Author Archive

Nintendo has filed a trademark request for “It’s On Like Donkey Kong” believing that the Donkey Kong video game they have the rights to is being infringed upon by others using this phrase.  Even though this phrase was never mentioned or shown in the actual video game, Nintendo believes they should have the trademark.  Is it a publicity stunt or a serious attempt at a trademark?  Nintendo released its latest version of a Donkey Kong game this past week.

Read the Nintendo press release here

Read CNN’s report of the announcement here

Napster was one of the first in a long line of Internet Music issues.  Perhaps because of these style of websites the patents on Internet music were too strong.  The EFF or Electronic Frontier Foundation has challenged and won creating more reasonable Internet music patents.  Should be interesting to see how the future of Internet music plays out?

Read the entire article here

When do Rights of Publicity start? Former college football player Sam Keller would like this answered. Mr. Keller believes that companies including the NCAA has benefited from his likeness for a few years from the popular video games that use the likeness of college players. The college sports video game industry is a multi-million dollar industry and the outcome of this case may change the whole scene.

Read the entire article here

The European Union is near a decision on a patent process that would be enforceable amongst all countries, with a single court to handle all litigation.  Currently, a patent in 13 European Union countries can cost as much as 10 times the amount for a patent to cover all of the United States.

Read the entire article here

Facebook is trying to find out. Facebook would like to trademark the word “face”. Facebook has spent sometime in the USPTO offices, with numerous trademarks to their name. Will “Face” be their next?

Read the entire article here

Yes, indeed even one of the most notorious bike gangs to ever be associated with a logo would like to fight for their Intellectual Property, or so they believe. The Hells Angels have filed a lawsuit in Federal court in Los Angeles stating Saks, Zappos, as well as others has used the Hells Angels logo without an agreement.

Read the entire article here

Marvel a Disney-owned brand believes that due to similarities in the logo and slogan that a power tools company is infringing on their intellectual property.  Other have used the “Hulk” term with previous products but without the logo and slogan likeness, at some point the line will be crossed at it appears power tools has done it.

Read the complete article here

Facebook has taken a serious step towards trying to push out startup competitors.  It will be interesting to see how the patent disturbs some of the new hot businesses like Foursquare and Gowalla.

Read about the new Facebook Patent here

New York Law School announced last week that the second Peer to Patent pilot program would happen.  Peer to Patent is an initiative to open the patent process to the public.  Is this a good idea?

Read the complete article here

Looks like there are some changes ahead for the international patent system according to World Intellectual Property Organization.

Read about the changes here