Spearmint Rhino provides adult entertainment services, namely, it owns a large number of strip joints. In its sanitized complaint, however, “Rhino’s principal business is the development and licensing of its trademarks and the maintenance of control of the quality of goods and services offered in connection with Rhino’s marks.” As…
Los Angeles, CA – Following the trend of fashion designers filing trade dress infringement lawsuits to protect designs not covered by copyright law, Jeffrey Campbell is suing Forever 21 for allegedly copying six shoe designs. Like Givenchy v. BCBG and Marc Jacobs v. Christian Audigier before it, Jeffrey Campbell is…
Santa Ana, CA – Apparel and footwear manufacturer DC Shoes, Inc. owns several USPTO registered trademarks for DC Shoes logos and DCSHOECOUSA. DC Shoes contends that through its widespread use and advertisements of its products, the marks have become famous. Owning trademarks, however, doesn’t mean you should always sue purported…
San Diego, CA – Ron Voss is suing Gillette and EA Sports for copyright infringement and unfair competition, but judging from the facts of the case, he should have asserted an idea submission or an implied in fact contract claim. People mistakenly believe that a copyright registration protects the “idea”…
Santa Ana, CA — The jury in the Mattel v. MGA battle over the Bratz dolls determined that MGA did not infringe any copyrights and did not steal the idea or concept from Mattel. Instead, the jury has awarded at least $88.5 million to MGA for Mattel’s misappropriation of MGA’s…
Los Angeles, CA – Zumba Fitness has filed several lawsuits accusing eBay sellers of counterfeiting its fitness DVDs and infringing its trademarks and copyrights. Zumba® Fitness is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that combines international music with dance steps to create an aerobic exercise regimen. Plaintiff alleges that over 10 million…
Los Angeles, CA – Speck Products manufactures carrying cases for electronic devices, including the iPad, iPhone, iPod, and Blackberry. The products are sold bearing the Speck® or Candyshell® trademarks. Last week, Speck filed numerous trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuits against numerous eBay sellers alleging sales of counterfeit electronic device…
A two week trial that should end this Friday is the cause of the slow blogging. In the meantime, the following USA Today article discusses Ferrari’s decision to change the F150 mark because of a trademark lawsuit: see who is suing Ferrari.
Los Angeles, CA – eForCity Corporation has sued Apple, Inc. seeking the Court’s declaration that its sales of various earphones do not infringe Apple’s Patent Nos. D589,491, D469,753, D596,616, and D515,070. The lawsuit was filed after Apple’s attorneys sent a cease and desist letter accusing eForcity of also infringing Apple’s…
Los Angeles, CA – Rolex must be seeing red after being sued by Solid 21 for trademark infringement for using “red gold” on, you’ll never guess, red gold jewelry. But Rolex isn’t alone and can commiserate with the other 13 or so other defendants that Solid 21 is simultaneously suing…