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The U.S. Department of Army recently filed a notice of opposition to bar the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ registration of their name in connection with entertainment services and professional ice hockey exhibitions. The Army argues a likelihood of confusion exists as the public may confuse the Army’s Golden Knights as endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise controlling the quality and nature of the services offered by the NHL team. The Army stresses that its Parachute Team has performed in over 16,000 shows over the last 55 years and that during this time, it has been known as the “Golden Knights” and has…

Los Angeles-based company, Wixen Music Publishing, recently sued Spotify for copyright infringement. Wixen handles copyright management and royalty compliance for artists such as Tom Petty, Neil Young, Missy Elliott, Stevie Nicks, the Doors, and Steely Dan. Seeking $1.6 billion in damages and a ruling preventing Spotify from playing these songs until properly negotiated with the rights holders, the publishing company alleges the music streaming giant provided tens of thousands of songs to its users without proper licenses or compensation. In particular, Spotify failed to obtain a license from Wixen that would permit it to reproduce and distribute the songs. U.S.…

Prominent tattoo artist, James Hayden, recently filed a lawsuit in federal district court against the creators of the video game series “NBA 2K” for reproducing his copyrighted tattoo works on the digital versions of famous basketball players without his permission. Specifically, the complaint alleges copyright infringement, unjust enrichment, and violation of the Visual Artists Rights Act against 2K Games Inc. Hayden further claims the defendants’ reproduction of his copyrighted works is so detailed that the “NBA 2K17” version includes a “MyPlayer” feature allowing users to move, scale, rotate, and place over 3,000 customizable tattoos. Thus, Hayden’s copyrighted tattoo works are…

General Motors received a patent last month for an exterior airbag. The invention is aimed at providing protection to pedestrians. The airbag is mounted to the “fender region” and before the side door “to provide protection to a pedestrian from impacting the frontal area of a vehicle structure.” In particular, when an impact is detected, the airbag expels from the fender flap to cushion the windshield wipers and “other sharp pieces” on the front of the vehicle. While the most recent, GM is not the first to introduce pedestrian protection airbags. In 2012, Volvo showcased its V40 five-door hatchback featuring…

As Americans are expected to spend nearly $6 billion on Christmas decorations this year, inventors flock to the patent office to carve out market exclusivity for their own renditions of the same. Indeed, the first patented artificial Christmas tree was issued in 1911 claiming a trunk upon which twisted wires are attached and arranged to simulate natural tree branches. In 1927, another tree patent was issued that depicts an artificial tree resembling those sold today. There also exists a number of patents relating to live trees. One entitled “Trunk Mounted Christmas Tree Water Level Measuring and Alarm Device” indicates to…

In a two year-long battle with Disney, Marvel, and Lucas Film, Characters for Hire recently filed a motion for summary judgment asking the district court to find in its favor. The internet based entertainment-for-hire company was sued by Disney back in 2016 for allegedly infringing its iconic character trademarks. More specifically, Disney claims Characters for Hire is a “knock-off business…built upon the infringement of Disney’s highly valuable intellectual property rights.” The party entertainment company uses characters such as Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Iron Man, Captain America, Luke Skywalker, and Chewbacca in its appearances at themed events. Characters for Hire particularly…

After being sworn in to the California Bar earlier this week, Ms. Petersen will join the firm full-time as an Associate Attorney. Ms. Petersen earned her Juris Doctorate from Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law, where she served as a Student Ambassador, Associate Editor of the Nexus Journal of Law and Policy, and two-term President of the Intellectual Property Law Society. While at Chapman, she was awarded a full-tuition merit scholarship and the CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Patent Law & Practice, Pre-Trial Intellectual Property Litigation, Information Privacy Law, Legal Analysis Workshop, Torts, and Selected Topics…

A company called NKOR is currently in the process of raising capital and developing a new application of blockchain technology and intellectual property. Blockchain technology allows registration of information in a secure, transparent, and efficient environment. Participants can transact data directly between one another without the need for intermediaries. The system first authenticates the uploaded data, which is then linked to a particular transaction and timestamped. The system also tracks any sharing of the data by other entities, providing a system for artists and inventors alike to share their works and immediately detect any infringing use. Copyright infringement is prominent…

A recent decision by the United States International Trade Commission constitutes a victory for the country’s intellectual property system. The ITC found set top boxes used by Comcast to be infringing TiVo’s patent rights. TiVo sued Comcast when the cable provider decided it would no longer pay to license TiVo’s patented technology but would instead use it for free. Meanwhile, other cable companies would continue to pay to license this technology from TiVo. The technology at issue is based on two patents that essentially allow viewers to use their smartphones to control their set top boxes. U.S. Patent No. 8,006,263…

Apple recently filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a bendable electronic device with a flexible display. This application suggests the tech giant is keen to manufacture a foldable smartphone but mentions the technology can be used on any type of electronic device with a display including laptop computers, tablet computers, wristwatches, or other gadgets. The claimed device contains a display that would fold along its axis allowing it to bend in two ways allowing it to be opened like a book or propped up on half of its screen. This application is amongst news…