Category Archives: Blog

Unauthorized Derivative Work – Rings of Power Lawsuit

In April of 2023, Demetrious Polychron (the plaintiff) filed a lawsuit against Amazon and the Tolkien estate. Mr. Polychron claimed that the Rings of Power tv show took ideas from his fan-fiction book, The Fellowship of the King, which had a copyright back in 2017. This fan-fiction book was a project that Mr. Polychron tookContinue reading “Unauthorized Derivative Work – Rings of Power Lawsuit”

Microsoft and Activision-Blizzard Deal Can Temporarily Proceed

In January 2022, Microsoft announced that it would acquire Activision-Blizzard. Buying such a large company is quite the ordeal. Due to the size of the acquisition several government bodies that govern commerce are reviewing the deal for anti-trust concerns. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) eventually filed a lawsuit in order to block the acquisition, citingContinue reading “Microsoft and Activision-Blizzard Deal Can Temporarily Proceed”

What Is Going on with Wizards of the Coast?

Wizards of the Coast, the publisher of the popular Dungeons & Dragons series (and a subsidiary of Hasbro) has come under scrutiny lately, because of the proposed changes to their Open Games License (or OGL). The OGL is basically a license to use certain mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons and fans can create royalty-free content.Continue reading “What Is Going on with Wizards of the Coast?”

FTC Fines Epic Games $520M Over Children’s Privacy

On Monday, December 19, 2022, the FTC announced that Epic Games will pay a $520 million fine in order to settle allegations of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and collecting children’s personal data without obtaining consent from the parent or guardian. Epic acknowledged the settlement in a statement, saying in part: “NoContinue reading “FTC Fines Epic Games $520M Over Children’s Privacy”

USPTO SHORTENS RESPONSE TIME FOR OFFICE ACTIONS STARTING DECEMBER 3, 2022.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that starting December 3, 2022, trademark applicants will have three (3) months (was six (6) months) to respond to office actions. Note that this rule will apply to office actions that are issued after December 3, 2022. The goal is for the USPTO to shorten theContinue reading “USPTO SHORTENS RESPONSE TIME FOR OFFICE ACTIONS STARTING DECEMBER 3, 2022.”

TAYLOR SWIFT SUED BY POETRY AUTHOR

On August 23, 2022, a complaint was filed by Teresa La Dart against Taylor Swift for copyright infringement. The infringement in question is between Teresa La Dart’s 2010 book titled “Lover” and Taylor Swift’s 2019 album, also titled “Lover.” La Dart asserts that “…a number of creative elements that copied the expressive designs and arrangementsContinue reading “TAYLOR SWIFT SUED BY POETRY AUTHOR”

LeBron James’s Company, Uninterrupted IP LLC, Files for Trademark “Shut Up and Dribble”

According to the USPTO, LeBron James’s company, Uninterrupted IP LLC. filed for the trademark “Shut Up and Dribble” on July 18, 2022. The phrase has been used in quite a negative manner when talking about basketball players. For LeBron James in particular, a FOX news correspondent told him to do so back in 2018 whenContinue reading “LeBron James’s Company, Uninterrupted IP LLC, Files for Trademark “Shut Up and Dribble””

The Strength of Control

I finally (finally) saw Spider-Man, No Way Home! The movie was great! I later figured out the real reason why Peter could not get into the college of his choice – #Contracts! Marvel has a lot of control over their #trademark characters. The screenshot shows what restrictions have been placed on Peter Parker. However, thereContinue reading “The Strength of Control”

Nintendo Defends Copyright – Shuts Down Metroid Fan Project

Nintendo shut down a Metroid fan project in late August. A little more than a month later, the anticipated Metroid Dread will release. Historically, Nintendo has shut down fan projects, and they have every right to defend their intellectual property. But what power does Nintendo actually have? The apparent fan project was a 2D remakeContinue reading “Nintendo Defends Copyright – Shuts Down Metroid Fan Project”