Kelly Hudson - McDaniels IP Solicitors | Intellectual Property Lawyers Newcastle

Is artificial intelligence taking over the music industry?

Developments in artificial intelligence (“AI”) has rapidly increased over the past few years, notably with the introduction of ChatGPT, which is a AI chatbot that allows you to have human-like conversations and much more. Most recently, AI companies have been using music tracks and their data to produce copycat versions of popular songs. This means, […]

Louboutin kicking competitors to the curb

Christian Louboutin has succeeded in recent proceedings against a Brazilian footwear company in the Appellate Court of Sao Paulo for infringement of intellectual property rights. Louboutin issued proceedings against the Brazilian company based on trade dress and copyright infringement over its use of the Louboutin famous red sole. Louboutin do not have registered rights in […]

What would you do?

Last month we reported on the legal battle brewing between the two of the Isley Brothers over the “Isley Brothers” trade mark. Rudolph Isley issued proceedings against his brother and ex band mate, Ronald Isley over the registered trade mark. The brothers are now thought to be negotiating settlement terms and progress of the same […]

That is not F*cking Awesome

The EU Intellectual Property Office (“EUIPO”) has refused to protect F*cking Awesome as a trade mark on the grounds it lacks distinctiveness. FA World Entertainment own three registered trade marks in the United States for the mark F*CKING AWESOME, those marks were filed between 2017 and 2020. An international trade mark designating in the EU […]

Coachella settle "Coachillin" dispute

The Coachella Festival has settled its trade mark dispute with various companies over their use of the brand name “Coachillin”. Last year, Coachella organisers, Goldenvoice, issued proceedings against numerous companies trading under the name “Coachillin” on the grounds of trade mark infringement. This isn’t the first time Goldenvoice have taken measures to protect its intellectual […]

All fire blazing

John Lewis has successfully defended a copyright infringement claim against its 2019 Christmas advert in the UK High Court. The advert in question features ‘Edgar’, a friendly dragon who has difficultly controlling his fire-breathing capabilities. A spin-off children’s book ‘Excitable Edgar’ was subsequently commissioned by John Lewis following the advertisements success. Fay Evans issued the […]

Ocado Victorious in Patent Dispute

British based online supermarket, Ocado, has been victorious in proceedings brought against it in the High Court in London by Norwegian tech firm, AutoStore. AutoStore has sued Ocado across various jurisdictions in an attempt to protect its intellectual property rights, and this particular claim was brought by AutoStore back in 2020 and proceeded to trial […]

Kidd Wes – This is protecting copyright – Part 2

Back in May 2021, we reported on the copyright dispute between Emelike Nwosuocha, known professionally as Kidd Wes, and Childish Gambino. Kidd Wes claimed Gambino’s song “This Is America” copied elements of his own track “Made In America” which he uploaded to SoundCloud in 2016, two years prior to Childish Gambino’s release in 2018. Kidd […]

Red Sox drop the ball on "Boston" trade mark application

Boston Red Sox owner, John Henry, announced on Friday that the Sox intend to withdraw its trade mark application at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) for the mark ‘Boston’. The news comes amid significant pushback from other Boston sports teams and businesses. In a statement published in the Boston Herald, Henry seemingly blamed […]

Battle of the Brothers

Brotherly love seems to be no more in the Isley family as Rudolph Isley has issued proceedings against his brother and former bandmate Ronald Isley over the “Isley Brothers” trade mark. The Isley Brothers were an American family musical group based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The band originally began as a trio back in the 1950’s. […]

Post Malone Settles Copyright Dispute

We reported yesterday on The Weeknd coming to settlement terms for alleged copyright infringement over his song “Call Out My Name”, in a similar fashion, Post Malone has also chosen to avoid a trial and has settled his own copyright suit over his hit song “Circles”. Tyler Armes sued Post Malone, whose real name is […]

More than a Weeknd thing

Singer songwriter, The Weeknd has settled an 18-month copyright infringement claim. The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, was sued by musicians Suniel Fox and Henry Strange back in September 2021. The musicians claimed The Weeknd’s song “Call Out My Name” infringed upon their own song “Vibeking” as it contained “quantitatively and qualitatively […]

+44 (0)191 281 4000

legal@mcdanielslaw.com

Intellectual Property News