Sherlock Holmes Joins the Public Domain A recent federal court decision may help resolve a long-running copyright question: is Sherlock Holmes protected under US copyright, or is he in the public domain?
Sherlock Holmes Joins the Public Domain A recent federal court decision may help resolve a long-running copyright question: is Sherlock Holmes protected under US copyright, or is he in the public domain?
When Has a Trademark Been Abandoned? Once your competitor’s trademark has been abandoned, it should be free for you to use – in theory. But how do you know when a trademark has been abandoned? A recent case shows how tricky this issue can be.
“One Love” Indeed – Bob Marley Estate Sues Chicken Chain The estate of Bob Marley has filed suit against a Louisiana-based chicken finger restaurant chain, Raising Cane’s, over Raising Cane’s registration and use of the trademark ONE LOVE. Whose rights to “One Love” are superior, and why did the Marley estate wait so long to take action?
STARBUCKS Loses “CHARBUCKS” Claim In good news for those who like to root for the small family business over the big corporate monolith, Starbucks recently lost a claim in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals against a Tuftonboro, New Hampshire company who sold their coffee under the brand name “Mr. Charbucks.” The case illustrates the challenges in asserting a case of trademark dilution – but were there any real winners, after 12 years of legal battling?