What We’re Talking About
Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Key Measures Against Potential Infringements
For innovators, entrepreneurs, or business operators, a significant portion of your efforts is likely devoted to crafting unique products and services. However, with innovation comes potential intellectual property (IP) infringement. As per the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, more than 85% of novice inventors have encountered unauthorized duplication of their inventions. As such, it's crucial to safeguard your invention to avoid potential legal complexities and retain control over its use and profit generation. In this article, we'll explore necessary actions when encountering infringement on your IP rights— offering you peace of mind that your hard work is protected!
Temu vs Shein: The Catfight Shaking Up the World of Ultra-Fast Fashion
Chinese e-commerce rivals, Temu and Shein, are involved in a full-blown legal catfight over fast-fashion retail space in the US. Last week, the newcomer Temu (known for its relentless social ads) slapped Shein (your Gen-Z sibling's favorite shopping app) with an antitrust lawsuit. Let's grab some popcorn, shall we?
Understanding the Cost of Patent Litigation
One frequently asked question about patent infringement revolves around the often prohibitive cost of patent litigation. The financial toll for those embroiled in such disputes can be astonishing, often escalating into the millions of dollars. This stems from the intricate issues at play, the necessity of engaging numerous specialists, and the multitude of proceedings like Inter Partes Review. These elements combined can generate formidable legal expenses for those navigating patent litigation proceedings.
Patent Law: Understanding the Importance of Obviousness
Every inventor's dream is to create something no one has ever seen. But to legally protect your invention, it's essential to ensure that it passes the test of obviousness. So, what exactly is obviousness in the context of patents, and why is it so crucial for aspiring innovators?
Guarding Your Brand's Identity: Trademark Protection 101
Trademark protection is a powerful device that differentiates your products in the market and provides an exclusive right to use them. Trademark protection is based on a “strength” classification system. We'll discuss why a strong trademark is crucial for businesses, explaining how evaluating its strength can help ensure product recognition from competitors – giving you peace of mind now and long-term protection into the future.
Twitter’s Troublesome Transition: Lessons in Intellectual Property
In the ever-evolving world of technology and branding, there's always something happening that's worth our attention. This time, it's Twitter's dramatic departure from its well-known blue bird logo to a simple "X". What's more, it has also altered its site address to "X.com", effectively retiring the well-established terms such as "tweets" and "retweets". However, this fresh take on branding seems to have hit a bump already.
The Unforgettable Voice: Remembering Tony Bennett and His Indelible Mark on The World
At Ed White Law, we believe in celebrating those whose intellectual pursuits have profoundly touched the world. Today, we mourn the loss of a legendary artist, an iconic figure, an ambassador of the world of music - Tony Bennett. An artist of his caliber not only left an indelible mark in the music industry but also changed the world in a unique, remarkable way.
‘Taco Tuesday' Trademark War Ends in Truce
In an unexpected turn of events, the well-known Wyoming-based taco chain, Taco John’s, announced on Tuesday their decision to abandon their trademark registration for the much-debated phrase, 'Taco Tuesday'. This decision comes two months after the initiation of legal proceedings and a vigorous advertising campaign by Taco Bell to "free Taco Tuesday".
Shein Accused of Criminal Activity in Bombshell RICO Lawsuit
A lawsuit filed on Tuesday claims that Shein, the viral Chinese fast-fashion giant, violates the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, better known as RICO. This lawsuit is a notable intensification from the numerous lawsuits the company has dealt with for trademark infringement lodged by various brands and artists over recent years.
Grand Slam of Trademarks: Serving an Ace with Wimbledon's Intellectual Property
Welcome to the world of Wimbledon, where the thrill of the game meets the drama of high stakes intellectual property (IP) rights. It's a veritable 'center court' of trademarks and copyrights that not only safeguards the grandeur of this legendary tournament but also ensures it remains as distinct as a perfectly executed backhand slice.
Trader Joe’s Woes: Grocer Wages War on its Workers' Union
Trader Joe's, a renowned grocery store chain, has recently threatened legal action against its workers' newly formed union, Trader Joe's United. The company alleges trademark infringement tied to merchandise being sold through the union's online store. Hailing from California, the supermarket giant delivered a letter to the union president and store worker, Jamie Edwards. Dated June 27, this correspondence targeted the sale of merchandise. The company asserts that the union's merchandise infringes upon its trademarks, design, and 'trade dress'— a legal term denoting a product's overall aesthetic. The threat of an injunction and monetary damages, including any profits from the sale of said items, looms over the union if it continues to sell the merchandise.
