Sean Combs (also known as P. Diddy or just plain Diddy) is on a roll. His record with Usher entitled DIRTY MONEY was a hit and was nominated for a 2011 MTV Europe Music Award: “Best World Stage.” In connection therewith, P. Diddy sought to register the mark DIDDY-DIRTY MONEY for many categories ranging from… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: Tiffany Blofield
Dueling Beauty Queens
Posted in TrademarksOver the weekend I was shopping for a full-length gown to wear to a charity event in August. I found a beautiful green Badgley Mischka gown. It was even on sale, much to my delight. So I may have been feeling like a beauty pageant contestant when I chose my blog post topic for today. … Continue Reading
YSL Has a Friend in Its Battle with Christian Louboutin
Posted in Law SuitsWe have previously blogged about the battle over Christian Louboutin’s (“Louboutin’s”) trademark registration for lacquered red soled shoes that is taking place in New York and is now before the Second Circuit. Friends of the Court (the Latin meaning of the phrase amici curiae) that have weighed in on Louboutin’s side include both Tiffany & Co…. Continue Reading
Obama Campaign Sues to Protect Trademarks
Posted in Law SuitsPresident Obama campaigned hard to win his presidency. Only a trademark attorney would ignore his excellent oratory skills and attribute his success to his campaign trademarks. However, even pundits attribute some of President Obama’s success to his use of social networking and marketing prowess. In connection with his campaign, President Obama for America (“OFA”) registered several trademarks… Continue Reading
The “Situation” is Creating a Situation
Posted in Law Suits, TrademarksI recently blogged about Trademarks held by and registered to the Kardashians. Another popular reality show is “Jersey Shore” that follows the lives of eight twenty-something roommates initially at the Jersey Shore (hence the name of the show), but also living in Miami and Italy during seasons 2 and 4. They are known for their partying,… Continue Reading
Social Media Giant Sued for Trademark Infringement (Again)
Posted in Infringement, TrademarksSeveral months ago, I remarked that the social networking industry is a fertile ground for trademark battles. See “Two Degrees Of Separation From Justin Timberlake.” In my prior post, I discussed the fact that Facebook, Inc. (“Facebook”) had sued Teachbook.com LLC alleging various claims including federal trademark infringement, dilution, false designation of origin and others. Last month, the… Continue Reading
Kardashian/Jenner Trademarks
Posted in TrademarksAs our Minnesota-born Kris Humphries has now married into the Kardashian Klan, I thought I would check out what trademarks his in-laws have registered. Mother-in-law Kris Jenner (formerly Kardashian) has built an empire for her family. She manages the careers of her daughters through the company Jenner Communications that is very active in branding. Attorney Jennifer K Craft… Continue Reading
Two Degrees Separation from Justin Timberlake
Posted in Law SuitsJustin Timberlake was featured in recent movies about Facebook (i.e., Oscar nominated The Social Network) and a movie about teachers who may use Teachbook (i.e., Bad Teacher with former girlfriend Cameron Diaz). Ironically, he is therefore somewhat connected to both parties in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Illinois (closer than the six degrees… Continue Reading
English Company Loses to Magic Kingdom
Posted in Infringement, Law Suits, TrademarksEnglish Company THOIP asserted its rights to a family of unregistered trademarks in a children’s book series involving cartoon characters called “Mr. Men” and “Little Miss” by suing the king of the cartoon characters—Walt Disney Company (and related companies). The products at the center of the dispute are t-shirts. You may have seen Britney Spears… Continue Reading
The Designer of Everyone’s Favorite Red Heeled Shoes Sues to Protect His Empire
Posted in Famous Marks, Law Suits, TrademarksFrench designer Christian Louboutin is one of the most exciting high fashion shoe designers in the world. Initially, he developed his now famous trademarked Red Sole Mark shoes. by merely using red nail polish on the bottom of a shoe nineteen years ago. In August 2006, he registered the mark described as “The color(s) red is/are claimed… Continue Reading
Smartphone Mania Has Resulted in IP Activity
Posted in Branding, Law Suits, TrademarksThe smartphone market is very litigious. Taiwanese company HTC Corporation (“HTC”) filed a declaratory judgment action against Samsung in Washington last week. The lawsuit came on the heels of receiving a cease and desist letter from Samsung regarding HTC’s “Inspire” line 4G android cell phones. In its lawsuit, HTC seeks a judgment that it can use the “Inspire”… Continue Reading
