From: Jeffrey Sussman, Inc.
Marketing Public Relations
249 East 48 Street FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY 10017

For: Offit Kurman

Contact: Jeffrey Sussman
212-421-4475
[email protected]
www.powerpublicity.com

OFFIT KURMAN ATTORNEY, JONATHAN WACHS,

ISSUES IMPORTANT SEPTEMBER UPDATE

ABOUT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Maple Lawn, MD --- Jonathan Wachs, a principal in the mid-Atlantic law firm of Offit Kurman and head of its Intellectual Property Group, has compiled his most recent important IP news from his weekly blog, Friday Factoids. Below are the issues that Mr. Wachs has chosen:
On June 18, 2014, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, an administrative tribunal within the USPTO, ruled that the registered WASHINGTON REDSKINS’ marks were offensive to Native Americans at the time they were registered and therefore they must be canceled. This ruling does NOT require the NFL team in Washington to cease its use of the REDSKINS name, but the team may lose all of the legal nights associated with the registration of these marks. Under law, the USPTO may not register marks that disparage persons or bring them into disrepute. The team plans to appeal this decision.
Sources: http://www.uspto.gov/news/USPTO_Official_Fact_Sheet_on_TTAB_decision_in_Blackhorse_v_Pro_Football_Inc.pdf; http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=92046185&pty=CAN&eno=199
FOR AUGUST 8, 2014:
Tesla Motors recently announced it will allow others to use all of its patented inventions in a open source inspired environment in order to create “a common, rapidly-evolving technology platform” to make, sell and service electric cars. One intended benefit of this new policy is to incentivize other companies to share the costs of building and maintaining an expansive network of electric car charging stations.
Sources: http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/all-our-patent-are-belong-you; http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-06-12/why-elon-musk-just-opened-teslas-patents-to-his-biggest-rivals
FOR AUGUST 15, 2014:
In 2013, the electronic cigarette industry reached nearly $2 billion in sales. Several makers of liquid nicotine used in electronic cigarettes are selling products with flavor names such as “Thin Mint,” “Cinnamon Toast Crunch” and “Tootsie Roll.” Using popular candy names in this way constitutes both trademark infringement and trademark dilution and is also problematic because it encourages children to smoke e-cigarettes. The FDA has proposed regulating electronic cigarettes, but it has not yet banned fruit or candy flavors for e-cigarettes.
Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/sweets-makers-work-keep-names-e-cigarettes-n114376
FOR AUGUST 22, 2014:
When the USPTO intends to register a trademark, it publishes such intent in a public notice. For 30 days after such notice, any person or entity who believes it would be harmed by the proposed registration may file a Notice of Opposition. Duke University recently filed an opposition to challenge applications by John Wayne Enterprises, LLC to register DUKE in connection with alcoholic beverages.
Sources: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/10/john-wayne-and-duke-university-in-dispute-over-duke-bourbon/; http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4805:9v3gum.6.1
FOR AUGUST 29, 2014:
The first modern air conditioning system was developed by Dr. Willis H. Carrier on July 17, 1902. Carrier first developed air conditioning for residences in 1914. 100 years later, air conditioning is now found in more than 85% of U.S. homes.
Source: http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2014/04/14/summers-most-important-invention-air-conditioning/
About Offit Kurman:
Offit Kurman is the fastest-growing, commercial law firm in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It has offices in Baltimore/Washington; Bethesda, Frederick, Maple Lawn, and Owings Mills, Maryland; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Tysons Corner, Virginia; and Wilmington, Delaware. The firm’s website is http://www.offitkurman.com

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