“If this decision signals anything bigger than its direct consequences, it is this: No one should get used to their rights.” https://apple.news/AbKWJtpw2S_iqC5-hB5ghqg
“the “settled” working class versus the “hard living.” A broad and fuzzy line divides these two groups, but generally speaking, settled folks work consistently while the hard living do not. The latter are thus more likely to fall into destructive habits” https://apple.news/ANg9aVpaXQ7itXNZbkbDOIw
If you want to sue someone for copyright infringement, it's great when you win, but keep in mind that if you lose, you're may go bankrupt
Ed Sheeran Scores Second Victory in Copyright Trial as Judge Awards Him $1.1 Million in Costs https://variety.com/2022/music/news/ed-sheeran-copyright-costs-1235300409/
Who Pays a Child’s Private School Tuition After a Divorce?
https://www.furmanzavatsky.com/who-pays-a-childs-private-school-tuition-after-a-divorce/
I'll be back at Comic-Con this year, speaking about copyright termination, Friday the 13th, and Top Gun: Maverick.
Anyone else going?
From the EPO: All the winners: European Inventor Award 2022: #EPO announces winners of European Inventor Award and inaugural Young Inventors prize http://dlvr.it/SSb8LV
Also a great win for the proper application of federal trademark dilution law. Exclusive use does not mean exclusive use in a single category of goods/services but across all goods/services.
Such a great win for WBM. Best line from the 220-page decision: “In short, Dairy Queen’s own conduct suggests that it was not concerned about the likelihood of consumer confusion when it consciously changed its Blizzard logo to make it more similar to W.B. Mason’s logo.”
A federal judge in Minnesota has rejected Dairy Queen’s claims that Brockton-based W.B. Mason’s use of the “Blizzard” name for bottled spring water infringed on DQ’s trademarks for its popular line of frozen treats. https://trib.al/0T90jgq
Wanted to post a picture of my dad for #FathersDay
Getting a Divorce While Owning a Business
https://www.furmanzavatsky.com/getting-a-divorce-while-owning-a-business/
Ben Smith, Suiter Swantz patent attorney, discusses judicial constructions of “public use” prior to the America Invents Act (AIA) likely apply to “public use,” in our newest blog post.
Read here: https://suiter.com/judicial-constructions-of-public-use-prior-to-the-america-invents-act-aia-likely-apply-to-public-use/
From the EPO: Users respond on grace period for #patents: Recent survey provides evidence on impact of novelty requirement under the EPC http://dlvr.it/SSMYPN
From the EPO: #EPO and INDECOPI Peru heads of office meeting: President Campinos held a virtual meeting with Julián Fernando Palacín Gutiérrez, Executive President of INDECOPI http://dlvr.it/SSFNdH
How Should You Work with Your Divorce Attorney? https://bit.ly/3QobQlV
From the EPO: Format of oral proceedings before examining divisions: Oral proceedings before examining divisions are as a rule held by videoconference http://dlvr.it/SSDDts
From the EPO: #EPO joins the TTO Circle with observer status: Building on the #EPO’s commitment to innovation and technology transfer http://dlvr.it/SS9LDJ
Retweeting this tweet for no particular reason at all
I will bet 1000 Dogecoin that http://crypto.com is out of business well before this contract ends. https://twitter.com/FOS/status/1460852928776966144
A discussion of the overlap between copyright, trademark and right of publicity for athletes at @TheCSUSA. How many logos in this photo can you match to the athlete they represent?
There's another lawyer discussing the Horror, Inc. v. Miller case @TheCSUSA meeting
Maybe the most exciting part of @TheCSUSA conference: The Wall of Doughnuts
#copyrightAM
Shira Perlmutter, registrar of @CopyrightOffice, gives the update on the new changes to the website @TheCSUSA. Most copyright applications now taking only 5 weeks to process. #copyrightAM
I try to stay positive in my Twitter feed, and Chicago so far has lived up to its reputation as an amazing city, but man, I do not for the life of me understand their obsession with deep dish pizza #thincrustrules
This painting {made for The Picture of Dorian Gray film) is such a vibe
Reporting from Chicago for the annual meeting of @TheCSUSA
What Documents Should You Gather When Getting Divorced? https://bit.ly/3xt0apA
Fun fact: Did you know Donald Duck made his first screen debut on June 9th 1934. Happy #NationalDonaldDuckDay! Trademark here: https://trademarks.justia.com/771/30/donald-77130154.html
From the EPO: IP5 step up co-operation on sustainability: The heads of the world's five largest intellectual property offices (IP5) met virtually today for their 15th annual meeting. http://dlvr.it/SRw3C6
“The politics of crime aren’t just about justice. They’re also about cities, and about whether middle-class people feel safe, comfortable, able to thrive.” https://apple.news/AbH5TULcJTua1D7g0ubPAUw
In San Francisco schools: “‘Merit’ is an inherently racist construct designed and centered on white supremacist framing.” https://apple.news/ADM3ksi_-QDSOcoMKccVflw
If you have the right case, the studios will settle. They are few and far between, but it happens. But because of confidentiality provisions in the settlement agreement, people don't hear about it.
