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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…

After a year of struggle following their initial arrival at Plymouth Rock in 1620, the Pilgrims finally had a fruitful harvest due to the help of the Native Americans. To celebrate, the Pilgrims invited their Native American friends to a feast and Thanksgiving was born. In the spirit of this struggle faced by the Pilgrims, many inventors have concocted various methods and apparatuses to ease the struggle facing modern chefs. For instance, Alan B. Rogers et al. disclosed a method for preparing a frozen stuffed fowl in U.S. Patent No. 2,928,748, describing a poultry-stuffing process. Similarly, Peter A. Sieczkiewiz patented…

Amazon.com Inc. recently announced its intention to make a foray into private-label athletic attire. While Lululemon already faces competition from brands such as Nike, Under Armour, Athleta, as well as others, the e-commerce company may pose a novel threat with its price-driven strategy. Moreover, in order to manufacture this new line of sportswear, Amazon has contracted Eclat Textile Co., a top Lululemon supplier that helped the yoga-pant giant create its signature Luon fabric as well as newer materials. This may prove problematic for Lululemon as it lacks the proper intellectual property protection to halt Amazon from invading its market. Not…

Famous athletes commonly trademark their names and jersey numbers. Indeed, Shaquille O’Neal owns “Dunkman” for apparel and accessories, “Shaq-Fu” for books, softdrinks, and video games, and “Shaq Attaq” for clothing and footwear. Shaq even trademarked his signature. Similarly, Tim Tebow holds the trademark for “Tebowing,” which is the kneeling prayer stance he took before games. Not only do these sports icons trademark their personas, many also seek protection of inspirational slogans or phrases. Back in 2007, the Lance Armstrong Foundation registered “Livestrong.”  More recently, LBJ Trademarks LLC, owned by Lebron James, trademarked “Nothing is Given. Everything is Earned.” Olympic sprinter…

Scientific research has consistently confirmed that olfaction is strongly associated with memories and emotions. As such, the use of this less-exploited sense as a marketing ploy provides an advantage over other crowded channels, such as visual or auditory. Earlier this year, Hasbro filed an application for registration of the scent of its Play-Doh toy modeling compound as a trademark. Trademarks serve to distinguish the products and services of one company from those of a competitor in the minds of consumers. Trademarks are commonly words, designs, or combinations thereof, but other non-traditional trademarks, including scent, have been recognized by the U.S.…