Technology & Marketing Law Blog

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

The plaintiffs claim it was a spoof app designed to steal cryptocurrency worth $5k in Diep’s case and $500k in Nagao’s case (ouch). False Advertising. ” This is a highly defense-favorable reading of the contract provision. ” Section 230. eBay case from 2008. Implications.

False Advertising 143

False Advertising Privacy Publishing Advertising 143

43(B)log

MAY 19, 2023

Roblox sued for copyright infringement, false advertising, trademark infringement, false association and false designation of origin, trade dress infringement, intentional interference with contractual relations, breach of contract, and false advertising and unfair competition under California law.

Copying 94

Copying False Advertising Social Media Advertising 94

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 4, 2022

False advertising: Plaintiffs didn’t allege that Nobelle altered the merchandise in any way; “instead, the false statement arises from implication, from the fact that Nobelle is selling products that are not theirs to sell and, in the case of ‘The Line’ items, products it does not have the authority to sell.”

False Advertising 64

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Designs 64

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

DECEMBER 9, 2022

Even if Google’s conduct could be interpreted as a technical violation of many websites’ notoriously overbroad terms of service, their conduct doesn’t meet the criteria for most online breach of contract disputes. Trademark, copyright, trespass to chattels, the law of online contracts—none of this stuff is novel.

Blogging 131

Blogging Law Contracts Cease and Desist 131

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

APRIL 27, 2024

This is a false advertising lawsuit again the mobile app game Game of Thrones: Conquest. The design elements use “a contrasting font color” making the notice legible on the dark background. The account formation process included a screen where a user could proceed only by clicking on the “play” button: Warner Bros.

False Advertising 98

False Advertising Government Privacy Design 98

43(B)log

OCTOBER 12, 2022

Litigation ensued, with lots of claims, including the Lanham Act claims on which I will focus, though breach of contract claims were prominent and survived a motion to dismiss. The Lanham Act claims were styled as false association, “false association with celebrity status,” false designation of origin, and false advertising.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Ownership 59

43(B)log

JULY 20, 2022

CC has a recent trademark registration for a design mark “consist[ing] of the stylized wording ‘COLOR COPPER.COM”, [with] a diamond shape between the wording ‘COLOR’ and ‘COPPER’ made up of four smaller diamonds, each diamond having a pattern inside of it,” COPPER.COM disclaimed. There’s no written agreement” will do it.]

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Ownership Registration Design 72

Indiana Intellectual Property Law

MARCH 7, 2023

for trademark infringement, false advertising and patent infringement. The EMSCULPT is a non-invasive medical device designed to stimulate muscle contraction using electromagnetic energy. Indianapolis, Indiana –The Plaintiff, BTL Industries, Inc. filed suit against Plaintiff JV Medical Supplies, Inc.

False Advertising 52

False Advertising Contracts Advertising Advertising 52

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

It claims to focus on “counterfeits” that could harm consumer “health and safety,” but those are both lies designed to make the bill seem narrower and more balanced than it actually is. Normally trademark owners aren’t third-party beneficiaries of that contract. A new frontier for a trade war.].

Trademark 144

Trademark False Advertising Advertising Advertising 144

Indiana Intellectual Property Law

JULY 16, 2021

ABI claims it has attained significant goodwill throughout the United States and the world and that Defendants alleged misleading and false advertisements have caused irreparable damage to ABI’s reputation. ABI is further claiming Defendants’ actions constitute false designation of origin and false advertising in violation of 15 U.S.C.

False Advertising 52

False Advertising Trademark Intellectual Property Advertising 52

43(B)log

AUGUST 5, 2022

4, 2022) Frequent IP claimant Lisa Frank is in court this time over a failed deal with a vegan cosmetics company, whose contract aspects I will ignore. LFI allegedly used the “concepts, designs and ideas” from GDI’s samples to launch a new line of products with a larger cosmetics company, Morphe. Insider Inc.

Advertising 59

Advertising Advertising False Advertising Contracts 59

43(B)log

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

2, 2022) Before the jury verdict in favor of Monster’s false advertising claim was this opinion resolving evidentiary issues. However, they fail to show that Monster dirtied its hands to make the false advertising claims now alleged against Defendants.” Monster Energy Co. Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2022 WL 17218077, No.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Social Media 59

43(B)log

JUNE 6, 2023

Enigma sued its competitor Malwarebytes for Lanham Act false advertising and NY business torts for designating its products as “malicious,” “threats,” and “potentially unwanted programs” (PUPs). The district court dismissed the complaint on the grounds that these designations were “non-actionable statements of opinion.”

