Whirlpool tries freezing copycat fridge filters with 40 lawsuits
Whirlpool Corp. has filed 40 lawsuits to protect one replacement part: a $50 refrigerator water filter.
Intellectual Property
Articles
Interactive files federal patent suit against competitor
Indianapolis-based Interactive Intelligence Inc. has filed a federal patent lawsuit against Avaya Inc., a competitor with which Interactive Intelligence also had a long-standing patent license agreement.
Corporate lawyers argue over whether Colbert can be Colbert
After CBS "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert told viewers that lawyers representing his old Comedy Central show said he couldn't be "Stephen Colbert" anymore, he thumbed his nose at them with a transparent dodge.
Judge approves settlement in ‘Happy Birthday’ copyright case
A judge has approved a settlement that will put "Happy Birthday to You" in the public domain.
7th Circuit cuts attorney fees in Indy skyline photo case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the district court did not calculate attorney fees correctly in a dismissed copyright lawsuit and remanded the case so the correct amount could be awarded.
SCOTUS overturns infringement test for treble damages
In a consolidated case involving Indiana’s Zimmer Inc., the U.S. Supreme Court has tossed the standard test used to determine whether damages awarded in a patent infringement case should be tripled.
Congratulations, your genius patent is now a military secret
Just a handful of people find themselves in Jim Geer’s position, forbidden by the government from pursuing ideas laid out in patent applications due to national-security concerns.
Merck’s patent win over Gilead reversed over false testimony
Merck & Co.’s $200 million jury verdict against Gilead Sciences Inc. was voided in a patent dispute over a breakthrough for hepatitis C because of misconduct by a witness at the companies’ trial.
Gilead judge re-opens case amid claim Merck scientist lied
A federal judge re-opened Merck & Co.’s patent case against Gilead Sciences Inc. over a hepatitis C drug amid claims that an ex-Merck scientist lied to a jury that awarded the company $200 million in damages.
Nguyen: Is Circuit jurisdictional battle judicial wisdom or patent envy?
Having legitimate grounds to hear cases involving patent issues comes with a responsibility that regional circuits must address.
Davee: Initial trademark considerations when advising clients
When helping the client form their business, there are several items that should be discussed early on, particularly if the client has any desire to pursue federal trademark registration.
Indiana patent law delaying demand letters
While the passage of House Enrolled Act 1102 has not been met with a lot of noise, it is causing attorneys to think twice before sending a letter asserting patent infringement. Lawyers now have to consider the requirements of patent laws that have bloomed in many states and the potential ramifications of being found in violation.
Bloomington startup cultivates patents for novel way to garden
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on March 29 issued a design patent for the Garden Tower 2, and other patents are pending for an invention that allows up to 50 plants to grow in a compact space that would fit on the most modest apartment patio.
Judge clears ‘Stairway to Heaven’ copyright case for trial
A trial is needed to determine if Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” copies its opening notes from a song performed by the rock band Spirit, a federal judge has ruled.
High court won’t hear appeal in NFL video game lawsuit
The Supreme Court of the United States is staying out of a dispute between game maker Electronic Arts Inc. and former National Football League players who accuse the company of using their likenesses in the popular Madden NFL video game series without approval.
Indiana company brings Jesse Owens to the big screen
An Indiana company that handles intellectual property rights had a big role in telling the story of one of the most influential track athletes of all time through a recently released movie.
High court rejects appeal in Batmobile copyright case
The U.S. Supreme Court is staying out of a copyright dispute involving a California man who produced replicas of the Batmobile for car-collecting fans of the caped crusader.
High court won’t hear appeal over NFL player settlement
The Supreme Court of the United States turned away an appeal from three former NFL players who challenged a $42 million settlement between the league and nearly 25,000 former players over the NFL's use of player images in film footage.
Indiana manufacturer’s ‘willful infringement’ suit set for SCOTUS argument
Indiana medical device maker Zimmer Inc. will be fighting for its wallet Tuesday as part of a patent dispute before the Supreme Court of the United States.