‘Initial Interest Confusion’ Is More of a Vibe Than a Credible Legal Doctrine–Penn State v. Vintage Brand
(click for the animation) This is a merchandise “counterfeiting” case. In a prior ruling in this case, a “jury determined that Defendants had willfully violated Penn State’s trademark and awarded…
Colorado’s Mandatory Social Media “Warning Labels” Are Unconstitutional–NetChoice v. Weiser
[I’m so far behind in blogging the challenges to state Internet censorship laws. We’ll see if I can catch some of the ones I missed.] State censorship laws come in…
Addiction Lawsuit Against TikTok Can Proceed in Nevada–TikTok v. Nevada District Court
All eyes are on the social media addiction class action lawsuits in California federal and state courts, where the plaintiffs are getting close to conducting trials that pose existential implications…
Court Dismisses Discrimination Claims from Facebook User Who Didn’t Get Wanted (?) Ads–Shah v. Woodbury
Created using ChatGPT Nov. 9, 2025 Shah alleges that “Woodbury and Facebook denied Shah, based on his age and gender, access to information about Woodbury’s educational services by choosing to…
Using a Meme in Your Advertising? Clear the Publicity Rights–FJerry v. Oasis Energy
This case involves a photo from the “Dude With Sign” meme series, featuring Seth Phillips in the titular role: An advertiser, Oasis Energy, modified the meme to promote its offerings…
Another Facebook Account Termination, Another Failed Lawsuit–Karam v. Meta
This is a pro se case. The court summarizes: “Meta purportedly banned or restricted [Karam’s] Facebook account, which allegedly prevented him from advertising his business or from engaging with potential…
Copyright Claims Over Content Syndication Sniping Can Proceed–Next Impulse v. NewsBreak
Comeback Media operates several media properties, including a sports site named “Next Impulse.” It publishes new articles and syndicates them to other websites, including Newsbreak. The syndication was a “non-contractual…
SAD Scheme Cases Are a Cesspool of IP Owner Overreaches–Nike v. Quanzhou Yiyi Shoe Industry
As part of their overall proclivity towards rights accretion, IP owners routinely stretch legal doctrines and request overreaching remedies. When IP owners proceed in court without opposition, they sometimes get…
Copyright Takedown Notices May Be Affecting Your Washing Machine Options–Ningbo Yituo v. GoPlus
The litigants are rival washing machine makers–GoPlus and Ningbo Yituo–who source their products from the same OEM, Ningbo Baike Electric Appliance. As a result, “the body patterns of Plaintiffs’ and…
Section 230 Applies to Scammy Ads–Glazer v. Facebook
The plaintiff is octogenarian Barry Glazer, an attorney who has a fascinating history of running TV ads and who sells merch at his website that includes his tagline “Don’t urinate…