Copyright cases aren’t usually a lotta laughs, but then, they aren’t usually about this: https://www.youtube.com/embed/kTcRRaXV-fg The heirs of Bud Abbot and Lou Costello claim to own the copyright in their famous “Who’s on First?” bit. They undoubtedly own the copyright on two filmed versions of the skit, because Universal…
Idaho Law Blog
Trademark of the Day
“If you want to motivate people, don’t talk about death!” So said Rocky the Rhode Island Red in the movie Chicken Run, which these guys apparently missed: This is another Madrid Protocol US registration issued to Frozenbyte, Inc., of Helsinki, Finland. Those Finns must be a fun bunch… What do…
Of rock bands, football teams, and disparaging trademarks
It’s usually interesting when a trademark case makes the news, and the court decision released on Tuesday this week is no exception. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that a provision of the U.S. trademark statute (known as the Lanham Act) is unconstitutional. Specifically, the…
Are you watching your trademarks? More important, are you watching new domain name registrations for your trademarks?
It is generally a good idea to watch for infringing uses of your trademarks, and respond when you find them. Failure to police infringing uses can result in your mark losing its ability to distinguish between providers. In the extreme case, it can become a generic term — that’s what…
Retraining Benefits?
By Fred J. Lewis Yes there is help! Often when someone is injured in an Idaho work related accident they lose earning capacity where that is due to restrictions, age, or impairment. Retraining services are available when ordered by the Industrial Commission or approved by the insurance company.…
Copyright Office approves car hacking
For years, the auto industry has used copyright law and anti-hacking provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 to stop hotrodders from hacking into the software that controls modern cars. That is about to change, thanks to exemptions from the DMCA which were approved last week by the…
Settlement with Recovery
John Goodell and Dan Green last week concluded settlement with recovery of $25,000 for “Client,” a large international engineering and construction firm and original contractor, and which provided extensive engineering management and procurement services, at a substantial but acceptable discount, arising from long running state court mechanic’s lien complex litigation,…
I was on workers’ compensation benefits and my employer terminated me, now what?
By Fred J. Lewis Always try to protect your job first by making a request for unpaid time off under the Family Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) even when you are on workers’ compensation benefits if it is legally available to you and your employer is bound by the FMLA. You…
Trademark of the Day — December 8, 2015
Pure coincidence, I’m sure: Both of these marks appeared in last week’s Gazette. I’d like to see their stores sitting next door to each other in a mall in Colorado. (Smoke It All: International Class 1 for chemicals for smoking food; I.C. 4 for wood dust for smoking food; I.C.…
Settlement for Client
John Goodell has made a settlement for “Client” in total amount of $65,000 (on total account debt of $71,000 P+I), with $50,000 initial payment to be paid by cashier’s check sent via overnight mail today for receipt tomorrow, and three additional $5000 installments due 1/1/16, 2/1/16, and 3/1/16, in account…