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Comedian Larry the Cable Guy Files Trademark Lawsuit Against Gas Station

Comedian Daniel Lawrence Whitney, known by his stage name Larry the Cable Guy, has filed a trademark lawsuit against a Diamondhead gas station. The gas station, located in Mississippi, is using the catchphrase “Giterdone”, which is used by Larry the Cable Guy as part of his standup act. Whitney filed the lawsuit in the Southern District of

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Why the California Marijuana Industry Lacks Trademark Protections

In 1996, California voters passed the Compassionate Use Act, legalizing access to medicinal marijuana. Since 1996, the medical marijuana industry in California has grown substantially, offering patients access to cannabis-infused cookies, ice cream, candies and thousands of strains. Governor Jerry Brown recently signed a law that allows medical marijuana companies to attract venture capitalists and

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Why Is the E-Cigarette Industry Ripe for Trademark Lawsuits?

E-cigarettes have become an extremely popular alternative to tobacco products by offering a wider range of flavors and appearing healthier than cigarettes. These new products work by utilizing juice, coils and wicks to produce flavorful vapor, which can serve as an alternative for people who want to quit smoking. E-liquids come in a variety of

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Hey, You Stole My Idea! – Polaroid Sued GoPro over Copycat Allegations

An epic legal battle between two camera makers is now underway, with Polaroid alleging GoPro stole the design for its portable camera, the Polaroid Cube. Both products, which can easily be attached to equipment and clothing, have become popular among athletes with an appetite for extreme sports. The market for wearable cameras has done exceptionally

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Why Metal Gear Creators Were Almost Sued for Trademark Infringement

Video game enthusiasts have probably heard of Solid Snake and Big Boss, the legendary heroes of the Metal Gearseries. Gamers may not realize both characters are loosely based on Snake Plissken, the anti-hero from the movies Escape from New York and Escape from L.A. Kurt Russel plays Snake Plissken in both movies. The similarities between Solid Snake, Big Boss

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The 500-Year-Old Trade Secret: A Short History of Ancient Alcohol

Distilleries are known for being businesses where trade secrets are a critical matter of importance. Building a brand in the alcoholic beverage industry requires these businesses to be unique while retaining a reputation for unmatched quality. Take for example Bénédictine, the world-famous French liqueur. A monk named Dom Bernardo Vincelli created the recipe in 1510, using the

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Subway Sued for Lying About the Size of Its Footlong Sub

Subway has come under scrutiny for lying about the size of its Footlong subs, one of the sandwich maker’s most famous products. We have all heard the commercials “$5 Footlong!”, but it turns out the famous sandwich might be a hoax. In 2013, an Australian customer upset over the size of a Footlong they had

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Donald Trump Trademarks Campaign Slogan “Make America Great Again”

Donald Trump’s trademarked campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again”, has become an internet and commercial sensation, selling tens of thousands of T-shirts and hats. During his last presidential campaign in 2012, Trump filed a trademark application for the phrase, which was approved four months ago. Ronald Reagan was the first to use the phrase during his

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That One Time When Lucasfilm Sued President Reagan’s Star Wars Program

During the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan’s administration worked with High Frontier to develop the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a space-based laser that would shoot down incoming ballistic missiles launched from the Soviet Union. In the media, the plan was referred to as “Star Wars”. Lucasfilm responded to the name by suing High Frontier for trademark infringement.

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Pow! Bam! Trademark Infringement! Batmobile Maker Sued by DC Comics

Very few people have crossed Batman without feeling a swift kick from justice. Take for example, the Batmobile maker who was sued by DC Comics for trademark infringement. The Gotham Garage Business made almost $200,000 by creating replicas of the vehicle famous for chasing down villains. According to the lawsuit, the replicas depict the same vehicles

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