Month: January 2015

Activision First Amendment Rights Trump Trademark Infringement Claim

Call_of_Duty_GhostsActivision’s Call of Duty video game franchise has been incredibly successful. It is a highly detailed, military style game that attempts to deliver a realistic combat experience by incorporating real weapons and equipment. This realism includes the ability to customize a player’s combat uniform, right down to the patches worn by the combatant. Such extreme realism enhances the player’s experience, but one company claims that Activision’s use of its patch is a little too real and infringes on its trademark registration. But a U.S. District Court in California doesn’t see it this way.

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Under Armour Sues Salt Armour

240px-Under_armour_logo.svgSporting apparel and equipment manufacturer Under Armour, has rapidly grown into a heavy hitter in the athletic gear market.  Started in 1996 by University of Maryland football player, Kevin Plank, out of the back of his car, the company has grown to challenge the likes of Nike and Adidas.  Part of the company’s explosive growth has been due to marketing and branding.  Before hitting the big time, Plank wisely filed a trademark application on Under Armour in 1996, which received a trademark registration in 1999.  Armed with this trademark registration and a desire to protect the brand, Under Armour recently filed a lawsuit against Salt Armour, Inc. for trademark infringement. Continue reading “Under Armour Sues Salt Armour”