With Weight Loss Drugs in High Demand, Trademark Litigation Targets Counterfeits
Novo Nordisk and Lilly, two pharmaceutical giants behind the blockbuster diabetes and obesity drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound (Ozempic, et al.), currently find themselves embroiled in legal battles with wellness centers, medical spas, and compounding pharmacies. Both companies are taking action to protect their trademarks and intellectual property. Despite being separate companies, the key trademark-related legal concerns they face have significant overlap.
Cybersquatting and Large Corporations
There has been recent legal action on behalf of Adidas, as a company not in possession of the Adidas trademark created a domain using the Adidas name and was selling counterfeit Adidas goods. Creating and using a domain name with false intent with a trademark that is owned by another is known as cybersquatting, which is what was being done with the Adidas trademark in this case. Cybersquatting claims have also been made by the company behind the online retailer Temu.
Steamboat Willie Enters Public Domain
On January 1, 2024, Steamboat Willie from Walt Disney Animation Studios entered the public domain. Disney successfully extended copyright through lobbying, but recent laws led to its expiration. Horror adaptations of Steamboat Willie are planned. Despite concerns, Disney's brand and trademark protections likely shield it from significant harm.
<em> Naterra Int’l, Inc. v. Bensalem </em>
The Federal Circuit vacated the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s denial of Naterra’s cancellation petition because the Board erred in their decisions regarding the first and third DuPont factors.
The Rx for Counterfeit Drugs: Protecting Pharma’s Patents and Trademarks
Gilead Sciences Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceuticals have accused Safe Chain Solutions of distributing counterfeit HIV medications. Safe Chain's unauthorized use of trademarks not only poses major public health risks, it also undermines pharmaceutical brands' integrity, emphasizing the need to protect intellectual property and trademarks in the healthcare industry.
No Redemption for This Whiskey Bottle
Diageo, brand owner of Bulleit bourbon, recently defended its victory against W.J. Deutsch & Sons, owner of Redemption whiskey. The lawsuit claimed that the round shouldered “canteen-style” bottle utilized by Redemption was similar to the designed used by Diageo.
<em>Great Concepts, LLC v. Chutter, Inc.</em>
In Great Concepts, LLC v. Chutter, Inc., Chutter challenged the validity of Great Concept’s mark, claiming “DANTANNA’S” confuses their mark “DAN TANA,” challenging incontestability, and arguing that “DANTANN’S” was obtained by a false affidavit, so Great Concept’s mark is therefore fraudulent.
<em>Galperti, Inc. v. Galperti S.r.l.</em>
The Federal Circuit vacated the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s dismissal of Galperti Inc.’s fraud charge against Galperti S.r.l., because Galperti Inc. did not need to establish secondary meaning or privity in demonstrating their competitors’ claim’s falsity.
<em>Actelion Pharms. LTD v. Mylan Pharms. Inc.</em>
The Federal Circuit Court issued a precedential decision vacating the District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia’s claim construction order and remanded the case to consider extrinsic evidence and its impact on claim construction.
Bolstering Brand Association: Preventing Loss of Trademarks to Genericization
One major concern with successful trademark use, especially in the social media age, is that trademark protections will diminish due to genericization, which is common usage of a mark by the public that is unassociated with the brand. By taking protective measures, including early trademark enforcement and carefully-worded advertising, companies can mitigate and manage risk associated with trademark genericization.
It’s Barbie’s World. Burberry’s Just Living in It.
Burberry and Mattel, maker of Barbie, recently settled a U.S. trademark dispute arising from Burberry’s application for registration of the mark “BRBY”, as Mattel withdraws its Opposition Notice and Burberry’s abandons its registration application.
Crossroads Between Free Speech and Trademarks
Over the summer, the Supreme Court announced it will take up a trademark case to determine whether the application of Section 2(c) of the Lanham Act to political figures is violative of the First Amendment.
<em>Cosmic Crusaders LLC v. Andrusiek</em>
The Federal Circuit Court ruled in favor of affirming the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in their decision that Andrusiek had sufficient prior use of the same mark that Cosmic Crusaders had registered, thus cancelling Cosmic Crusaders’ registration
<em>Bad Elf, LLC v. Flex Ltd.</em>
The Federal Circuit determined that the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) erred in its likelihood of confusion analysis and remanded a case to reconsider its application of the conceptual and commercial strength DuPont Factor in light of Spireon.
VR Legal Developments Shot Down a Peg After EUIPO Trademark Denial
Virtual reality (VR) developments over the past few years have sparked legal wonder, with many questions still lingering. How does the law apply in virtual communities? The European Union Intellectual Property Office’s recent decision sheds some light on the legal criteria of trademarks in VR.
Dunkin’ v. Vapin
Dunkin filed a suit against an e-cigarette company’ for infringing Dunkin’s trademark. Dunkin’ asserts that the e-cigarette company “Vapin” essentially took Dunkin’s style and color from their trademark and replaced the word “Dunkin’” to “Vapin.” This case has the potential to help show a clear case of what the likelihood of confusion analysis of trademark infringement looks like.
The Queens of Christmas: Elizabeth Chan, Darlene Love, and Mariah Carey
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” hitting the airwaves again, but the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board decided Mariah Carey cannot have the trademark “Queen of Christmas.”
Can Consumer Products be Expressive Works?
Exploring the Ninth Circuit’s unprecedented broadening of the Rogers test as a heightened standard for determining trademark infringement of expressive works and the potential implications of Supreme Court review of VIP Products LLC v. Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc. in March 2023.