A dispute between darts associations led to an interesting recent court ruling concerning whether a delinquent corporation can own a trademark. The case is Southern California Darts Association v. Zaffina in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
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Keep it Legal Blog
Budweiser Tries to Register the Sound of a Can Opening as a Trademark
September 30, 2014
Everyone’s favorite beloved high-quality American brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A., a société anonyme legally organized under the laws of Belgium, recently tried to protect an unusual bit of intellectual property: the sound of a Budweiser can opening. “Wait, doesn’t that sound like any kind of can opening? How can that be a trademark?” If you’re asking these questions, congratulations, you’re a reasonable human being. So can A-B protect that sound as a trademark?
Can a Business Prevent Bad Reviews?
September 23, 2014
I recently wrote about the enforceability of online arbitration agreements. Now there’s a new law on the books that may affect many online – and real-world – contracts in California. On September 9, 2014, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law banning non-disparagement clauses in consumer contracts. So what does this have to do with Yelp? And can a business prevent bad reviews?
Disney v. Deadmau5 Trademark Battle
September 16, 2014
Is there room in the trademark world for more than one cartoon mouse? Disney doesn’t seem to feel that there is, and they’ve finally decided to take action against one of the world’s most popular electronic music artists.
