allegations from 2019 against a former OU coach […]
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