Lisa P. Ramsey
@lpramsey.bsky.social
University of San Diego Law Professor. I teach IP law and write about potential conflicts between trademark laws and free speech rights. Author of “Trademarks and Free Speech: Conflicts and Resolutions” (Cambridge University Press 2026) www.lisapramsey.com
There is a trademark dispute over use of the phrase “Plot Twist" in connection with a book store, podcast about books, and a book festival. Info is here: Two Chicks and a Plot Twist Podcast: www.facebook.com/permalink.ph... The Plot Twist's response: www.facebook.com/615635548336... Thoughts?
facebook.com
I highly recommend reading Rebecca Tushnet’s excellent amicus brief in the RiseandShine v. Pepsico lawsuit filed with the U.S. Supreme Court (I am one of the signatories on this brief) - a link to the amicus brief and summary of the argument is below.
Rebecca Tushnet@rtushnet.bsky.social · 2w agoAmicus in Rise & Shine
Buc-ee's is pushing back on allegations of trademark bullying from Teddy's Market in a Georgia federal lawsuit that Buc-ee's filed against the convenience-store rival, asking a judge to throw out six counterclaims challenging its trademark enforcement and registrations.
Buc-ee's Says Its TM Suits Aren't A 'Bullying' Campaign - Law360
Travel center chain Buc-ee's is pushing back on allegations of trademark bullying from Teddy's Market in a Georgia federal lawsuit that Buc-ee's filed against the convenience store rival, asking a judge to throw out six counterclaims challenging its trademark enforcement and registrations.
law360.com
Please join me and experts from Australia and Europe for an interesting conversation about trademarks and freedom of expression on Wed., Sept. 16 at 6 am PT/9am ET on Zoom (or in person if you will be in Amsterdam). www.ivir.nl/events/conve...
Australia–EU–US Conversation on Trademarks and Freedom of Expression - IVIR
Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2026Time: 15:00–16:00 CETLocation:– Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam – Room A5.24– Online via Zoom.See also the flyer. The relationship betwe...
ivir.nl
Etsy seller's 'bruh' T-shirts were removed over a trademark complaint. He says it's trademark squatting www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
Etsy removed seller's 'bruh' T-shirts after a trademark complaint. He says it's trademark squatting | CBC News
An Etsy seller says the online retailer removed his listings for T-shirts with the word "bruh" after the person who holds a Canadian trademark for it complained. One legal expert worries that the cost...
cbc.ca
I was honored to be invited to give the keynote presentation - "First Amendment Limits on Trademark Rights" - at this SFIPLA Annual Seminar on October 1. Please join us for an amazing lineup of speakers on various IP law topics. sfipla.com/sfipla-event...
Annual Seminar - SFIPLA
sfipla.com
(1) X Corp blocks social media startup from using 'Twitter' name - www.reuters.com/legal/litiga... (2) Operation Bluebird Renames TWITTER.NOW Platform to TWEET.APP - finance.yahoo.com/media-advert...
X Corp blocks social media startup from using 'Twitter' name
Elon Musk's X Corp convinced a Delaware federal judge on Thursday to preliminarily block social media startup Operation Bluebird from using the Twitter name and other Twitter-related marks for its p...
reuters.com
Information about my Trademarks and Free Speech book that I discuss in this podcast is available on my website: www.lisapramsey.com/trademarks-a.... Also you can download a free version of the introduction and chapter 1 from SSRN here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Professor Lisa P. Ramsey - Trademarks and Free Speech book
Table of Contents Introduction 1. Trademarks with Substantial Inherent Value 2. When Do Trademark and Free Speech Rights Conflict? 3. A Free Speech Framework for Trademark Law 4. Trademark Registratio...
lisapramsey.com
Brian L. Frye@brianlfrye.bsky.social · last mo.I just posted @IpseDixitPod #837, featuring @lpramsey.bsky.social discussing her new book "Trademarks and Free Speech: Conflicts and Resolutions" from @universitypress.cambridge.org. shows.acast.com/ipse-dixit/e...
"Buc-ee’s currently faces a growing PR headache over trademark lawsuits, including a fight with a small Ohio corner store that has sparked calls for boycotts, fundraising and beaver-themed logos in solidarity." www.aol.com/articles/buc...
Buc-ee’s CEO says ‘conservative’ states will get stores — and there are three requirements any location must meet - AOL
Texas-based Buc-ee’s now operates in at least a dozen states, which are primarily Republican-leaning or conservative
aol.com
I just posted @IpseDixitPod #837, featuring @lpramsey.bsky.social discussing her new book "Trademarks and Free Speech: Conflicts and Resolutions" from @universitypress.cambridge.org. shows.acast.com/ipse-dixit/e...
