NFL to allow Super Bowl in Churches?

25 Monday Jan 2010

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Just for Fun, Trademark

The last time Peyton Manning was leading the Indianapolis Colts on a championship run, the NFL clamped down on the ability to watch the big game in churches. The NFL sent letters to churches informing them that airing the game would be a violation of the NFL’s copyright and trademark rights. However, last year the NFL called a reverse and allowed viewing in churches under certain conditions.

So what’s the NFL’s policy this year? Unless we hear otherwise, we have to assume that the NFL is sticking to last year’s policy that churches can air the Super Bowl without violating copyright laws. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear something that would suggest otherwise.

So start planning those parties…Go Colts!

Northwest Indiana SBDC hosting Intellectual Property Workshops

21 Thursday Jan 2010

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Patent, Trademark

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The Hammond INnovation Center, 5209 Hohman Ave., is hosting a new workshop series for small business owners. The Smart Start Workshop is an early morning workshop, held in partnership with the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, that helps entrepreneurs get a head start on their business.

The workshops will begin with the two-part series, “Jump-Start Your Business with Intellectual Property,” presented by Cook Alex Intellectual Property Law.

Thursday, January 21 – Copyright and Trademark for Small Business: Learn about how these aspects of intellectual property law apply to your business, what is and is not covered both locally and internationally and the best ways to protect your intellectual property.

Feb: 18 – Patents for Beginners: This dedicated workshop will cover what you need to file a patent, when to move on a patent, how patents protect your invention and where to get help.

Cost is $20 per session. The workshops start at 7:30 a.m. and a breakfast will be included. Reservations and payment are required by 3 p.m. the previous day. To reserve a spot, call (219) 750-1200 or e-mail innovate@calumet.purdue.edu. Reservations can also be made online by visiting www.nwisbdc.org, clicking on calendars, workshop, the event and following the link.

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Situs Inc. v. Situs Realty

21 Thursday Jan 2010

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Trademark

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Indianapolis — Texas-based Situs Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit in Indianapolis claiming Situs Realty in Greenwood is infringing on the name the two real estate companies share. Talks have failed to find a settlement to their joint claims to the name.

The Houston-based company claims to have used the Situs name for 25 years.

However, Keith Stark, president of the Greenwood company, said he applied for and received a federal trademark on the Situs name in 2007 and that the Texas company failed to object at that time.

Situs trademark abstract:

More to come.

Source: Indy Star

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Vision Center Northwest, Inc. v. Vision Value

12 Thursday Nov 2009

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Trademark

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Vision Center Northwest, Inc. v. Vision Value
No: 3:07-CV-183 RM (November 3, 2009)
U.S. District Court, N.D. of Indiana
Before: Miller

TRADEMARK; ABANDONMENT (Where a trademark owner’s only use of a mark for ten years was in a white pages listing, that mark is deemed abandoned.)

Opinion (Miller): Plaintiff operated a vision business under the name Value Visions by Dr. Tavel, until 1996, when plaintiff changed its name to Dr. Tavel. Defendant changed its name to Vision Value in 2007, and Plaintiff promptly sued for trademark infringement. The parties both moved for summary judgment. Defendant contended that Plaintiff abandoned the Value Visions mark as a result of more than ten years of nonuse. Plaintiff contended that it used the mark in the white pages during the entire ten year period. The court held that Plaintiff’s white pages listing was not bona fide use, and that Plaintiff brought forth no other evidence to show use or intent to use. Accordingly, the court held that Plaintiff had abandoned the mark and granted summary judgment for Defendant.

Source: Willamette Law Online [Summarized by Anthony Halderman]

For full opinion:
2009 U.S.Dist.LEXIS 103680
2009 WL 3669647