Monday, February 26, 2007

Sounds Like a Belated Assertion of its Rights. The Washington Post reports that "MP3 Patent Verdict Harmless To Music Fans -- For Now." From the article: "Alcatel-Lucent sued Microsoft over audio-file technology that the software giant first included in its Windows operating system in 1998 and later built into its Windows Media Player."

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Interesting First Sale Case. IP Law Observer points to this recent Sixth Circuit case analyzing the first sale doctrine under trademark and copyright law.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Interesting Negotiating Strategy. The AP reports that "Cisco, Apple settle iPhone trademark lawsuit." From the article: "The companies said Wednesday they reached an agreement that will allow Apple to use the name for its sleek new multimedia device in exchange for exploring wide-ranging 'interoperability' between the companies' products in the areas of security, consumer and business communications. No other details of the agreement were released."

Monday, February 19, 2007

Somehow I Doubt the Advertisers Are Getting Their Money's Worth... The AP reports that "Entrepreneurs profit from free Web names." From the article: "The department store chain Neiman Marcus Group Inc. even filed a federal lawsuit last year accusing the registration company Dotster Inc. of tasting hundreds of names meant to lure Internet users who mistype Web addresses. At one point, the lawsuit said, the misspelled NeimuMarcus.com featured ads for Target, Nordstrom and other rivals."
Now That's Medicine I Wouldn't Mind Taking. Reuters reports in "Feeding your brain: new benefits found in chocolate." From the article: "Funded by candy maker Mars Inc., which provided a specially formulated liquid cocoa concoction for the research, the studies suggest that flavanols increase blood flow to the brain and may hold promise for treating some vascular impairments."
Much Ado About a Bear of Very Little Brain. Reuters reports that "California judge lets family keep Winnie the Pooh." From the article: "In a written order issued on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper granted the Slesingers' motion to dismiss the case, in which the granddaughters of Pooh author A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard, sued to terminate the Slesingers' rights to the character and reassign them to Disney."

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Are Art Prints Usually "Autographed"? Looks like Keith Urban has a pretty good claim. The AP reports that "Keith Urban files suit over Web address." From the article: "The Web site includes the statement: 'You have reached the site of Keith Urban. To those who don't know, oil painting is one of my hobbies.' It then directs viewers to a gallery of paintings and offers a limited edition of prints for sale [which prints are described as being "autographed]."

Monday, February 05, 2007

Interesting Resolution. Reuters reports that "Apple and Beatles settle trademark squabble." From the article: "The two companies said Apple Inc. would now own all the trademarks related to 'Apple' and would license certain trademarks back to Apple Corps for continued use."