A day after announcing that “fair use” would not shield AI training models against potential copyright infringement, President Donald Trump fired Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights, and her superior, Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden. These layoffs may shape the future of copyright law in the age of AI.
Legal and Constitutional Concerns
Perlmutter’s dismissal on May
Originally posted on Seyfarth’s The Blunt Truth blog.
I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a TOYS R US kid. So, many of us grew up with this commercial jingle and it along with the brand brings back positive memories of celebrating birthdays and holidays. But what happens when a company operating in a not so kid-friendly field starts using a trademark similar to that of the TOYS R US mark?
In a case that blends nostalgia with modern controversy, Tru Kids Inc., the owner of the TOYS R US mark, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut against a vape and cannabis retailer operating under the name VAPE R US. The complaint alleges trademark infringement, dilution, false designation of origin, and unfair competition under both federal and state law. Tru Kids Inc. v. Vape R Us, Inc. et al, 3:25-cv-00781-VAB (D.Conn.).
At the heart of the dispute is the retailer’s use of branding that closely mirrors the iconic TOYS R US trademark and others associated with the brand. According to the complaint, the vape shop’s signage features multicolored bubble letters, a reversed “R” with a star, and even a depiction of Geoffrey the Giraffe. The long-standing mascot of the toy brand appears with a not so familiar “toy”—a vaping device.Continue Reading I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a What Kind of Kid? Toys R Us Takes on Vape R Us in Trademark Battle
On Thursday, April 24, Seyfarth IP associate and International Trademark Association (INTA) Digital Event Committee member, JC Zwisler, will be a featured panelist in the International Trademark Association (INTA)’s virtual program: “INTA FOMO – How to Get to, and Make the Most of, The Annual Meeting”
Hosted by INTA’s Digital Events Committee, this practical and
Originally posted on Seyfarth’s The Blunt Truth blog.
Last year, the case of BBK Tobacco & Foods LLP v. Central Agriculture Inc. made headlines in the trademark world when the Ninth Circuit held that district courts have jurisdiction to alter or cancel trademark applications. 97 F.4th 668 (9th Cir. 2024).
Once again, the case is
If you’re “wirkin” to save up the money for a BIRKIN bag, you may be waiting a long time. And it may be just as hard to get an imitation version, based on the recent shutdown of a couple of foreign manufacturers’ attempts at selling what has been dubbed the “Wirkin” by consumers on Walmart’s
A longstanding Australian brand, UGG Since 1974, is fighting for the right to use its UGG trademark for footwear in the United States. Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a US-based shoe company, filed a lawsuit against the Australian brand’s holding company in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging that it has prior
A recent lawsuit between two influencers, Alyssa Sheil and Sydney Nicole Gifford, highlights critical issues of copyrights and likeness rights in the influencer space. Both are known for posting photos that feature a minimalist look focusing on neatness, simplicity, and natural beauty. This has come to be known as the “clean girl” aesthetic, and it
We’ve moved into winter and that means many bands and artists are taking a breather after summer and fall tours. Some seemed to go on for eras. For me, that means waiting a few months to catch some favorite acts. But I’ve got plenty of music to digest in the meantime. To my surprise, several
Originally sourced from Seyfarth’s The Blunt Truth Blog.
Recent legislative changes in California have opened up exciting opportunities for cannabis lounges and retailers. With a new law allowing on-premise consumption areas, the sale of food and drinks, and the hosting of live music events, businesses are gearing up to create unique and engaging experiences.
What do a social media content creator and reality television stars have in common? Apart from more followers than I’ll ever have, significant issues regarding their trademarks. Jools Lebron, a content creator, was distraught to learn that several individuals applied to register with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) a catchphrase she