By Jessica Nowlan A new definition entered trademark law in Ireland recently when the Irish High Court found well-known European yogurt brand DANONE guilty of engaging in third level branding in Compagnie Gervais Danone -v- Glanbia Foods Society Ltd. The concept of third level branding means the use of a trademark to refer to a [...]

By Amanda B. Agati There is something palpably wrong about the current state of copyright protection for fashion design, or lack thereof.  To illustrate, Steve Madden, a brand notorious for copycatting, sunk to a new low in the Fall of 2007, when its graphic designers stole not only the design, but the actual photograph of [...]

By BG Amazon’s Kindle is the latest in a long line of devices aimed at remaking the most ancient of communication methods – the lowly book. But beneath the convenience of the new Kindle lies unanswered questions about the legal status of the books you buy. As an ‘e-reader’, the Kindle downloads purchased books in [...]

By Karla Hughes Irish ISP Eircom recently settled the case brought against it in the Irish High Court by several major record labels, by agreeing to adopt a “3 strikes and you’re out” policy with regard to illegal downloading. The action against Eircom was brought under § 40 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act, [...]

By Jaazaniah Asahguii Can you watch your favorite National Football League (“NFL”) team play this Sunday?  If your favorite football team happens to play in a different state than where you reside, chances are you will rarely get to see your favorite team play.  If, however, you are fortunate enough to subscribe to a cable [...]

By Mark Nelson There are over 200 million cell phone subscribers in the United States. Each subscriber generates data, including transmissions to cell phone towers detailing the subscriber’s geographic location. Not surprisingly, how and by whom this information is accessed raises privacy concerns. Location-tracking features on cell phones have the potential to invade privacy at [...]

By: Robyn Feldstein It has long been debated whether television is a reflection of society, or if society is influenced by television. No matter which answer is true, it is clear that television and society evolve side by side. Looking at television today, the premises of Gossip Girl or The OC are nothing new. Shows [...]

By: Tom Fawkes “I still find it amusing how Tivo’s lawyers get [angry] when you use their name as a verb. (A couple of years ago, I got a nasty note from them for doing it, and it pretty much happens all the time.) The fear is that the general public will just think of [...]

It’s been a while, but the Fordham IPLJ blog is back in business and there is a lot to look forward to. In addition to the usual bi-weekly member contributed articles, you can look forward to a host of upcoming features including: Daily updates by our dedicated Blog Team Guest bloggers Access to back issues [...]

By: Ruvin Levavi The past couple of years have seen the Cowboy image reinvented numerous times. Clint Eastwood has been pushed aside by the academy award winning Brokeback Mountain. Yet, before Hollywood decided to give the American West a makeover there was Robert Burck. Burck, better known as The Naked Cowboy, has become a staple [...]