Trademarks, Music Industry

Taylor Swift’s Trademark Era: How The Life of a Showgirl Reinforces Her IP Empire

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on 8/26/2025

Taylor Swift isn’t just a pop icon—she’s a master of intellectual property strategy. With the announcement of her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, Swift once again demonstrated how to blend creative storytelling...more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - August 2025 #2

Kaufman & Canoles on 8/12/2025

The Denver Broncos told a Colorado state court Friday that a now-defunct coffee company illegally used the team’s intellectual property to sell products even though it owed the team over $1.5 million....more

Is My Guitar Pedal a Klone or a Counterfeit? — No Infringement Intended Podcast

Troutman Pepper Locke on 8/12/2025

In this episode, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close venture into the dynamic world of guitar pedals, focusing on the iconic Klon Centaur and its creator's legal showdown with Behringer's Centaur Overdrive. While many Klon...more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - August 2025

Kaufman & Canoles on 8/7/2025

Drag queen Vicky Vox failed to revive her lawsuit accusing Netflix and several creators of an animated series of using her likeness without permission....more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - July 2025 #3

Kaufman & Canoles on 7/15/2025

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Monday threatened the state of California with legal action after the state refused to ban transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports as demanded by President Donald...more

Turn the Trademarks Off: The Trademarks of Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Beyonce

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on 6/4/2025

On May 9, 2025, I sat in a crowded football stadium for the sold-out second night of the Grand National Tour concert featuring Kendrick Lamar and SZA (the stage name of Solána Rowe). As I listened to those iconic artists...more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - May 2025 #4

Kaufman & Canoles on 5/28/2025

The former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has pushed back against efforts to force him to hand over documents relating to his alleged sexual misconduct and hush money payments in a class action over the company’s...more

When Surfboards and Superstars Collide: How to Avoid a Wipeout [or Mayhem]

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. on 5/22/2025

Pop icon Lady Gaga is no stranger to making waves, but a new lawsuit initiated by California-based surfboard company Lost International (aka Lost Surfboards), shows that even superstars can find themselves navigating choppy...more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - May 2025 #3

Kaufman & Canoles on 5/20/2025

French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu was convicted of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in Paris in 2021 and handed an 18-month suspended sentence....more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - March 2025 #3

Kaufman & Canoles on 3/18/2025

Former University of Michigan football players are fighting to keep a proposed class action seeking $50 million in compensation for their names, images and likenesses in Michigan federal court and fend off what they called...more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - March 2025

Kaufman & Canoles on 3/4/2025

The Trump administration’s challenge of Maine’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports will provide an unusual test of a federal anti-discrimination law and could take years to resolve....more

… Ready for It? A Lesson on Intent-to-Use Trademark Filings Inspired by Taylor Swift

Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP on 2/13/2025

Taylor Swift’s upcoming trademark deadline has sparked speculation that she is gearing up to release Reputation (Taylor’s Version). In February 2021, Swift’s legal team filed an intent-to-use (ITU) trademark application for...more

The Pitch - January 2025

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP on 2/3/2025

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

COGNAC, Hip Hop and Fame: A Trademark Showdown with a Twist

Holland & Knight LLP on 1/31/2025

You might be wondering what cognac, hip-hop and fame have in common. The answer, at least in a recent opinion by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, is certification trademarks. We have written in the past...more

New Year, New Public Domain Works: Copyright Public Domain Day 2025

Fox Rothschild LLP on 1/17/2025

Every year, the world celebrates the first of January as Public Domain Day, marking the release of copyrighted works into the public domain. In 2024, we saw popular intellectual properties enter the public domain, including...more

What’s in a (Band) Name? Why Bands Need Trademark Registrations

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on 12/13/2024

We’ve moved into winter and that means many bands and artists are taking a breather after summer and fall tours. Some seemed to go on for eras. For me, that means waiting a few months to catch some favorite acts. But I’ve got...more

Dispute Over the Smiths Trademark: "Is It Really So Strange?"

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP on 9/17/2024

When a renowned band like The Smiths breaks up, the fate of their trademark can become a contentious issue. Recently the former Smiths frontman, Morrisey, reported that guitarist, Johnny Marr had applied to register The...more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - July 2024 #4

Kaufman & Canoles on 7/24/2024

The breach of contract trial against a woman claiming to be Jerry Jones’ daughter is scheduled to start next Monday, and the Cowboys owner is expected to testify on the witness stand....more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - July 2024 #3

Kaufman & Canoles on 7/16/2024

Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. and a man who claims he suffered permanent eye damage because of a defective golf practice net bought from the company are asking a Georgia federal judge to keep his litigation on hold while they...more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - July 2024 #2

Kaufman & Canoles on 7/9/2024

The legislature of New York’s Nassau County passed a law on Monday to ban women’s and girls’ sports teams from using sports facilities in the county on Long Island unless they exclude transgender girls and women from playing....more

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - June 2024 #3

Kaufman & Canoles on 6/19/2024

The U.S. Twirling Association and a coach must pay nearly $4.2 million to a baton twirler who was sexually assaulted as a minor during a sponsored international trip, a New York federal jury has found, saying the organization...more

The Pitch - May 2024

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP on 5/31/2024

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

What’s Trending in Trademarks, May 2024: Taylor Swift Fans Analyze Latest Trademark Filing; San Francisco Sues Over San Francisco...

Erise IP on 5/21/2024

Every month, Erise’s trademark attorneys review the latest developments at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, in the courts, and across the corporate world to bring you the stories that you should know about: Taylor...more

The Briefing: Brandy Melville Doubles Down Against Redbubble

Weintraub Tobin on 5/10/2024

Brandy Melville Doubles Down Against Redbubble The ongoing dispute between Brandy Melville and Redbubble over trademark and copyright infringement continues. Despite previous setbacks, Brandy Melville has filed a new lawsuit...more

The Legal Dance Off Over the “MJ” Trademark

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on 5/10/2024

Before we start the show, the casts of characters may drive you Off the Wall, so here’s a little primer to help you: Triumph International, Inc. (“Triumph”) is a merchandise licensing company for the estate of Michael...more

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