Supreme Court Denies Cert in Basketball Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied certiorari in a case involving a basketball manufacturer’s claim of false advertising, brought under § 43 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.S. § 1125. The appeal was made the Federal Circuit for the U.S. Court of Appeals.   The opinion...

Tilting Playing Field: Expanded Protection For Sports Trademarks

By David Bennett   The licensing of logos and names of collegiate sports teams has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry that now brings in more than $3 billion dollars annually to collegiate programs. Owners of professional teams and universities have...

Kansas Sides with KU in Trademark Dispute

A federal judge from the District of Kansas has denied a defendant sports apparel manufacturer’s bid for relief from a verdict favoring the University of Kansas in a trademark dispute.   The court’s decision was based on its firm belief that plaintiff KU...

Permanent Injunction Granted in Heisman Trademark Infringement Case

By Russell Romriell   A district judge in the Southern District of New York has granted a permanent injunction against Smack Apparel Company for breaching a settlement agreement with The Heisman Trophy Trust, and for continuing to infringe the trademarks...

Permanent Injunction Granted in Heisman Trademark Infringement Case

By Russell Romriell   A district judge in the Southern District of New York has granted a permanent injunction against Smack Apparel Company for breaching a settlement agreement with The Heisman Trophy Trust, and for continuing to infringe the trademarks...

Court Dismisses Patent Claim, Citing Ambiguity

There is strength in numbers, especially specific ones.   Ebonite International, Inc. found that out the hard way this summer when a federal judge invalidated its patent for cost-effectively manufacturing and delivering bowling balls that bowlers could test...

Acushnet Wins New Trial in Patent Dispute with Callaway

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has granted a golf equipment manufacturer’s request for a new trial in a patent dispute.   The case pitted Acushnet Company, the golf business of Fortune Brands, Inc., which was seeking the new trial,...