IPilogue

MARCH 27, 2023

Every year on January 1, works protected under copyright law enter into the public domain due to their copyright protection expiring. Although the original Mickey Mouse’s copyright protection will expire at the end of 2023, Disney will still be able to protect the Mickey Mouse brand through trademark law.

Public Domain 105

Public Domain Copyright Law Copyright Registering Trademarks 105

IPilogue

MARCH 27, 2023

Every year on January 1, works protected under copyright law enter into the public domain due to their copyright protection expiring. Although the original Mickey Mouse’s copyright protection will expire at the end of 2023, Disney will still be able to protect the Mickey Mouse brand through trademark law.

Public Domain 40

Public Domain Copyright Law Copyright Registering Trademarks 40

43(B)log

FEBRUARY 19, 2022

Sometimes there are brand partnerships—Nike and Ben & Jerry’s—but sometimes aftermarket customization adds more brands, like Nikes customized w/Amazon Prime logos. And sometimes brands do unauthorized customizations—McDonald’s customized a PS4 with painted McD fries. Will people assume co-branding? Why are we here?

Trademark Law 72

Trademark Law Trademark Art Branding 72

LexBlog IP

FEBRUARY 14, 2023

A company can use a unique typeface to convey pretty much anything on any of its products, its advertising, its website, and any other place a company would publicly use the written word. Namely, anything protected by a design patent will enter the public domain generally 15 years after the patent office issued the design patent.

Design Patent 52

Design Patent Designs Design Patent 52