As an IP attorney, I often get asked what kinds of things really land someone in copyright trouble these days. Obviously, the answer to that depends, but the recently filed lawsuit by CoStar (owner of Homes.com) against Zillow is a vivid and timely example worth...
Intellectual Property
Same Name, Totally Different Business? With Well-known Brands, That May Not Matter
On August 4, 2025, Apple Inc. filed a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts against Sand Media Corp., owner of “Apple Cinemas,” a movie theatre chain based in New England. Apple claims that the theatre’s use of the name “Apple” infringes on its well‐known trademark, risks...
Arhaus vs. RH Dispute: When Trade Secrets Are on the Table
Earlier in 2025, furniture and home-goods retailer Arhaus filed a lawsuit against RH. The core allegation? A former Arhaus executive, Lisa Chi, improperly transferred confidential and proprietary information (i.e., trade secrets) from Arhaus to RH when she changed...
What Is in a Name? Columbia vs. Columbia
Imagine the word Columbia emblazoned on a cozy hoodie or hat. Does it evoke a rugged outdoor reputation for you? Or elite academia? That is exactly what Columbia Sportswear and Columbia University are hashing out in court right now. What Is Going On? In June 2023, the...
What the Trade Secret Claim against Apple Means for Innovation and IP Law
Apple Pay has been around for more than a decade, and lots of people have gotten used to the ease of pulling out their phones to pay for things over that time. However, an Austin-based fintech company, Fintiv, has filed a suit against Apple alleging the tech giant...
“Don’t Be Shy” Case Illustrates How Important True Experts Are
On the surface, music copyright cases may seem straightforward: if two songs sound alike, there is likely infringement, right? Longtime readers know this is not true, though. In fact, IP law imposes two major hurdles: showing the accused had a reasonable opportunity...
When “Seattle” Becomes a Battleground: What One Trademark Fight Teaches Us About IP Law
Imagine starting your coffee brand as a college project and watching it grow into neighborhood grocery shelves… only to have a global corporation challenge your right to your name. That is exactly what is happening between Seattle Strong, a cold-brew coffee company...
AI Companies Are Winning Cases against Authors… But Not Completely
Back in March of this year, we wrote about a decision against Ross Intelligence using existing material to train its AI model. In that case, the judge ruled that it was not fair use for Ross to use material from Thomson Reuters’ Westlaw without permission to create...