Do Not Wear a White Cowboy Hat, Boots & Underwear
Posted in Branding, Famous Marks, Law SuitsMany visitors traveling to Times Square since 2002 have caught a glimpse of the Naked Cowboy®, a/k/a Robert Burck. He sings and officiates weddings (charging $499 and up). He even ran for the Mayor of New York at one point (although he ended up withdrawing from the race). For those of you who have not travelled… Continue Reading
The Value of Intellectual Property Survives Death
Posted in Branding, Copyrights, Law Suits, TrademarksThe “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, is earning big money even after his death. To protect this income and value of his brand, a week ago, Michael Jackson’s estate brought suit in California against his mother’s business partner, alleging infringement of the valuable rights to Michael Jackson’s likeness, image, copyrights, trademarks (See Dan Kelly’s post on… Continue Reading
eBay is Embroiled in More Intellectual Property Disputes
Posted in Infringement, Law Suits, TrademarksMany people will access eBay this month to purchase that special gift for the holidays. In doing so, there are many products listed on eBay that are associated with valuable trademarks. In a previous blog post, “New York Provides No Assistance to ‘The Little Blue Box’ Company,” we informed you that a district court had found that… Continue Reading
Perfumers Need Trademarks
Posted in Famous Marks, TrademarksAs I was reading US magazine last weekend, I saw that Jennifer Aniston (my favorite “Friend”) launched her first perfume last month. She describes it as a combination of the ocean, sea air, blooming jasmine and tropical oils. I might have to try it. Our guest blogger Mark Prus recently discussed the perfume in his… Continue Reading
Rocker and Reality Star Settles Suit Regarding Trademark
Posted in TrademarksBand names are big merchandising business, including t-shirts, hats, posters and other paraphernalia. When checking the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) website for other band trademarks, I was not surprised that the lead singer and savvy businessperson Jon Bon Jovi (a.k.a. John Bongiovi) owns the Bon Jovi® trademark himself. Eighties band REO Speedwagon set… Continue Reading
Duets Blog Authors
Steve Baird
Just so you know, I'm all about brands and the law, both professionally and personally. I regularly annoy family and friends in retail stores by focusing on product labels—not to buy the product, but to read the fine print and ask, "Who owns these brands" and "Did they really register those marks?" More...
Brent Lorentz
Although I wish I could say my path to the law was the result of a lifelong dream or calling, it was more the result mere curiosity and an affinity for leather-bound books. More...
Tiffany Blofield
Although my initial career path was to be one of the Supremes (not the musically talented ones with platform shoes and sequins, but rather, the nine wearing sensible shoes and pressed black robes in DC), I will likely stay in Minnesota as I have never lived anywhere else. More...
Brad Walz
My law career started on the ice…as a defensive hockey player (we’re not talking professionally…and if I were, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into law). More...
Derek Allen
In hindsight, writing about creativity and the law may have always been in the cards for me. I began training for a career in litigation at an early age by finding ways to disagree with pretty much anyone about pretty much anything. In my longest-running “case,” I argued with my middle school math teacher, Mrs. Jabs, for the better part of four years over whether, even if I got the right answer, I had to show my work to get full credit. More...
Martha Engel
Although my interest in gadgetry and my aptitude for math eventually led me to become an engineer, my ad executive father and artistically gifted mother fostered an appreciation for the creative from a young age. More...
Anjali Shankar
When I was in elementary and middle school, I loved writing short stories. Creativity and imagination seem to come naturally to people when they are young. More...
Timothy Sitzmann
I have always considered myself to be a creative person. Full disclosure: I'm not claiming that I've created anything good, merely that I have created things that exist.More...
Cathleen Dahl
Trademarks and I met through a small job advertisement in the back of a local newspaper, and little did I know that I would spend the next 18 years (and counting) deriving a living from their existence and importance. More...