Patent Law

Group of GCs, Wilson Sonsini launch new legal tech venture capital fund

A group of general counsels and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati have joined forces to launch a new venture capital fund dedicated to investing in legal technology startups.

Sep 9, 2026 12:16 PM CDT

Less ‘Mayhem’ for Lady Gaga as judge dismisses infringement lawsuit

Lady Gaga’s 2025 Mayhem album did not infringe on the trademarks of a surf company’s brand, according to California federal judge who granted the entertainer’s bid to throw out the lawsuit, noting that the brand did not sufficiently prove explicit misleading of consumers.

Aug 19, 2026 12:37 PM CDT

Dog toy maker laps up victory over Jack Daniel’s trademark challenge at 9th Circuit

A federal appeals court overturned the permanent injunction against the manufacturer of a dog poop-themed chew toy bearing a likeness to a bottle of whiskey Tuesday, ruling that Jack Daniel’s did not prove that VIP Products’ “Bad Spaniels” had caused the liquor maker reputational harm.

Aug 5, 2026 2:14 PM CDT

AI.Law sues competitor Eve Legal for alleged patent infringement

Legal technology company AI.Law has accused competitor Eve Legal of infringing a patent that covers the use of artificial intelligence for transforming unstructured materials into formatted legal documents.

Jun 18, 2026 10:10 AM CDT

SCOTUS declines to hear appeal of oldest active federal judge’s suspension

Updated: The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from a 98-year-old judge—who’s also the oldest active federal judge—of an order suspending her from her duties.

Jun 16, 2026 2:24 PM CDT

Judge Albright, patent dispute magnet, leaving bench in August

U.S. District Judge Alan Albright, known for overseeing a flood of patent cases, is stepping down from his position in the Western District of Texas in August and returning to private practice.

Apr 27, 2026 8:20 AM CDT

Taylor Swift in legal showdown over ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ album title use

A Las Vegas showgirl is suing Taylor Swift over the pop singer’s use of a phrase for her newest album title, which is similar to a trademarked term, according to a claim in California federal court.

Mar 31, 2026 2:46 PM CDT

Barbecue term catches fire on social media; who will get smoked on trademark rights?

If you like barbecue and use social media, you may have heard of Walter Johnson, a senior citizen social media influencer who goes by “Mr. Tendernism.” It references a term that he uses to describe smoked meat so tender that it falls right off the bone. In November, a North Carolina civil litigator who didn’t know Johnson filed two trademark applications for “Tendernism” for restaurant services and clothing.

Mar 12, 2026 8:55 AM CDT

Judge orders patent attorneys to explain incorrect legal citations hallucinated by AI

A Kansas federal judge ordered attorneys representing a patent licensing company to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for submitting briefs that contained nonexistent and incorrect legal citations hallucinated by generative artificial intelligence, according to Law360.

Dec 17, 2025 12:25 PM CST

Intellectual property and pop culture collide over the Labubu, this summer’s hottest collectible

The Labubus are so popular that the elflike plush dolls produced by Chinese toy company Pop Mart have inspired a surge in knockoffs. While the intellectual property issues involving the Labubus aren’t exactly novel, the increasing acceptance of “dupes” is a new trend.

Aug 4, 2025 9:16 AM CDT

‘Patenting Life’ shares tales from a career on the cutting edge of science and the law

Jorge Goldstein entered the fields of science and patent law at a time of immense change for both. In Patenting Life, he shares the fascinating histories behind some well-known medications, lesser-known scientists and groundbreaking court cases.

Apr 9, 2025 8:45 AM CDT

2 Irell & Manella lawyers should be sanctioned after witness ‘was tricked’ with altered document, special master says

An Irell & Manella associate who decided to alter a date on a schematic drawing to prove a point during a deposition should be sanctioned, along with a partner who missed an email revealing the plan, a special master has recommended.

Mar 20, 2025 3:02 PM CDT

Morgan Lewis, plaintiff settle alleged age, race bias case

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and a patent prosecution specialist who sued for alleged age and race bias have agreed to dismiss the case.

Feb 19, 2025 9:01 AM CST

How Nintendo’s IP lawyers are fighting back against ‘Pokémon With Guns’

Behind Nintendo Co.’s fierce protection of wide-ranging intellectual property is a legal team adept at weaponizing patents against potential rivals. Now those attorneys are setting their sights on a studio that’s risen to prominence with a game the industry has dubbed “Pokémon With Guns.”

Nov 15, 2024 10:30 AM CST

Unbeknownst to corporate lawyer, scammers used her name to file thousands of trademark applications

Ana Belén Vinueza isn’t the only lawyer to have her identity stolen to file trademark applications. Scams involving stealing attorney identities and bar credentials specifically to file trademark applications are apparently becoming increasingly common.

Oct 22, 2024 1:38 PM CDT