Don't let the June 30th deadline sneak up on you! Ensure you meet your MCLE requirements with our all-day CLE event. This year’s Last Chance CLE offers a diverse array of engaging sessions covering key topics and recent legal...more
Most major universities have developed extremely lucrative business empires by exploiting the use of their trademarks and trade dress on apparel and merchandise, among other things. They have done so on the theory that the...more
On November 19th, after over three (3) years of litigation, a jury in Williamsport, Pennsylvania finally found Vintage Brand, LLC (“Vintage”) and two other defendants liable for trademark infringement for selling counterfeit...more
A Pennsylvania federal jury ruled in favor of Pennsylvania State University, finding that Vintage Brand, an online retailer, willfully infringed on the university's trademarks. The decision marks a significant win for...more
On November 19, 2024, a jury found that online retailer Vintage Brand LLC and its manufacturer Sportswear Inc. infringed the Pennsylvania State University's ("Penn State") trademarks in connection with the sale of merchandise...more
A jury determined Tuesday, November 20, that Vintage Brands willfully violated Penn State University's trademarks by selling merchandise featuring vintage Penn State logos. The jury also rejected Vintage Brands’ affirmative...more
In the realm of sports merchandising, licensing is a significant revenue source for college and professional sports teams. Typically, sports teams do not directly produce sports merchandise; instead, they engage in exclusive...more
Collegiate merchandise licensing is a thriving and lucrative business generated by the immense popularity and widespread support for college sports teams and institutions. Universities and colleges have devoted fan bases...more
The Pitch newsletter is a monthly update of legal issues and news affecting or related to the music, film and television, fine arts, media, professional athletics, eSports, and gaming industries. The Pitch features a diverse...more
We previously wrote about a series of trademark lawsuits filed by NBA MVP and now NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo over the use of his nickname “Greek Freak”. Those lawsuits all contained similar allegations: that the...more
On December 28, 2018, Nirvana LLC filed a lawsuit against designer Marc Jacobs in the Central District of California, alleging copyright and trademark infringement. Nirvana LLC is the legal entity which controls the band...more
Jay-Z does not want to be in the spotlight- at least not the spotlight of a New York federal judge. This past April, the hip-hop tycoon and Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment company, were sued by Iconix Brand Group, Inc....more
When used effectively, brand and merchandise licensing can increase the value of a brand by extending it into new, relevant product categories and by further monetizing brand equity. And when seeking to protect a brand in...more