Lisa P. Ramsey
@lpramsey.bsky.social
University of San Diego Law Professor. I teach IP law and write about potential conflicts between trademark laws and free speech rights. Pop culture and live music fan. www.lisapramsey.com
"Imagine a single company being able to monopolize the market for dolls or figurines identified as the "Virgin Mary" or “Santa Claus” or “Cinderella” or “Uncle Sam,” and the public being unable to object. That is what is at stake here."
Organization for Transformative Works Files Amicus Brief Supporting Grant of Certiorari in RAPUNZEL Standing Case
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/11/orga...
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/11/orga...
November 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"Imagine a single company being able to monopolize the market for dolls or figurines identified as the "Virgin Mary" or “Santa Claus” or “Cinderella” or “Uncle Sam,” and the public being unable to object. That is what is at stake here."
Morgan & Morgan drops 'Steamboat Willie' lawsuit against Disney www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/12/m...
Morgan & Morgan drops ‘Steamboat Willie’ lawsuit against Disney
Morgan & Morgan wanted a judge to declare that its proposed “Steamboat Willie” ad would not violate Disney’s intellectual property rights.
www.orlandosentinel.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Morgan & Morgan drops 'Steamboat Willie' lawsuit against Disney www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/12/m...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
Design law issue-spotter of the day:
Someone has invented a moka pot that looks like it was interrupted mid-twirl www.designboom.com/design/turbo...
turbo moka's helical spiral design reinvents the iconic coffee pot for energy efficiency
www.designboom.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Design law issue-spotter of the day:
"What’s important to note is Palmer’s celebration trademark only concerns the use of his celebration in commercial ventures, such as selling clothing or in an advert. It does not stop other people from mimicking the celebration."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer trademarks signature shivering celebration
Other players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Gareth Bale and Erling Haaland have also had celebration trademarks confirmed.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"What’s important to note is Palmer’s celebration trademark only concerns the use of his celebration in commercial ventures, such as selling clothing or in an advert. It does not stop other people from mimicking the celebration."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
Getty Images v Stability AI: A landmark High Court ruling on AI, copyright, and trade marks
The much-awaited decision in the lawsuit between stock photography giant Getty Images and AI developer Stability AI has now been released, see: Getty Images v Stability AI EWHC 2863 (Ch). I've discussed…
The much-awaited decision in the lawsuit between stock photography giant Getty Images and AI developer Stability AI has now been released, see: Getty Images v Stability AI EWHC 2863 (Ch). I've discussed…
Getty Images v Stability AI: A landmark High Court ruling on AI, copyright, and trade marks
The much-awaited decision in the lawsuit between stock photography giant Getty Images and AI developer Stability AI has now been released, see: Getty Images v Stability AI EWHC 2863 (Ch). I've discussed this case before, but these are the facts as presented by Smith J in her introduction: Getty Images, an image company that licenses high-quality photographs, videos, illustrations and related metadata through various platforms.
www.technollama.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Getty Images v Stability AI: A landmark High Court ruling on AI, copyright, and trade marks
The much-awaited decision in the lawsuit between stock photography giant Getty Images and AI developer Stability AI has now been released, see: Getty Images v Stability AI EWHC 2863 (Ch). I've discussed…
The much-awaited decision in the lawsuit between stock photography giant Getty Images and AI developer Stability AI has now been released, see: Getty Images v Stability AI EWHC 2863 (Ch). I've discussed…
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
Design law at the Federal Circuit: Crocs v. ITC (trade dress) will be argued today. Panel is Lourie, Stoll, Chun (WDWA): www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-ar...
Docket: www.courtlistener.com/docket/68132...
Docket: www.courtlistener.com/docket/68132...
November 6, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Design law at the Federal Circuit: Crocs v. ITC (trade dress) will be argued today. Panel is Lourie, Stoll, Chun (WDWA): www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-ar...
Docket: www.courtlistener.com/docket/68132...
Docket: www.courtlistener.com/docket/68132...
New ruling in Penn State v. Vintage Brand trademark dispute: "Judge upholds verdict in Penn State trademark infringement case but urges an appeal"
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
Judge upholds verdict in Penn State trademark infringement case but urges an appeal
Judge wants to know if his decisions in the complex matter were correct.
www.pennlive.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
New ruling in Penn State v. Vintage Brand trademark dispute: "Judge upholds verdict in Penn State trademark infringement case but urges an appeal"
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
www.pennlive.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
From "milk chocolate" to "chocolate candy": why your favorite candy bar might taste a little different now (gift link)
What’s Missing From Your Favorite Chocolate Bar? It May Be Chocolate.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
From "milk chocolate" to "chocolate candy": why your favorite candy bar might taste a little different now (gift link)
Alston & Bird Sanctioned $10K For LinkedIn Juror Research
www.law360.com/articles/240...
www.law360.com/articles/240...
