intellectual property boston college law school april 13, 2007 trademark – genericide,...
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Intellectual Property
Boston College Law School
April 13, 2007
Trademark – Genericide, Functionality
Infringement
• Causes of Action– Likelihood of Confusion– Dilution– Cybersquatting– False Advertising
Defenses
• Genericness
• Functionality
• Abandonment
• Nominative Use
• Parody
Murphy Door Bed v. Interior
Generic?
• Generic– Thermos
– Escalator
– Trampoline
– Cellophane
– Nylon
– Yo-Yo
Avoiding Genericide
Functionality
• Lanham Act § 2(e)(5)– No trademark … shall be refused registration
… unless it --• (e) Consists of a mark which, … (5) comprises any
matter that, as a whole, is functional
Functionality
• When is something “functional”?– Essential to the use or purpose of the article– Affects the cost or quality of the product
TrafFix v. MDI121 S. Ct. 1255 (2001)
Functionality
• When is something “functional”?– Essential to the use or purpose of the article– Affects the cost or quality of the product
• Overall inquiry– Exclusive use of the feature would put competitors at a significant
non-reputation-related disadvantage• Relevant Factors
– Existence of a utility patent disclosing utilitarian advantages
– Advertising materials touting utilitarian advantages– Unavailability of alternative designs– Simpler or cheaper method of manufacturing
• Burden of proof on trademark holder
Hypos
Patent, Copyright, Trademark
Patent Copyright
TrademarkFunctionality
Doctrine
Useful ArticleDoctrine
ProductDesign
FictionalCharacters
ComputerSoftware
Administrative Details• Preliminary Exam Details
– Format• Take home examination
• Freely schedulable, but limited to 24 hours
• Open book, no additional research
• Strict word limits
– Content• At least one traditional issue-spotter
• At least one broad-based policy essay
– Past Exams on Web Site
Administrative
• Next Assignment– Read through VI.E.4 – Finish Defenses