Brands Copying Fair Use Trademark Law 
Traverse Legal Blog
OCTOBER 20, 2022
Owners of NFTs linked to copyright protected works, whether buying or selling, need to be aware of both copyright and trademark law. But can you use the words “Bored Ape” when that brand is registered as a trademark by the project owner Yuga Labs? Can I copy and use a digital asset linked to an NFT?
Patently-O
JULY 19, 2023
Unlike patent and copyright, trademarks and trade secrets continue to be concurrent and overlapping, meaning that state rights continue to exist and be enforceable alongside the federal right. With trademark law, the federal right has been around since 1870 and today occupies most of the space.
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Plagiarism Today
OCTOBER 26, 2021
To answer that and other questions about Halloween costumes, we have to step back and look at how copyright and trademark law apply to costumes. This means, theoretically, that elements such as the Superman “S” can be protected by copyright because they are separate elements that are merely copied onto the clothing. Bottom Line.
43(B)log
JUNE 24, 2022
Does the ornamentality doctrine have doctrinal purchase elsewhere in trademark law? In the fair use calculus? In what ways is the ornamental nature of a defendant’s use relevant to defences based on artistic or expressive use (or some other defence)? But there is a defense for nondistinctive use.
Technology & Marketing Law Blog
DECEMBER 11, 2023
MSCHF has frequently targeted major brands. Following the Jack Daniel’s decision, to resolve whether the Rogers test applies, the Second Circuit had to determine if MSCHF used Vans’ marks as a mark for its own goods. Unlike the defendant in Jack Daniel’s , MSCHF, at least amongst its relevant consumers, has a valuable brand.
IPilogue
OCTOBER 28, 2021
In general, any clothing, including costumes, is not protected by copyright laws. In Canada, under section 64(2) of the Copyright Act , it is not an infringement of copyright to reproduce the design of a “useful article”, so long as more than 50 copies are made. Supreme Court case, Star Athletica, LLC v Varsity Brands, Inc.
43(B)log
JUNE 24, 2022
Ornamental use may help to maintain rights even if core uses cease. Can it be used in different ways in TM as a thumb on the scale rather than a binary? 2d Cir in Descriptive fair use—how “pure” is the descriptive character of the use? Could we do something similar in ornamentality?
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