Tag Archives: intellectual property

Copy That!

Headquartered in Singapore, the online fashion retailer Shein has been under legal scrutiny for its apparent knockoff items that look exactly like the creative works produced by known fashion designers. Three US designers have filed a lawsuit, accusing the company of committing copyright infringement at such a remarkably destructive rate that it embodies racketeering. Although the amount of compensatory damages sought has not formally been disclosed to the public, the designers are asking for an injunction to cease the infringement and prevent the business activity from continuing. They claim that Shein is in violation of the RICO Act.

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A Striking Resemblance

The fear that artificial intelligence (AI) may compromise or replace individual creative expression has sparked an ongoing strike on behalf of the Writer’s Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The rise in AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, function to manipulate and reconfigure human writing. In an industry that relies on the development of unique ideas, fresh content, and effective acting for movies and television, such an AI tool presents a possible or likely threat to future earned projects and potential income.

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Authors Subjected to Dispute

Writers turn the page

Authors are weighing in on the lawsuit between publishers and the Internet Archive, which purchases books for digital lending. While certain authors are standing in support of traditional libraries, they are also acknowledging dissimilarities between Internet Library and brick and mortar book lending. Internet Archive, however, has compared its services to that of a library, equipped with limitations of use. Publishers, such as Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers LLC, John Wiley & Sons Inc. and Penguin Random House, have accused the non-profit organization of committing copyright infringement and capitalizing the authors’ market for their e-books. Continue reading →

MLB Team May Strike Out

Baseball name dispute

In light of the upcoming third game of the World Series featuring the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves, a separate MLB baseball team is facing legal trouble. The former Cleveland Indians intend to adopt the Cleveland Guardians moniker in the 2022 season. Following this announcement of the baseball team’s newly adopted name this past July, the Cleveland Guardians roller derby team have alleged trademark infringement. One of the key pieces to the roller derby team’s argument is the perceivably hidden manner in which the trademark rights were obtained, which has contributed to the team’s frustrations and need to file a lawsuit. Continue reading →

Toy Stuntman Lands in Court

Not all fun and games

Fans of the Toy Story movies may recall the character Duke Caboom and his striking resemblance to Evel Knievel. The likeness of Evel Knievel is owned by K&K Productions, the company that is now suing Disney and Pixar, as well as subsidiaries that helped in the production of Toy Story 4. The character, portrayed by the voice of Keanu Reeves, was adapted into the film without prior authorization from the company that owns the branding rights to Knievel, who passed away in 2007. The movie itself is not only mentioned in the lawsuit, but also promotional toys sold in 2019 are included. Continue reading →