Alston & Bird Sanctioned $10K For LinkedIn Juror Research - Law360
A California federal judge has sanctioned Alston & Bird LLP $10,000 for conducting juror research on LinkedIn ahead of a trial in which it fended off $174 million in patent infringement claims aga...
www.law360.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Alston & Bird Sanctioned $10K For LinkedIn Juror Research
www.law360.com/articles/240...
www.law360.com/articles/240...
Cameo Sues OpenAI Over Sora Feature With Same Name
www.law360.com/articles/240...
www.law360.com/articles/240...
Cameo Sues OpenAI Over Sora Feature With Same Name - Law360
Cameo, a company that creates personalized celebrity videos, has sued OpenAI over the launch of a feature in its Sora video generator also called Cameo that allows users to create videos with AI versi...
www.law360.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Cameo Sues OpenAI Over Sora Feature With Same Name
www.law360.com/articles/240...
www.law360.com/articles/240...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
A few weeks ago I sat down with Simon Adler at @radiolab.bsky.social and recorded for a few hours about the evolution of speech online and where we are now.
I was honored he turned our chat into a stand-alone episode.
Have a listen.
radiolab.org/podcast/cont...
I was honored he turned our chat into a stand-alone episode.
Have a listen.
radiolab.org/podcast/cont...
Content Warning
The story of how TikTok changed everything you see online.
radiolab.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
A few weeks ago I sat down with Simon Adler at @radiolab.bsky.social and recorded for a few hours about the evolution of speech online and where we are now.
I was honored he turned our chat into a stand-alone episode.
Have a listen.
radiolab.org/podcast/cont...
I was honored he turned our chat into a stand-alone episode.
Have a listen.
radiolab.org/podcast/cont...
If you are interested in the history of AI (with a focus on Google), I highly recommend this podcast by Acquired. It is over four hours long and full of interesting details.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Google: The AI Company
Podcast Episode · Acquired · 10/06/2025 · 4h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:40 PM
If you are interested in the history of AI (with a focus on Google), I highly recommend this podcast by Acquired. It is over four hours long and full of interesting details.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
Just learned about this decision, currently on appeal to the Seventh Circuit. Judge Alonso denied a #ScheduleA defendant's motion for fees in what appears to be a "jurisdiction by shopping cart" situation: www.scribd.com/document/904...
August 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Just learned about this decision, currently on appeal to the Seventh Circuit. Judge Alonso denied a #ScheduleA defendant's motion for fees in what appears to be a "jurisdiction by shopping cart" situation: www.scribd.com/document/904...
'GirlDad' TM Fight Expands To 'GirlMom,' 'BoyDad,' 'BoyMom' - The government should not register or protect trademark rights in such terms for T-shirts and other types of expressive merchandise, as this chills free speech and harms fair competition.
www.law360.com/articles/239...
www.law360.com/articles/239...
'GirlDad' TM Fight Expands To 'GirlMom,' 'BoyDad,' 'BoyMom' - Law360
A trademark battle over the "GirlDad" trademark expanded to the marks "GirlMom," "BoyDad" and "BoyMom" as an apparel company accused a rival of infringing all four in Ohio federal court.
www.law360.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
'GirlDad' TM Fight Expands To 'GirlMom,' 'BoyDad,' 'BoyMom' - The government should not register or protect trademark rights in such terms for T-shirts and other types of expressive merchandise, as this chills free speech and harms fair competition.
www.law360.com/articles/239...
www.law360.com/articles/239...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
I just posted Ipse Dixit #830, featuring John Tehranian of Southwestern Law discussing his new book "The Secret Life of Copyright
Intellectual Property and Inequality in the Age of AI" from @universitypress.cambridge.org. shows.acast.com/ipse-dixit/e...
Intellectual Property and Inequality in the Age of AI" from @universitypress.cambridge.org. shows.acast.com/ipse-dixit/e...
John Tehranian on Copyright & Inequality | Ipse Dixit
shows.acast.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:16 AM
I just posted Ipse Dixit #830, featuring John Tehranian of Southwestern Law discussing his new book "The Secret Life of Copyright
Intellectual Property and Inequality in the Age of AI" from @universitypress.cambridge.org. shows.acast.com/ipse-dixit/e...
Intellectual Property and Inequality in the Age of AI" from @universitypress.cambridge.org. shows.acast.com/ipse-dixit/e...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
Professor Curtin Files Petition for Certiorari in RAPUNZEL Consumer Standing Case
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/10/prof...
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/10/prof...
October 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Professor Curtin Files Petition for Certiorari in RAPUNZEL Consumer Standing Case
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/10/prof...
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/10/prof...
Reposted by Lisa P. Ramsey
Huge thanks to @mikescarcella.bsky.social for linking to the UNCRUSTABLES trade dress complaint here: www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Shall we all take a look?
Shall we all take a look?
My brain is such that I see this an immediately think of @lexlanham.bsky.social.