I think many plaintiffs bring these "stole my script" copyright lawsuits because they think studios will settle. But Hollywood never caves on these lawsuits. https://twitter.com/lexlanham/status/1534518772685471744
How are Recurring Gifts Used to Calculate Child Support? https://bit.ly/3xvdTNw
nonparticipation pact … a certain demobilization https://apple.news/AtiRlSpwoSn2OtZ6YH7lMDA
#Tampa isn’t a hockey town.
Tampa is THE hockey town!

💙 u Tampa
“500-square-foot home can be broken down to fit on one truck and shipped anywhere in the country at regular shipping rates, then it can be assembled in just a matter of hours once it arrives to the site” https://apple.news/Aw2aQIBy-RoWXjqPIKEsyng
“line-drive to second base good which will please those with a specific interest in Kamela Khan and what she represents. The biggest way in which the show stands out is in how it implicitly associates Disney’s IP with feminist teenage rebellion.” https://apple.news/AEnsoKu7fQOm2HPWVag-1AQ
they are too vague to be a protectable element (e.g., "True grit, American-style, and patriotism pervade the Story.") I'm haven't changed my opinion that Paramount doesn't have a lot to worry about.
The similarities are mainly either factual and therefore unprotectable (e.g., "The Story is set at the “Top Gun” school at the Naval Air Station in Miramar, CA, which is close to the Pacific Ocean and beach") or else 2/
Ok, it turns out there is a list of similarities in the Top Gun lawsuit, it was just attached as an exhibit, not in the Complaint itself. I reviewed the list of similarities and I'm still not impressed. 1/
https://1drv.ms/b/s!AjITuijrKmrjiq5mY3SObzF3FmJk5Q?e=MVMLgX
that you need that author's permission to write a fictional story based on the facts in that article. My prediction on this lawsuit is that it will be shot down in flames
I would be very skeptical of this claim. It is common for studios to want to buy "IP" when making a movie, even when they don't necessarily have to do so, if only to scare off other studios. Just because someone wrote an article about the Top Gun school doesn't mean 5/
What is notable about the complaint is that it doesn't bother to list one similarity between the original article and Maverick. Since the complaint goes into great detail about the copyright termination act, but is extremely vague about the actual infringement, 4/
The problem with Plaintiff's case is that copyright doesn't protect "facts." And although the complaint alleges that the original story took a rather dry subject and made it "cinematic," that doesn't give the article's author the exclusive rights to those facts. 3/
Paramount bought the rights to the article and used it as the basis for the original film. The heirs of the original author terminated the transfer after 35 years (effective 1/20/20) and now claim that Paramount doesn't have the right to distribute Top Gun: Maverick 2/
This lawsuit is going to get a lot of press because of the incredible success of Top Gun 2. But after reviewing the complaint, this is probably an extremely weak case. The complaint alleges that the original film was based on a California magazine article called "Top Guns" 1/
Breaking: Paramount Pictures hit with a blockbuster lawsuit claiming that it lacks rights to "Top Gun." The sequel is an infringement, claims plaintiffs, who say studio ignored a copyright termination notice from family of original author. https://puck.news/could-paramount-lose-top-gun/
“Another dominating personal trait … Each viewed the world through the prism of hate.” https://apple.news/AdKUbF4HCTcyZGo6Hih5L9A
“kind of, you know, bollocksed. ... When you’re on the opposite side of shameless lying, you really are thrown off balance. I mean, how do you respond to that?”
https://apple.news/AiNvXCUO8QLO4Cz7YmL4kxg
How to Calculate Support Payments If Spouse is Self-Employed? https://bit.ly/3x6F8wG
“I instantly put my cameras down so I could help her. I knew that was more important than taking more photos.” https://apple.news/ALg2S9ZTQQMC95xeMeJZfTQ
This lawsuit filed against Mariah Carey is just garbage. The songs sound nothing alike and you can't protect the title of a song. The complaint doesn't even allege that the two songs sound alike.
Link to Complaint: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AjITuijrKmrjiq1bEDnPFKu4XhvVbw?e=mSWlav
Mariah Carey is being sued for copyright infringement over her famous song 'All I Want For Christmas is You.' https://www.tmz.com/2022/06/03/mariah-carey-sued-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-copyright-infringement/?adid=social-twa
9 pm Eastern start times for NBA Finals games should be outlawed. Now that I have your attention, call your Senator’s office today and demand a federal assault weapons ban. We need this, universal background checks, and red flag laws NOW. https://www.npr.org/2022/06/02/1102660499/biden-gun-control-speech-congress