Most entrepreneurs in California and around the country understand the importance of intellectual property and take steps to protect it, but they are often unsure about what to do when their logos, branding, formulas, inventions or trade secrets are used by others...
Year: 2018
Copyright infringement lawsuit brought against Oscar frontrunner
The Oscars are not all fun and games. Amidst the awards, partying and celebration, there is a copyright dispute going on behind the scenes. According to the Los Angeles Times, there is a copyright lawsuit against The Shape of Water. While the Oscar frontrunner has...
Federal judge allows embedded photo copyright case to advance
Copyright protections enable many people and organizations in California to earn an income. The ruling of a U.S. District Court judge surprised media observers when she chose not to halt a photographer's case against multiple media outlets. The photographer had filed...
Uber settlement with Waymo
Residents of California who follow the news coming out of Silicon Valley may have heard that Uber has been spending the past year tied up in litigation over its driverless car technology; the company suing Uber, Waymo, has been claiming that Uber stole its proprietary...
Beatles’ companies file suit against online counterfeit vendors
California is the home of the entertainment industry, and that industry can also spawn disputes over copyrights, trademarks and counterfeit fan-oriented merchandise. The Beatles have filed a lawsuit against 48 different websites for selling counterfeit fan gear with...
Disputes ongoing over James Brown’s estate
In January 2018, a lawsuit was filed in California regarding the estate of the singer James Brown. It is one of more than a dozen challenges filed since his death in 2006, and their steady stream means that the underprivileged children he hoped to help as well his...
Trade secret lawsuit filed against Uber company
California has become a hub of technological advancement for the United States, as well as around the world. When it comes to innovative technologies that can enhance the lives of consumers, medical patients and professionals, competition is fierce. It is not uncommon...
Grumpy Cat case resolved for $710,000
Grumpy Cat Limited won a $710,000 award for copyright and trademark infringement by Grenade Beverage. The amount was decided by a jury verdict in the Central District of California court on Jan. 23. In 2013, Grenade Beverage was given a license to use the image of...
Eagles and real-life Hotel California settle dispute
An ongoing trademark battle between the famous classic US rock band, the Eagles, and a Mexican hotel calling itself Hotel California has ended. The song "Hotel California" was one of the Eagles' greatest hits and continues to be popular decades after its release in...
U.S. Army files trademark litigation against Las Vegas NHL team
Hockey fans in California may be enjoying the Cinderella inaugural season of the National Hockey League expansion Vegas Golden Knights, but lawyers representing the U.S. Army expressed less enthusiasm regarding the team's name and color scheme. Army lawyers have filed...