Adidas v ELEAGUE trade mark filing
An opposition has been filed by Adidas against the trade mark application from ELEAGUE, an esports venture from Turner Sports.
ELEAGUE has built up a reputation as one of the most prominent broadcasters in epsports. However, sportswear giant Adidas has taken exception to the ELEAGUE’s “E” logo. Consisting of three lines, Adidas argues that the logo is too similar to their iconic logo.
While Turner Sports filed their application in June last year, it’s took Adidas until 10 October 2017 to file an opposition, on the grounds of confusion and dilution. They say that the ELEAGUE logo could confuse people into thinking Adidas is sponsoring or endorsing events.
Adidas doesn’t actually do business in esports but says that it’s “within the natural zone of expansion of Adidas’s business and goods and services.” Adidas are known for battling their interpretation of trade mark infringement, having engaged in high profile legal wrangling with Abercrombie and Fitch, Kmart and Polo Ralph Lauren over their logo.
Supreme Court refuses to hear Google case
The US Supreme Court has denied a petition that asserts the term ‘google’ has become generic and therefore shouldn’t be able to retain a trade mark.
The lawsuit claimed that the word ‘google’ has become synonymous to most people for ‘searching the Internet’ and should no longer keep its trade mark. This is called genericide and has happened to other brands, including aspirin, videotape, thermos and teleprompter.
Filed by Chris Gillespie who has registered 763 domains that include the word ‘google’. He was challenged by the tech giant and ultimately had to forfeit all of the domains.
For now, Google will retain its trade mark, with a federal appeals court last year ruling that trade mark loss to genericide happens when the name becomes the ‘exclusive descriptor’. As Google isn’t just a search engine, its trade mark should remain valid.
DC Comics V Stacey Lane Holmsley
DC Comics opposed a trade mark registration in June this year by an artist called Stacey Lane Holmsley. She had applied to register under the categories of “Decals, Decorative decals, Magnetic decals, Temporary tattoo transfers” of her badge design that uses the word ‘Jesus’.
Warners-owned DC Comics filed their opposition based on the fact that it’s using the iconic Superman badge design. Often when companies of this size issues challenges, the person on the other side backs down.
This time, lawyers are fighting the case in court, with DC Comics arguing that the registration would ‘cause confusion, cause mistake, or deceive the public into the false belief that the goods offered’ are connected with them.
Bank of America files patent application for blockchain system
Bank of America has filed two patent applications to the US Patent and Trademark Office, detailing a system that combines a blockchain with memory and communication services to simplify data processing.
While current systems need middleware to work, using a blockchain could allow larger amounts of data to be transferred much faster. It would also trade the data using cryptographic keys.
The blockchain would be used to handle the data transfer itself, and the log of the cryptographic keys that keep a running identification of each data packet and where it is in the process.
Ends
SOURCES:
https://dotesports.com/counter-strike/adidas-eleague-trademark-18085
https://www.coindesk.com/bank-america-seeks-patent-protection-blockchain-processing-system/
