Tag Archives: Indiana

University of Missouri Halts Indiana School’s Use of Tiger Logo

06 Wednesday May 2009

Posted by in Trademark

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warsaw

David can’t always afford to fight Goliath.  Warsaw Community Schools (Warsaw, Indiana) recently received a cease and desist letter from the University of Missouri to stop using their tiger logo.

A licensing company determined that it was the same tiger logo as the University of Missouri’s and issued a cease and desist order. picture-21

A few years ago Warsaw re-designed their tiger to modernize it but claim that they didn’t intend to copy Missouri’s.  The logo can be found on Warsaw’s track, trash cans, stationary, staff uniforms, and football uniforms.

Even if the logos aren’t identical, are they confusingly similar?  Any more so than the other 1,000 Tigers athletics programs out there?  Apparently, Warsaw didn’t want to find out and has decided not to challenge Missouri.  Instead, Warsaw will be selecting a new logo…a contest will be held among their students to determine the new logo.  And perhaps a trademark attorney could run a quick clearance search.

Source: WNDU

Kenny Crews to speak on Copyright Law and International Fair Use

04 Wednesday Mar 2009

Posted by in Copyright, Intellectual Property

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Copyright maven Kenny Crews will speak tomorrow at Yale University about his landmark 2008 study for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in which he compares fair use and other copyright limitations/exceptions across some 150 countries.kennycrews

Kenny Crews has a distinguished career in copyright and fair use issues. He is currently the Director of the Copyright Advisory Office at Columbia University.  Until his appointment at Columbia in January 2009, he was a professor at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis and the IU School of Library and Information Science. His work has won wide acclaim, and he has been active in projects and initiatives on copyright law in the United States and around the world. You can read more about his work here.

Th speech is co-hosted by the Yale University Library and the Yale Law School’s Information Society Project.

When: Thursday, March 5, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Sterling Memorial Library Lecture Hall, 128 Wall Street
Cost: Free and open to public

Disclosure – Kenny Crews taught my Intellectual Property & Copyright courses back in law school. Therefore, I’d have to hold him at least partially responsible for my career in intellectual property law.  He’s an enthusiastic and engaging speaker.  I look forward to seeing the results of his study.

Indiana Supreme Court hires Director of Appellate Court Technology

18 Wednesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Tech Developments

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No longer can anyone accuse our Indiana Appellate Courts of not being tech-savvy.  Robert Rath

Today, the Indiana Supreme Court has named Robert Rath as the first-ever Director of Appellate Court Technology.  “Rath will play a crucial role in developing a stronger vision for how the Court utilizes technology.  Rath will review Court processes and identify how changing technology may improve Court functions and services.”

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) recommended Indiana hire an Appellate Court IT Director.  A consultant from the NCSC helped evaluate candidates for the position.  The Supreme Court also formed a selection committee made up of Directors from the Division of State Court Administration, Court of Appeals, Indiana Judicial Center, and Clerk of the Appellate Courts.  The decision to hire Mr. Rath allows Indiana to dedicate one person to developing a strategy for technology improvements.

I look forward to seeing what changes he implements.  Streamlined online filing, trial simulcasts, enhanced public access for educational purposes…these are some of the ideas on my wishlist.

Click here for the full press release.

Hat tip to the Indiana Law Blog for the story.

Indiana medical device maker uses patent portfolio to secure $1.73 million in funding

10 Tuesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Patent, Tech Developments

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NicoIndianapolis-based start-up medical device maker NICO Corporation announced yesterday that despite declining economic conditions and a sluggish stock market, the company raised $1.73 million in its Series B round of funding.  NICO is a privately-held medical device company holding exclusive worldwide patent rights to the newest minimally invasive neuro and spinal tumor removal tool, the Myriad.  Click here for full story.

It’s just a press release, but at least it’s some positive news in this rough economy.  It’s also a good reminder of the importance of patent acquisition and management for small businesses.  Investors often perceive patent portfolios as a demonstration of the high level of expertise, specialization and technological capacity within a business.

Horseshoe Casino prevails in trademark suit in Southern District

07 Saturday Feb 2009

Posted by in Litigation, Trademark

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The Indiana Law Blog has a post up on a trademark decision in the Southern District of Indiana.  Click here for their full analysis.

“A federal judge has ruled that a New Albany strip club’s use of the name II Horseshoes and a golden horseshoe logo amounts to trademark infringement on nearby Horseshoe Casino.

U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker signed a consent judgment and issued a permanent injunction this week ordering John Mattingly, the owner of II Horseshoes Gentleman’s Club on Old River Road, to stop any use of the Horseshoe name or its trademarked golden horseshoe.

The court also ordered Mattingly to remove the image from any advertising and promotional material, including signs, banners, cocktail napkins, clothing, business cards and receipts.”

Horseshoe Application

The Horseshoe Casino/Hotel trademarks (Reg. Nos. 1839688, 2370824; App. No.  77/657,333) are owned and managed by Harrah’s License Company.

For those not familiar with Indiana gaming law, apparently casinos can’t be on dry land, hence the silliness (pictured below) of putting the casino in a puddle of water and calling it a riverboat.

The Horseshoe Casino, by the way, is hosting a satellite tournament on Feb. 29 that could earn you a seat at the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.  Good luck!

Horseshoe Casino