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Smucker’s sues Trader Joe’s over alleged copycat crustless sandwiches
Jif peanut butter maker J.M. Smucker Company on Monday sued Trader Joe’s in federal court, accusing the national grocery chain of infringing trademarks tied to its popular Uncrustables brand of frozen sandwiches.
www.reuters.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Huge thanks to @mikescarcella.bsky.social for linking to the UNCRUSTABLES trade dress complaint here: www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
Shall we all take a look?
Shall we all take a look?
What Happened When AI Came for Craft Beer
www.404media.co/what-happene...
www.404media.co/what-happene...
What Happened When AI Came for Craft Beer
A prominent beer competition introduced an AI-judging tool without warning. The judges and some members of the wider brewing industry were pissed.
www.404media.co
October 13, 2025 at 3:09 PM
What Happened When AI Came for Craft Beer
www.404media.co/what-happene...
www.404media.co/what-happene...
Takeaways From Ninth Circuit’s Revival Of Trader Joe’s Trademark Infringement Suit Against Independent Union Over Labor-Branded Merchandise
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
Takeaways From Ninth Circuit’s Revival Of Trader Joe’s Trademark Infringement Suit Against Independent Union Over Labor-Branded Merchandise
The Ninth Circuit’s recent resurrection of Trader Joe’s trademark infringement suit over an independent union’s sale of apparel, mugs, tote bags, and…
www.lexology.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Takeaways From Ninth Circuit’s Revival Of Trader Joe’s Trademark Infringement Suit Against Independent Union Over Labor-Branded Merchandise
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
www.lexology.com/library/deta...
"Almost instantly, Sora’s early-access users were spinning up videos made with copyrighted material plucked from pop culture. (We saw more “Rick and Morty” and Pikachu videos than we would have liked.)"
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/t...
OpenAI’s New Video App Is Jaw-Dropping (for Better and Worse)
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM
"Almost instantly, Sora’s early-access users were spinning up videos made with copyrighted material plucked from pop culture. (We saw more “Rick and Morty” and Pikachu videos than we would have liked.)"
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/t...
The USPTO is putting on several free webinars about trademark law as part of its Trademark Basics Boot Camp - the first one is on Tuesday, October 7. Information is at this link:
www.uspto.gov/about-us/eve...
www.uspto.gov/about-us/eve...
Trademark Basics Boot Camp, Module 1: Fundamentals
A must for any new trademark owner. In this module, we’ll cover definitions and types of trademarks, benefits of federal registration, selecting a trademark, filing and registration, and how to find h...
www.uspto.gov
September 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The USPTO is putting on several free webinars about trademark law as part of its Trademark Basics Boot Camp - the first one is on Tuesday, October 7. Information is at this link:
www.uspto.gov/about-us/eve...
www.uspto.gov/about-us/eve...
Trademark folks on BlueSky: Do you think the government should allow this law firm (or anyone else unrelated to Disney) to claim trademark rights in an image from, or short clip of, the public domain Steamboat Willie or the phrase "Steamboat Willie" for goods or services?
Morgan & Morgan Claims Fair Use of Steamboat Willie Cartoon Adaptation in its Advertisement
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/09/morg...
thettablog.blogspot.com/2025/09/morg...
September 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Trademark folks on BlueSky: Do you think the government should allow this law firm (or anyone else unrelated to Disney) to claim trademark rights in an image from, or short clip of, the public domain Steamboat Willie or the phrase "Steamboat Willie" for goods or services?
Morgan & Morgan sues Disney over Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse ad
floridapolitics.com/archives/756...
floridapolitics.com/archives/756...
Morgan & Morgan sues Disney over Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse ad
The law firm sued and asked the court to declare it wasn't violating any intellectual property.
floridapolitics.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Morgan & Morgan sues Disney over Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse ad
floridapolitics.com/archives/756...
floridapolitics.com/archives/756...
Is ‘The Pitt’ Really an ‘ER’ Spinoff? Michael Crichton’s Estate Says It Is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/b...
Is ‘The Pitt’ Really an ‘ER’ Spinoff? Michael Crichton’s Estate Says It Is.
www.nytimes.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Is ‘The Pitt’ Really an ‘ER’ Spinoff? Michael Crichton’s Estate Says It Is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/b...
Neuralink’s Bid to Trademark ‘Telepathy’ and ‘Telekinesis’ Faces Legal Issues
www.wired.com/story/uspto-...
www.wired.com/story/uspto-...
Neuralink’s Bid to Trademark ‘Telepathy’ and ‘Telekinesis’ Faces Legal Issues
The brain implant company cofounded by Elon Musk filed to trademark the product names Telepathy and Telekinesis. But it turns out that another person had already filed to trademark those names.
www.wired.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Neuralink’s Bid to Trademark ‘Telepathy’ and ‘Telekinesis’ Faces Legal Issues
www.wired.com/story/uspto-...
www.wired.com/story/uspto-...