IPR NEWS – JULY

Overstock to rebrand as Bed Bath & Beyond after buying brand’s intellectual property

In a transformative acquisition, online retail giant Overstock has revealed plans to undergo a complete rebranding, adopting the name of the renowned home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond after purchasing the brand’s intellectual property. This strategic move aims to bolster Overstock’s market position and broaden its product offerings. By aligning itself with Bed Bath & Beyond’s well-established reputation for quality home essentials and leveraging its name recognition, Overstock seeks to tap into a loyal customer base and enhance its competitive edge in the retail sector.

Barbie Vs BRBY

Mattel said it uses its world-recognized “Barbie” mark in many fields outside of the popular dolls it introduced in 1959. It cited federal trademarks for products including clothing, jewelry and cosmetics, as well as a highly-publicized live-action “Barbie” movie being released Burberry applied for a federal trademark for “BRBY” last year. Mattel said “BRBY” and “Barbie” are “visually similar” and “phonetically identical,” and argued consumers could view “BRBY” as “a subset or expansion of the Barbie trademarks

Wrigley Resolves Trademark Dispute With Cannabis Company Over ‘ZKITTLEZ’

In a recent development, Wrigley, the company known for Skittles, has successfully resolved a trademark dispute with a cannabis firm concerning the name “Zkittlez.” The disagreement stemmed from the similarities between the cannabis strain “Zkittlez” and Wrigley’s popular candy brand. The confectionery company was concerned about potential brand confusion and dilution, prompting them to file a lawsuit against the cannabis company.

While the specific terms of the resolution have not been disclosed, both parties have come to an agreement that is expected to address Wrigley’s concerns adequately.

Nagaland farmers received GI Authorizations

Farmers in Nagaland have received user authorization for two agricultural products, Naga tree tomato and Naga cucumber, allowing them to use Geographical Indication (GI) for these items. By receiving user authorization, farmers can now use the GI symbol and certification on their products. This will provide them with a distinct identity in the market and enable them to command better returns for their produce. The recognition and protection of these agricultural products under the GI system will not only benefit

GlobalFoundries takes IBM to court for sharing IP and trade secrets

GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor manufacturing company, has filed a lawsuit against IBM, alleging the unauthorized sharing of intellectual property (IP) and trade secrets. The legal action claims that IBM unlawfully used GlobalFoundries’ protected technology and confidential information in violation of agreements between the two companies. The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages caused by the alleged IP infringement and demands IBM to cease using the trade secrets. The dispute between these industry giants may have significant implications for the semiconductor sector and intellectual property rights, potentially impacting future collaborations and competition within the tech industry.

17 Music Publishers Sue Twitter for Copyright Infringement

Seventeen music publishers have jointly filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Twitter in the UK. The legal action alleges that the social media platform allowed its users to post copyrighted music without obtaining proper licenses or permissions, resulting in unauthorized distribution and use of copyrighted content. The publishers argue that Twitter’s failure to control such infringement violates their intellectual property rights. The lawsuit seeks compensation for damages and requests Twitter to implement stricter measures to prevent further copyright violations on its platform. This legal battle may have significant implications for social media companies and their responsibilities regarding copyrighted material.

Threads App Launches Amidst Controversy: Twitter Accuses Meta of Copyright Violation

Amidst controversy, the Threads app has been launched, but Twitter has accused Meta, the parent company of Facebook, of copyright violation over its resemblance to Twitter’s Fleets feature. Threads app is developed by Meta and offers disappearing messages similar to Twitter’s Fleets. Twitter claims that Meta copied their design and functionality without permission, leading to allegations of copyright infringement. The dispute between these social media giants raises concerns over intellectual property rights in the tech industry. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for app development and competition among major social media platforms.

Authors sue OpenAI, claiming copyright infringement by ChatGPT

In a significant legal development, a group of authors has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT. The authors claim that ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, has been used to create and disseminate written content without proper attribution or authorization. The lawsuit alleges that this unauthorized usage of their work violates their intellectual property rights. The authors seek compensation for damages and demand OpenAI to implement measures to ensure proper attribution and compliance with copyright laws. This legal battle may have profound implications for AI-generated content and the responsibilities of AI developers in respecting copyright protections

AI Art Will Be Subject to Copyright Infringement in Japan

In Japan, a recent decision by the government’s Council for Cultural Affairs confirms that AI-generated art will be eligible for copyright protection. This means that AI-created artworks will be treated similarly to human-created ones in terms of copyright infringement laws. However, the copyright duration for AI art will be limited to 50 years from the time of its creation or publication, compared to the author’s lifetime plus 50 years for human-created works. The move aims to address the growing importance of AI-generated art while providing legal clarity on copyright ownership and protection in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and creativity.

Apple goes 5G!

Network infrastructure and 5G technology provider Nokia has signed a new long-term patent license agreement with Apple to replace the current deal between the two companies that is set to expire at the end of 2023. “The agreement reflects the strength of Nokia’s patent portfolio, decades-long investments in R&D, and contributions to cellular standards and other technologies,” Nokia Technologies President Jenni Lukander said in a statement. Nokia said its patent portfolio is built on more than 140 billion ($153 billion) invested in research and development since 2000, and is composed of around 20,000 patent families, including over 5,500 patent families declared essential to 5G

Top Indian Exchange KoinBX Secures European Trademark

Crypto exchange KoinBX is extending its global presence by foraying into diverse economies, marking its first step with Europe. It holds a competitive advantage in cultivating a dedicated user base. Currently, the exchange upholds its successful registration under European Union Intellectual Property. Several European countries have implemented licensing and registration regimes for crypto exchanges and virtual asset service providers (VASPs). However, few of them have actively embraced blockchain and crypto to become hubs for innovation.