Why trade dress beats design patents
Ron ColemanVia the Diva of Design Law, Sarah Burstein: This is a good example of how trade dress provides broader protection than design patents. Looks like they didn’t even bother asserting…
Gibson continues its IP-based business plan
“You’re gonna have to face it, you’re addicted to law!” Well, that’s what the song always sounded like to me. When you’re a hammer… (and I do try to be…
Gibson argues for brand on the merits
Since the beginning I’ve been blogging about the attempts by Gibson and Fender, the makers of fine guitars, to avoid copycat competition via the trademark and litigation route. My most…
Comments from another blog; or, Did I get chocolate in Marty’s peanut butter?
Via Marty Schwimmer’s Trademark Blog: Marty, you got peanut butter in my chocolate! You’re considering the respective design and layout choices in isolation, seriatim, rather than looking at the whole…
Strumming their fate
Ron ColemanWe blogged a while ago about the Les Paul guitar lawsuit, based on the idea that the shape of the Les Paul guitar was a trademark of Gibson Guitars when…
Reversal Strummed Up in Gibson Guitars Case
The AP reports: NASHVILLE, Tenn. Nashville-based Gibson Guitar Corporation has lost a legal battle. A federal appeals court has ruled that a competitor‘s copy of Gibson’s popular Les Paul model…
Best of 2005: Reversal Strummed Up in Gibson Guitars Case
The AP reports: NASHVILLE, Tenn. Nashville-based Gibson Guitar Corporation has lost a legal battle. A federal appeals court has ruled that a competitor‘s copy of Gibson’s popular Les Paul model…
Trade Dress Rights in Musical Instruments
John Welch’s TTAB Blog — which monitors developments at the Trademark Trials and Appeals Board — picks up this recommended reading from a recent article in the Trademark Reporter journal…