For our weekly SoCal IP Institute meeting on Monday, June 4, 2018, we will discuss:

Adidas America, Inc. v. Skechers USA, Inc., (9th Cir. May 10, 2018) (available here). Adidas America obtained an injunction against Sketchers from selling shoes allegedly infringing and diluting Adidas’s Stan Smith trade dress and Three-Stripe trademark. On Appeal the 9th circuit held the lower court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a preliminary injunction for Sketchers to stop selling shoes that allegedly infringed the Adidas Stan Smith shoe. However the 9th circuit did find the lower court erred in issuing a preliminary injunction based off the Adidas Three-Stripe trademark.

In Re: Jeff H. Verhoef  (CAFC May 3, 2018) (available here). Verhoef and his Veterinarian invented a dog mobility device to help with rehabilitating pets after surgery. The two filed a patent application in which both were listed as co-inventors. Sadly, the relationship between the two ended badly and the original application was abandoned. Verhoef filed his own patent application listing only himself as an inventor, while the veterinarian did the same. The Verhoef application was rejected immediately. The PTAB affirmed the rejection, finding Verhoef did not solely invent the claimed subject matter, the CAFC affirmed.

All are invited to join us on Monday June 4, 2018, at noon in our Westlake Village office. This activity is approved for 1 hour of MCLE credit. If you will be joining us, please RSVP to Elisha Manzur by 9 am Monday morning.