Missing the (Lex)Mark – What Is the Proper Standing Test Before the USPTO?
Following a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) decision and corresponding Federal Circuit appeal finding that she did not have standing to oppose registration of a RAPUNZEL mark for dolls,...
Knobbe Martens Names New Chairs of Market-Leading Trademark and Brand Protection Group
IRVINE, Calif., October 22, 2025 – Knobbe Martens, one of the nation’s largest intellectual property law firms, is pleased to announce that Charlene Azema and Gregory Phillips have been named...
San Diego Business Journal Names Robert Hilton and Daniel Hughes Among “Leaders of Influence in Law”
SAN DIEGO, October 21, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that partners Robert Hilton and Daniel Hughes have been recognized as “Leaders of Influence in Law” by the...
Mark Lezama Discusses Netflix’s AI Content Policy with World Trademark Review
Netflix recently announced new guidance for using generative AI in content produced for its platform, requiring production partners to disclose any intended use of AI, prohibiting training models on uncleared...
Lawdragon Names 17 Knobbe Martens Partners Among ‘Leading Litigators in America’
IRVINE, Calif., September 8, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that 17 of the firm’s partners have been recognized in the 2026 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading...
One Name, Two Claims: Prince’s Estate and Apollonia Clash Over Trademark Rights
Bono, Madonna, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Drake, Cher, Sting, Lorde, Flea, Adele, Bjork, Seal, Pink: these celebrities all share the same elite status of fame to be known by a single...
Dozens of Knobbe Martens Lawyers Featured in “Best Lawyers” 2026 Guide
IRVINE, Calif., August 21, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that dozens of the firm’s lawyers, representing a range of practice areas and offices across the country, have...
Jonathan Menkes and Zachary Greenberg Share Best Practices for Keyword Search Advertising in AdAge Article
In the AdAge article “How Brands Can Avoid Risk When Bidding on Competitor Trademarks as Search Keywords,” lawyers Jonathan Menkes and Zachary Greenberg explore the complex legal landscape of digital...
No Shenanigans: IPRs and Interference Estoppel
IGT v. ZYNGA INC. Before Prost, Reyna, and Taranto. Appeal from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). Summary: Interference estoppel does not apply when the interference was terminated due...
Fair Use and the Future of Generative AI: Lessons from the Meta and Anthropic Copyright Cases
With the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, generative AI entered the cultural zeitgeist. Not surprisingly, within a few months, the first generative AI lawsuits were filed in the U.S....
Reissue Applications Are Bound by the Scope of the Claims as Written, Not as Intended
IN RE KOSTIC Before Stoll, Clevenger, and Cunningham. Appeal from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: When considering whether a reissue claim broadens the scope of the original patent,...
Ten Knobbe Martens Partners Named Among 2025 IP Stars by Managing IP
Partner Susan Natland repeats as among Top 250 Women in IP IRVINE, Calif., June 10, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that ten of the firm’s partners have...
2025 Chambers USA Guide Honors Standout Knobbe Martens Partners and Practices
Firm ranks highly in life sciences, patent litigation, patent prosecution, and trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, recognized for “five-star” client service IRVINE, Calif. & SEATTLE, June 6, 2025 – Knobbe Martens...
The Votes Are In: Highly Descriptive Marks Are Difficult to Protect
HERITAGE ALLIANCE V. AMERICAN POLICY ROUNDTABLE Before Prost, Taranto, and Stark. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: Continuous-use evidence is not necessarily prima facie evidence of acquired...
Jonathan Hyman Quoted by Legal and Entertainment Media on Netflix Trademark Dispute
Jonathan Hyman, co-chair of Knobbe Martens’ advertising, media and entertainment practice, shared his perspective with The Recorder, Daily Journal, and The Hollywood Reporter, and Bloomberg Law on a recent trademark complaint...
Collateral Estoppel Does Not Apply When the Prior Proceeding Applies a Lower Burden of Proof
KROY IP HOLDINGS, LLC v. GROUPON, INC. Before Prost, Reyna, and Taranto. Appeal from the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. Summary: Because there are different burdens of proof...
3rd Annual MCLE-a-thon: Navigating False Advertising Claims
As part of the firm’s 3rd annual MCLE-a-thon, partners Jonathan Hyman and Matthew Bellinger explore the latest developments in false advertising litigation. Jonathan and Matt discuss significant laws and cases...
Mark Lezama Shares Insights on Copyright and Use of AI in the Entertainment Industry with The Ankler
Speaking with entertainment trade publication The Ankler, litigation partner Mark Lezama offered his perspective on the evolving issues of artificial intelligence and copyright infringement in the film and television industry....
Sheila Swaroop and Sara Witty Examine Legal Implications of AI-Generated “Deepfakes” in New York Law Journal
In the article “The ‘Deepfake Era’: How To Navigate AI-Generated Content,” attorneys Sheila Swaroop, chair of the firm’s litigation practice, and Sara Witty explore legal protections against AI-generated “deepfakes” and...
Falsely Claiming Patent Protection May Violate the Lanham Act
CROCS, INC. v. EFFERVESCENT, INC.
Before Reyna, Cunningham and Albright. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
Summary: A claim that an unpatented product feature is “patented,” “proprietary,” or “exclusive” may violate Section 43(a)(1)(B) of the Lanham Act.
In Nutrition Industry Executive Article, Knobbe Martens Attorneys Recommend Strategies to Avoid Advertising Pitfalls
In the article “Checking on Supplements: NAD’s Recent Guidance on Substantiating Ingredient vs. Product Claims,” attorneys Jonathan Hyman, Kate McMorrow, and Zoe Vikstrom examine a recent National Advertising Division (NAD)...