Judge Declares Thumbs-Up Emoji as Legally Binding Signature
What started as a run-of-the-mill contract dispute in rural Canada has yielded a unique legal precedent for the internet age: An emoji constitutes a legally binding contract. In a June 8 opinion that was itself peppered with little yellow “thumbs-up” emoji, Saskatchewan judge T.J. Keene ruled that a farmer’s emoji response to a contract sent by a grain cooperative did qualify as agreement on the contract terms. He ordered the farmer to pay 82,200 Canadian dollars ($61,000) in damages.
Legally Blonde, Pink & Powerful: Inside Barbie's Journey to Intellectual Property Prowess
Brace yourself, as the iconic Barbie doll has taken the world by storm. From captivating Primark collections to setting TikTok trends ablaze, Barbie has been dominating the cultural landscape, as her most remarkable transformation is about to unfold on the silver screen. This journey of reinvention rivals the most legendary of legends, proving that Barbie is a true master of brand evolution. Get ready to be wowed as we uncover the secrets behind Barbie's rise to stardom and her unstoppable reign in the world of intellectual property.
Kind of a Big Dill: Grillo’s Files Lawsuit Against Patriot for Stealing Century-Old Secret Recipe
In a recent dispute stirring up the pickle industry, Grillo's Pickles alleges that its former business associate, Patriot Pickle, has infringed upon its hundred-year-old recipe. The lawsuit, recently filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, claims that the striking similarity between Grillo's Pickles and Patriot Pickle products has raised eyebrows and concerns in the aisles of Whole Foods.
US Patent and Trademark Office Notifies Filers of Years-Long Data Leak
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) revealed that they had inadvertently exposed about 61,000 filers' private addresses in a data spill that spanned over three years, from February 2020 to March 2023. This issue was discovered in one of the agency's APIs (Application Programming Interface), which is a tool used to check the status of pending and registered trademarks.
Independence Day and Intellectual Property: Parallel Pathways to Progress
As the Fourth of July fast approaches, the spirit of independence, innovation, and perseverance fills the air. While the holiday is primarily celebrated as a milestone of our nation's independence, we at Ed White Law believe it is also an opportunity to reflect on the parallel stories of evolution, revolution, and the birth of something unprecedented, shared by both our nation and the field of Intellectual Property (IP).
“Taco Tuesday” Trademark Tussle Gets Spicy
The "Taco Tuesday" trademark tussle is getting quite spicy, and Ed White Law is here for it. Taco John's, a fast food taco spot known for its regional footprint, has issued a rebuttal to Taco Bell's efforts to democratize the phrase for public consumption. In a response filed on Friday, countering Taco Bell’s appeal to "cancel" the trademark, the parent company of Taco John’s, Spicy Seasonings, contested there is "anything 'not cool' about" the act of securing a trademark for the slogan. The organization, based in Wyoming, suggested that Taco Bell’s lawsuit is riddled with "statements of opinion to which no response is required, including that Tuesday is a mediocre day of the week."
Forbidden Fruit: Inside Apple’s Ambitious Trademark Takeover
In the Intellectual Property World, there’s a captivating trademark battle happening between Fruit Union Suisse, Switzerland's oldest and largest fruit farmer's organization, and tech giant Apple. You see, Apple is trying to trademark images of apples – the fruit, not the computers. For over a century, Fruit Union Suisse proudly displayed a red apple with a white cross—an embodiment of the Swiss national flag superimposed on one of the country's most common fruits—as its symbol. However, their logo now faces uncertainty due to Apple's ambitious pursuit of intellectual property rights over depictions of apples.
Juneteenth: Honoring Freedom and Innovation
Today we stand in the shadow of a significant day in American history. On this day, June 19th, we commemorate Juneteenth — a celebration of the emancipation of those who were enslaved in the United States. This anniversary stands not merely as a monument to the past, but as a beacon lighting our way towards a future where equality, freedom, and innovation are the rights of all.
Latham Group Expansion: A Testament to Oklahoma's Flourishing Business Environment
At our Intellectual Property firm, we have a front-row seat to the burgeoning innovation and enterprise growth within Oklahoma's borders. Today, we are excited to spotlight a significant milestone in our state's industrial landscape. Latham Group, Inc., an international leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of in-ground residential swimming pools, recently announced its latest manufacturing facility in Seminole, Oklahoma.