Labeling to Save the Planet: GreenBlue’s New Program is FTC Green Guide Compliant
If your community recycles -- you can find out here if you're not sure -- then you probably are familiar with the plastic recycling symbols shown here: As if this…
My new favorite local brand – Techtastic
TechTastic | Fantastic Technicians The Top 5 reasons why I love the TechTastic brand so much? (1) Its sole meaning is a brand. (2) It is alliterative. (3) It is…
Geekview IP week in Review — WTF Edition
I always suspected engaging in S&M might expose the participants to litigation. The accomplished photographer, artist and director, David LaChapelle, sued performing artist Rihanna for copyright infringement, trademark infringement, unfair…
Great-Grandma Gets Grumpy, Fights for her Rights (of Publicity)
A friend sent me an article about a great-grandmother who was irked over the use of her image in an ad supporting an Ohio voter referendum, Issue 2. If passed,…
Imported, Indeed. Made in USA Foundation Confronts Automotive False Advertising
Yesterday, The Made in the USA Foundation (Foundation) filed two petitions with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The petitions requested that the FTC issue complaints, one against Chrysler (here) and…
Brand Bully Basement
Brand Bully BasementSM Trademark bullying happens when a trademark owner over-reaches in the exercise of its trademark rights. Usually, though not always, this involves a big company threatening unwarranted costly…
Geekview IP week(s) Review
CA Water District's new domain names unfairly drown out Central Basin Municipal Water District. It's no mystery that California is experiencing a water crisis. Apparently the crisis has grown so…
Apple Tribute Infringement?
On October 5, 2011 Steve Jobs died and the world lost a great man. In honor, one of my tech friends, Eric Greenspan of Make It Work, posted the…
Will Wella Whoop Willa? A TM Battle Between Skin Care Makers
Two colleagues sent me messages while I was out of the office last week about the September 28, 2011 New York Times.com article discussing the WILLA v WELLA trademark dispute. …
Apple Denied! TTAB Upholds Refusal to Register MULTI-TOUCH
Apple is known for innovation. Above on the left is Apple's revolutionary touch-screen device. Above on the right is a portion of the patent for this device. Apple's…