WWE Gives Up RYBACK Trademark to Wrestler Who “Owns” Persona
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jan 26, 2023 in Trademark
If your employer registers a trademark for your stage name, how does that impact you and your future endeavors? And if you leave that employer, should they let that trademark go with you? In an unexpected example of this scenario, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) recently relinquished its trademark registration for the word mark RYBACK to former WWE wrestler Ryback Reeves, who coined the name Ryback – and who now intends to keep using it […]
Continue ReadingThree Broadcast Groups Deny Copyright Infringement in Unlicensed Radio Play
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jan 19, 2023 in Copyrights
When you hear a song on the radio, what sorts of intellectual property law does that evoke? And if a radio station plays a song without obtaining the proper permission, what kind of trouble can that spell for the station? We are currently seeing this play out in a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by Global Music Rights against three different U.S. radio broadcast groups. Allowed Use or Copyright Infringement: How Radio Licensing Works Radio play […]
Continue ReadingSmucker’s Claims Trademark Infringement of the Crustless Sandwich – But Gallant Tiger Bites Back
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jan 12, 2023 in Intellectual Property
If you have been a reader of my blog for a while, you have learned that businesses can register a trademark for a distinctive shape of product or packaging. And they can defend that registration by claiming trademark infringement if it seems likely that consumers will confuse one brand for another brand. But are similar shape and type of product enough to verify that consumers will be confused? Smucker’s is riding a current lawsuit against […]
Continue ReadingNew Year Tips for Business Owners
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jan 5, 2023 in Business' Intellectual Property
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2023! I consulted with Mitch Ghaneie, our patent attorney, and Logan McEwen, our trusty and brilliant associate Intellectual Property attorney, to put together our handiest list of intellectual property suggestions for business owners as we start a new year. These recommendations are based on our experiences with clients and potential clients, plus the challenges we face as IP attorneys. Protect All Intellectual Property (IP) Assets Make sure your company […]
Continue ReadingBanksy Defends His Art Against Guess Copyright Infringement
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Dec 16, 2022 in Copyrights
If an artist’s message revolves around anti-commercialist values, is it hypocritical for them to employ copyright law to protect their own work? A swirl of questions like this surrounds a recent copyright infringement case involving Banksy and Guess. The mysterious, anonymous artist has been fighting the fashion giant to stop using his work on their clothing without his permission. Not Copyright Infringement: Guess Claims They Had “Legal Rights” to Use Banksy’s Work The fashion retailer […]
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