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Business 59

Indiana Intellectual Property Law

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

They also assigned their entire right, title and interest in any idea, invention, design of a useful article, computer program and related documentation, as well as any other work of authorship made or conceived by them that relate to the actual or anticipated business for or on behalf of MaddenCo or its subsidiaries.

False Advertising 40

False Advertising Confidentiality Copyright Infringement Contracts 40

43(B)log

JULY 6, 2022

BD alleged that Medline made false and misleading statements that BD had to change its original design as a result of the patent litigation, that the original was found to infringe one or more of Medline’s patents, that the original was discontinued, and that the reverted design would negatively impact BD’s ability to supply sufficient inventory.

False Advertising 45

False Advertising Design Designs Advertising 45

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 16, 2021

Meredith alleged that Vacasa “has embarked on a smear campaign surgically targeted at [Plaintiff’s] homeowner customers, designed to unfairly snuff out that competition.” The court found that the alleged statements weren’t “commercial advertising” covered by the Lanham Act.

Advertising 45

Advertising Advertising False Advertising Marketing 45

43(B)log

MARCH 6, 2024

1, 2024) “Qoins is a financial technology company that collects funds from its customers and disburses payments to designated creditors in order to help its customers pay off their debts.” The court mostly denied Qoins’ motion to dismiss the resulting claims, including breach of contract and libel. Qoins Technologies, Inc.,

False Advertising 45

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Business 45

43(B)log

MAY 12, 2022

They are: the Unfair Competition Law (UCL); the False Advertising Law (FAL); and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA). While they often cover the same conduct in false advertising cases and are cumulative of each other, they have differences. UCL: The UCL, California Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq.,

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Business 59

43(B)log

AUGUST 10, 2021

6, 2021) (R&R) Shenzhen sought a declaratory judgment that a design patent for a toy gnome figurine was unenforceable and invalid, given that defendant/counter-plaintiff Tatiana Mironova allegedly purchased its stuffed gnome toys, then switched manufacturers and obtained a patent for an identical ornamental design without authorization.

Advertising 59

Advertising Advertising Design Designs 59

43(B)log

JULY 25, 2024

In fall 2023, Overjet launched its “Anatomical Structures Visualization Tool” for Overjet Caries Assist, which introduced the relevant coloring scheme and design. It also allegedly “selected the design and colors to help with brand identification; the purple, for example, complements Overjet’s purple brand color.” Overjet, Inc.

Copyright 59

Copyright False Advertising Advertising Advertising 59

43(B)log

JULY 1, 2022

30, 2022) “This case began as a routine suit for breach of a noncompete provision in an employment contract. Lanham Act false advertising: Failing to delete email and voicemail accounts is not “commercial advertising or promotion.” Continental Diamond Tool Corp., 2022 WL 2355481, No. 1:21-CV-274-HAB (N.D.

Advertising 59

Advertising Advertising False Advertising Public Use 59

43(B)log

JUNE 16, 2022

It contracts with Charities Aid Foundation of America, which in turn delivers donated funds to designated charities. For certain “celebrity experiences,” 60% of the money donated goes to CAFA to be paid to the designated charity, but for Omaze-owned campaigns, Omaze keeps 85%. The court granted the motion to dismiss in part.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Designs 59

43(B)log

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

MillerKing, a small Chicago law firm that claims to be a direct competitor of DNP, sued DNP for false association and false advertising under the Lanham Act and Illinois state law. DNP advertises that it uses artificial intelligence” rather than “human knowledge.” But DNP isn’t actually licensed to practice law.

False Advertising 49

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Contracts 49

43(B)log

JANUARY 13, 2022

Whether the court or the arbitrator would determine which contract applied was an issue “for judicial determination unless the parties clearly and unmistakably provide otherwise.” But the dispute here wasn’t about the scope of the agreement; it was whether the agreement had been superseded by another, separate contract.

Contracts 59

Contracts Advertising Advertising Government 59

SpicyIP

DECEMBER 30, 2023

The Court interpreted the clause on ownership of work made during a contract of service (Section 17(c)) to not apply in situations where there is a contract between equals. The Court limited the scope of Section 17(c) to apply to contracts where the relationship between the parties is akin to that of an apprenticeship.

