Bose has sold audio products since 1964, and the company is famous for its noise-canceling headphones. Beats has only been in business since 2006, but in 2012, Beats headphones made up two-thirds of all high-dollar headphone sales. Bose is accusing Beats Electronics of patent infringement, claiming that Beats is using Bose noise canceling technology in
Lenny Kravitz is suing merchandising company Cinder Block LLC for trademark infringement, based on an agreement that allegedly expired in March 2013. According to court documents, Kravitz entered into an agreement with the California based company in September 2009. For years, the company legally sold several products featuring the artist’s name and likeness, including t-shirts,
Kohl’s may have to pull a popular teen t-shirt after Jack Daniel’s, or more specifically the brand’s owner Brown-Forman, claimed that the shirt violated its trademark. The shirt is being marketed under the brand About a Girl as part of the retailer’s back to school sales aimed at preteen shoppers. The black and white design
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) assigns trademark registrations using a “use-based” system, meaning trademark registrations are awarded by “priority-of-use.” However, most foreign countries use a “first-to-file” system, where the first party to apply is given full trademark rights, even if they are not affiliated with the brand. “Bad-faith trademark filing” or “trademark
Beats Electronics, owned by hip-hop artist and producer Dr. Dre, is an American producer of headphones, speakers and other audio products. Four years ago, sales of premium headphones – those priced $99 and up – were worth $59 million in North America. In 2012, headphone sales exploded to $850 million, and nearly two out of
John Wayne was one of the most iconic actors in American cinema history, famous for his walk, talk and good looks. He was also famous for his moniker “The Duke”, a childhood nickname that followed him even after he became a celebrity. Currently, John Wayne’s family is looking to sell a line of Kentucky bourbon
Tesla Motors surprised the entire auto industry when it announced plans to share patents for its electric cars free of charge. Tesla’s electronic cars travel three times farther on a single charge than most other electric cars on the market. The Tesla Model S travels 265 miles in one trip, while the Nissan Leaf, America’s
When the U.S. Patent and Trademark office considers an application, the distinctiveness of the applicant’s mark is an important factor in their evaluation. Trademark protection offers you exclusive rights to a certain name or phrase, so the patent office needs to know: Is that name or phrase distinctive enough to identify your product and your
Two of the most important components in any trademark infringement lawsuit are customer confusion and damage to the brand. If a defendant can prove both of these, he does not have to prove actual profit loss to collect damages. In 2008, Los Angeles-based juice company Pom Wonderful filed a federal trademark lawsuit against Coca-Cola over
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cited federal trademark laws banning offensive or disparaging language when they canceled six federal trademark registrations for the name “Washington Redskins.” Based on today’s ruling, the Washington Redskins no longer own trademarks on the following words and phrases: “The Redskins” “Washington Redskins” “Redskins” and “Redskinettes.” The patent office also
