2017 Patent, Copyright & Trademark Legal Updates

Children's Book Authors and Publishers Find Victory in Copyright Infringement Case

September 8, 2017. Fair use held not to serve as a defense for the creation of "derivative" children's books subject to copyright.

Supreme Court Strikes Down "Disparagement Clause" of Federal Trademark Law

June 19, 2017. A 2017 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has found it unconstitutional for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to decline to register a trademark simply because it might be disparaging or offensive.

Supreme Court Strikes Down State Law Banning Sex Offenders From Social Media

June 19, 2017. U.S. Supreme Court unanimously strikes down North Carolina law that prohibited convicted sex offenders from using the Internet to access social networking websites.

Supreme Court Rules That Garment Design Elements Are Copyrightable

May 22, 2017. In Star Athletica, L.L.C. v. Varsity Brands, Inc., the Supreme Court opened the door to greater copyright protection for the fashion industry.