IP 124

IP Copyright Trademark Intellectual Property 124

43(B)log

MAY 3, 2023

The breach of warranty claims were properly dismissed because MacNaughton failed to allege proper notice and privity of contract. Yet, if the company falsely advertised that you could ‘blow a bubble bigger than your own head,’ it is plausible that a reasonable buyer could be misled.”

Law 40

Law False Advertising Advertising Advertising 40

43(B)log

MAY 2, 2023

21, 2023) ExeGi sued Brookfield for state and federal false advertising/tortious interference. Its label doesn’t list the exact quantity of each bacteria species or strain designation, noting instead that its blend of bacteria is proprietary. ExeGi Pharma, LLC v. Brookfield Pharmaceuticals, LLC, F.Supp.3d 20-CV-192-JPS (E.D.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

IIPRD

AUGUST 4, 2022

For modern designers, this may be both a blessing and a curse. Social media influencers sign contracts with businesses to promote their products by providing original content for such brands. False advertising should be avoided when defaming a product. Build your market reputation.

Social Media 45

Social Media Intellectual Property Non-Fungible Tokens Music 45

43(B)log

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

Other developments “sharply contracted” the scope of the claims to the “All Natural” claim on three product lines. At deposition, he said he was “test[ing]” the plaintiffs’ theory of liability, but the court interpreted his answers as showing that his questions were designed to support that theory.

Litigation 59

Litigation Contracts False Advertising Reporting 59

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 3, 2024

Mary Katherine Amerine, Reasonably Careless Consumers in TM & False Advertising How do courts treat consumers in TM and false advertising cases? False advertising uses v different framework: consider the challenged ad as a whole, including disclaimers and qualifying language. Beer Nuts, Bulls’ Eye v.

False Advertising 49

False Advertising Contracts Branding Branding 49

43(B)log

AUGUST 3, 2023

Thus, nonexpressive uses don’t interfere w/the kind of interest © is designed to protect, which is why they are such strong candidates for fair use. Many contracts—77%--say sellers can only use marketing claims or materials provided by company; 71% say other claims must be pre-approved (that seems contradictory).

Social Media 40

Social Media Fair Use Advertising Advertising 40

43(B)log

AUGUST 9, 2021

for the losses caused by intentionally and wrongfully interfering with the Debtors’ customer contracts and good will. Comment: This is an interesting question given that TM/advertising people tend to define goodwill differently than general business valuation people, especially in the TM/false advertising context.

False Advertising 119

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Law 119

IP and Legal Filings

DECEMBER 20, 2024

The Trademark’s Function Under Branding The most basic of all definitions of a trademark may be termed as a sign of identification and is generally by a word, spelling, logo, slogan, or design, which can use an identifying and differentiating goods or services from one person or entity as opposed to another.

Social Media 102

Social Media Trademark Branding Brands 102

43(B)log

OCTOBER 4, 2021

In this recent case, Epic sought to register this design for "downloadable video game software"—the Loot Llama in Fortnite, which serves as a resource cache for players. 30, 2021) Plaintiff Daniel Abrahams formerly contracted with a publisher to author a series related to the Fair Labor Standards Act. 19-3009 (RDM) (D.D.C.

IP 94

IP Trademark Advertising Advertising 94

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 10, 2025

What about false advertising? LOVE sculpture , Wikimedia HOPE sculpture, Wikimedia In 2007, Plaintiff and Indiana created the HOPE image, similar to the LOVE image, which began competing with the LOVE image. Indiana didnt claim copyright in the HOPE image either. Thus, there was no actionable misrepresentation.

Public Domain 52

Public Domain Licensing Copyright False Advertising 52

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

” “I am a law professor who teaches and writes about intellectual property and entertainment law with a focus on trademarks and false advertising, particularly online.” ” “Hi, I’m [name], a Gen Z with a small marketing and web design business.

Blogging 52

Blogging Business Advertising Advertising 52

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

Interested in sellers’ understanding of the contracts. Lemley: is/should there be contributory false advertising liability? Said: note that MLM companies may also have IP troubles [Lularoe and leggings designs], which might also provide an interesting set of comparisons. Interviews/surveys? How do they make that happen?

False Advertising 45

False Advertising Trademark Advertising Advertising 45