On December 16, 2016, the International Trademark Association (“INTA”) filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Simon Tam, founder of the Slants. Lee v. Tam, No. 15-1293, Br. Of Amicus Curiae Int’l Trademark Assoc.
December 2016
Update: 2d Circuit denies split in Church & Dwight and Apotex rulings
On December 2, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied rehearing by the Panel and rehearing en banc. On December 5, 2016, the Court withdrew its previous opinion, which was to have been published…
Commissioner settles “Made in Canada” misleading advertising dispute
Canadian sportswear maker Moose International Inc. announced on December 6, 2016, that it had resolved its dispute with Canada’s Commissioner of Competition (Commissioner) over the accuracy of its claims that certain of its high-end parkas were made in Canada.…
Don’t be a Turkey! – Lessons learnt for trade mark owners as the Wild case concludes
A recent High Court of Australia (HCA) decision has marked the finale of the dispute between Lodestar Anstalt (Wild Geese Whiskey) and Campari America LLC (Wild Turkey Bourbon), with the HCA refusing to grant Wild Turkey Bourbon leave to appeal…
Denial of CDA immunity defense not immediately appealable
On November 1, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled that the Communications Decency Act (CDA) provides immunity from liability, not from suit, precluding interlocutory appellate jurisdiction under the collateral order doctrine. General Steel Domestic Sales…
Package as “Advertising”
On October 17, 2016, a US federal trial court in the District of Columbia ruled that a competitor may pursue a Lanham Act claim for false advertising due to a container of black pepper. Watkins Inc. v. McCormick & Co.…
Canadian pizza battle goes to trademark registrant
The value of reliance on a trade-mark registration, as opposed to prior use, stands out sharply in the recent Federal Court of Appeal of Canada case Pizzaiolo Restaurants Inc. v. Les Restaurants La Pizzaiolle Inc. ( 2016 FCA 256 October…