INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & TECHNOLOGY NEWS

NEW DILUTION ACT

On September 25, 2006, the campaign led by the International Trademark Association ("INTA") to enact a new U.S. trademark anti-dilution statute came to fruition, when the United States House of Representatives approved the Senate version of the Trademark Dilution Revision Act (H.R. 683). The bill was signed into law by President Bush on October 6, 2006 and the law became effective immediately.

The Act is designed to protect famous trademarks from uses that blur their distinctiveness or tarnish their reputation. The product of a select committee of experts formed by INTA, the Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2006 is a response to the ruling of the Supreme Court in Moseley v. Victoria's Secret, as well as many splits in the federal circuits relating to the current dilution statute and the protection of famous marks in the United States.

To read more, go to http://www.inta.org/ or http://www.inta.org/images/stories/downloads/trademarkdilutionrevisionact2006.pdf.

YOUTUBE, HOOTERS SHORT-SHORTS, AND THUMBNAILS

Randy Broberg was recently quoted in PC Magazine. Please click here to read the article.

Hooter's Can't Claim Ownership of Short-Shorts – Click here to read the full article written by Randy Broberg and Cheryl Withycombe.

Hand's Off My Thumbnails! – Click here to read the full article written by Randy Broberg and Cheryl Withycombe.

Finally, click here  to hear Randy Broberg's recent interview from the 'I'm There For You Baby' podcast.

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM

Allen Matkins filed more than 100 trademark applications in 2006. As a result, Allen Matkins' trademark practice is now among the top 50 trademark practices in the United States.

Did you know that the chair of our Technology and IP Practice Group, Randy Broberg, registered the color of Never Compromise golf clubs and the sound of the Viper car alarm siren? Click here to read more about Randy.

Did you know that our trademark and copyright associate, Cheryl Withycombe, worked for a law firm in Tokyo, Japan? Click here  to read more about Cheryl.

If you have any questions about any intellectual property or technology issue, please feel free to contact Randy Broberg at 619-235-1566 or Cheryl Withycombe at 619-235-1511.