Technology & Marketing Law Blog

OCTOBER 9, 2024

Whatever legal ambiguity might have existed then has been decisively resolved, at least with respect to competitive keyword ads that don’t use the trademark in the ad copy. This ruling doesn’t address the scenario where the advertiser’s ad copy references the trademark. Google (4th Circuit). Actual Confusion.

Advertising 96

Advertising Advertising Trademark False Advertising 96

43(B)log

MARCH 10, 2023

24, 2023) Previous decision here —really interesting attack on internet arbitrage; defendant copied Krikor’s eBay memorabilia photos and listed the memorabilia on its own site with a markup; anyone who bought from defendant would actually have defendant buy from Krikor and drop-shipped to the purchaser. Nor was the use of the photos fair use.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Copying 59

43(B)log

DECEMBER 23, 2022

Although expressing some skepticism, the court found that they stated a valid false advertising claim. Thus, Universal argued that the alleged misrepresentation was too vague and non-specific to definitely represent that viewers would see De Armas or her segment in the movie. But explicit misstatements aren’t required.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Social Media 72

43(B)log

MARCH 4, 2024

29, 2024) Previously, after a bench trial, the court found Albion liable for falsely advertising its caulk dispensing guns as “Made in the USA.” After more evidence, the court found that Albion adequately supported its unclean-hands defense—that Newborn had also made false USA origin claims—until early 2007. Newborn Bros.

False Advertising 45

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 45

43(B)log

JULY 20, 2022

The copy of the brochure deposited with the copyright office is 50 pages long and consists primarily of photographs depicting products and product features purportedly available from ‘ColorCopper.com.’” There’s a similar copyright registration for this site. 1” therein. They did not do so here, so the court dismissed the trade dress claims.

False Advertising 72

False Advertising Ownership Registration Design 72

43(B)log

OCTOBER 11, 2022

Nor could the state short-circuit constitutional analysis by adopting definitions of, e.g., “chorizo.” “[T]he simple use of a word frequently used in relation to animal-based meats does not make use of that word in a different context inherently misleading.” Thus, Central Hudson applied.

Law 56

Law False Advertising Designs Design 56

Delaware Intellectual Property Litigation Blog

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

In reaching its holding, the Court found that “Congress intended to limit the definition of ‘inventor’ to natural persons” which means humans – not artificial intelligence. A copy of the Memorandum Opinion is attached. at *17-18.

Inventor 91

Inventor Intellectual Property Patent Patent Law 91

43(B)log

AUGUST 1, 2022

ICC develops model building codes and standards; it sued a competitor, UpCodes, for false advertising (Lanham Act, NY GBL, and common law unfair competition). ICC also publishes “Custom Codes” that integrate these amendments into its codes; it sells physical and electronic copies of both kinds of codes. UpCodes Inc.,

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Law Advertising Advertising 59

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

JANUARY 8, 2024

The court says there can’t be MULTIPLE instances of INITIAL interest confusion: By definition, initial interest confusion is “confusion that creates initial customer interest.” the rival included ad copy telling consumers they were buying the trademark owner’s items when they weren’t. LoanStreet v.

Trademark 92

Trademark Advertising Advertising False Advertising 92

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

.” Clearly, the second part of that definition targets Amazon and other major marketplaces, such as eBay, Walmart Marketplace, and Etsy. The first part of the definition includes services with “publicly interactive features that allow for arranging the sale or purchase of goods.”

Trademark 144

Trademark False Advertising Advertising Advertising 144

43(B)log

AUGUST 3, 2023

So too w/false advertising. Assumptions skipped over in TM/false advertising analysis.] That’s where disclosure rules need the most attention: definition and relation to what courts are going to do with the registration. It’s market definition. The definition expanded far beyond packaging/display.

Registration 52

Registration False Advertising Advertising Advertising 52

43(B)log

MAY 2, 2023

21, 2023) ExeGi sued Brookfield for state and federal false advertising/tortious interference. ExeGi Pharma, LLC v. Brookfield Pharmaceuticals, LLC, F.Supp.3d 3d -, 2023 WL 3142311, No. 20-CV-192-JPS (E.D. The court here resolves only the Lanham Act claims, partially in ExeGi’s favor. The parties compete in the market for probiotics.

False Advertising 59

False Advertising Advertising Advertising Marketing 59

Technology & Marketing Law Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2024

The rival bought competitive keyword ads (the court uses the term “conquesting,” which I objected to here ) but didn’t include the third-party trademark in the ad copy. Here’s an example: Competitive keyword advertising by law firms has been a source of trouble for years. Mark Similarity. ” PREACH.

Trademark 96

Trademark Advertising Advertising False Advertising 96

SpicyIP

DECEMBER 30, 2023

The Court held that “diagnostic” under Section 3(i) should neither be construed narrowly, limited to only in-vivo or definitive diagnosis, nor broadly to include any process “relating to” diagnosis. The central issue here was whether Section 3(i) is restricted to only in vivo tests practices on the human body. HULM Entertainment v.

IP 114

IP Copyright Trademark Intellectual Property 114

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

Copying may be directly costless to the knowledge creator, but knowledge transfer is not, and who is initiating may affect what’s going on here: knowledge transfer encodes voluntariness which fits with Cicero but not with a lot of the copying to which people object today. I don’t think that’s true either. 3) Functionality.

False Advertising 45

False Advertising Trademark Advertising Advertising 45

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 3, 2024

A: definitely could be a factor. You can copy a Rembrandt and do a beautiful job but it’s not a Rembrandt.” Herman Miller brings claims of unfair competition, false association, false advertising, right of publicity, TM rights including dilution, claiming designer’s name, model names, and shape of the design.

Designs 59

Designs Design Law Design Patent 59

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Businesses harm consumers only in a few ways—false advertising, monopoly prices, defective products. Role definitions can render certain interpretations “irrational.” A: yes, you could definitely find problems there—restrictive terms, deplatforming, refusal to deal on nondiscriminatory basis. We like copying!

Law 119

Law Branding Brands Branding 119