Tis the season for festive T-shirts, ugly sweaters, and mugs that shout things like “Merry & Bright” or “Let’s Get Lit.” But behind some of those playful phrases are very real trademark disputes. In the second post of our December series, we’re looking at holiday slogans, when they can be protected, when they can’t, and […]
Tag: trademark
Rudolph, the Grinch, and IP: Who Owns Our Favorite Holiday Characters?
Every December, familiar faces show up everywhere: Rudolph’s glowing nose, the Grinch’s sly grin, and that ever-watchful Elf on the Shelf. For most of us, they’re just part of the holiday magic. For brand owners and lawyers, they’re also valuable intellectual property. This post kicks off our December series on holiday trademarks, looking first at […]
The Battle Over AI Song Artists: Copyright and Trademark Issues Taking Center Stage
The rise of AI-generated music has sparked one of the most intense legal debates the entertainment and technology industries have faced in decades. What started as quirky “deepfake tracks” created for fun has quickly escalated into a multi-billion-dollar legal battlefield involving record labels, tech companies, individual artists, and regulators. The core question is deceptively simple: […]
Trademark Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs: Why Your Brand Needs Legal Protection
In today’s hyper-connected digital marketplace, your brand is more than just a name—it’s your identity. Entrepreneurs invest countless hours and resources into crafting a brand that resonates with their audience. A strong brand builds trust, fosters loyalty, and sets you apart from competitors. But as markets become saturated and new businesses launch daily, protecting that […]
How the Government Shutdown Is Testing the Courts, and What It Means for Commercial and Intellectual Property Litigation
The federal government shutdown has once again placed the justice system and federal agencies under unusual strain. While the Supreme Court and most federal courts remain technically open, the ongoing funding lapse is beginning to slow critical operations that affect businesses, intellectual property owners, and litigants nationwide. For companies engaged in complex commercial or IP […]
Protecting Your AI Startup From NPE’s
What Is a NPE (Non-Practicing Entity)? A non-practicing entity (NPE)—is a company or individual that acquires patents not to produce goods or innovate, but solely to sue others for infringement or demand licensing fees. These entities often target startups and small companies that lack the resources for lengthy litigation, leveraging legal pressure to force settlements. […]
Trademark Law Case: Brunetti, the USPTO, and the F-Word
The intersection of trademark law and free speech is ever-evolving, and the Brunetti case is a prime example. As a top Dallas IP law firm, Griffith Barbee is following this case, which challenges the boundaries of what can be registered as a trademark. The First Brunetti Case: A Landmark in Trademark Law In the world […]