Lisa Ramsey on Trademarks & Free Speech | Ipse Dixit
shows.acast.com
If you plan to attend the KPBS San Diego book festival this Sat, Aug. 22, drop by the University of San Diego School of Law’s table to say hi. I will be there from 12-2 PM to answer questions about my new book “Trademarks and Free Speech: Conflicts and Resolutions”. www.kpbs.org/sdbookfestival
KPBS San Diego Book Festival
Let’s bring our community closer together through the shared experience of reading and discussing great books! The inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival on the University of San Diego campus is a fre...
kpbs.org
Lady Gaga Beats Surf Brand's 'Mayhem' TM Infringement Suit www.law360.com/articles/251...
Lady Gaga Beats Surf Brand's 'Mayhem' TM Infringement Suit - Law360
A California federal judge Tuesday granted Lady Gaga's bid to toss a surf and lifestyle brand's lawsuit accusing her of infringing a "Mayhem" mark on her merchandise, saying the brand failed to suffic...
law360.com
There's an interesting copyright/trademark lawsuit over this AI-generated meme called Tung Tung Sahur, and my son insists these companies' CEOs don't talk with their kids because if they did they'd know "nobody cares" about it anymore.
Tung Tung Sahur
Alt: Tung Tung Sahur. Sorry I don't know how to describe this.
static.klipy.com
Highly recommend Kyle Jahner’s article about the recent Jack Daniel’s v. VIP decision (with a quote from me): Jack Daniel’s Dog Toy Tarnishment Ruling Raises Dilution Bar news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/jack-...
Jack Daniel’s Dog Toy Tarnishment Ruling Raises Dilution Bar
Jack Daniel’s Properties’ Inc.'s loss in its trademark case over a whiskey-bottle-shaped dog toy with fecal puns set a high new standard for thwarting low-brow trademark imitations.
news.bloomberglaw.com
Jack Daniel’s Trademark Tarnishment Win Reversed on Appeal news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/jack-...
Jack Daniel’s Trademark Tarnishment Win Reversed on Appeal
Jack Daniel’s Properties Inc.'s famous trademarks weren’t tarnished by a whiskey bottle-shaped dog toy’s poop puns, the Ninth Circuit ruled.
news.bloomberglaw.com
Highly recommend this article - Comedian Daring Buc-ee's To Sue Takes Dig At Brand Policing (www.law360.com/articles/250...) - about Buc-ee's aggressive enforcement of trademark rights in its logo (a bucktoothed cartoon beaver wearing a red baseball cap), with a few quotes from me.
Comedian Daring Buc-ee's To Sue Takes Dig At Brand Policing - Law360
The string of lawsuits Buc-ee's Ltd. has filed against businesses it says mimic its popular beaver branding has caught the attention of comedian John Oliver, who unveiled a bucktoothed "Buc-Off" masco...
law360.com
John Oliver Dares Buc-ee’s To Sue Him Over Trademark Infringement I will admit it's always a special kind of fun when a topic we cover here at Techdirt gets the John Oliver treatment. He and... https://www.techdirt.com/2026/07/30/john-oliver-dares-buc-ees-to-sue-him-over-trademark-infringement/
John Oliver Dares Buc-ee’s To Sue Him Over Trademark Infringement
I will admit it's always a special kind of fun when a topic we cover here at Techdirt gets the John Oliver treatment. He and his writing team generally gets things right, which helps. And I'm not saying that Oliver and his crew are definitely Techdirt readers, but, well, hi John and crew! Readers here...
techdirt.com
When A.I. Invaded ‘Heated Rivalry’ Fan Fiction, the Meltdown Was Epic (with some comments from me) www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/t...
When A.I. Invaded ‘Heated Rivalry’ Fan Fiction, the Meltdown Was Epic
An anonymous X account posted a detailed breakdown of chatbot text in 38 popular stories inspired by the hockey romance. The fandom spiraled.
nytimes.com
If you will be at Comic-Con this week, please join us Sat. at 10:30 am for our panel on hot topics in IP law. My talk will focus on trademark law (e.g., Patagonia v. Pattie Gonia, the Confessions of a Showgirl/Life of a Showgirl lawsuit against Taylor Swift). comiccon2026.sched.com/event/bc4067...
Comic-Con 2026: Comic Book Law School® 303: Trademark Pa...
View more about this event at Comic-Con 2026
comiccon2026.sched.com
federal court finds rebel ice cream infringed & diluted the trade dress for van leeuwen ice cream, enjoining rebel's use of its current packaging & awarding van leeuwen $23.79 million in damages www.bloomberglaw.com/product/blaw...
The US Supreme Court will hear a trademark dispute involving the mark RISE for coffee and alleged infringement of that mark by Pepsi's use of MTN DEW RISE as the name of an energy drink. www.reuters.com/world/us-sup...
US Supreme Court takes up Pepsi 'Mtn Dew Rise' trademark dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a bid by canned-coffee maker Rise Brewing to hold PepsiCo liable for alleged trademark infringement concerning Pepsi's morning energy drink "Mtn Dew R...
reuters.com
Recommend this article by Riya Sharma about the Patagonia/Pattie Gonia trademark dispute with quotes by me. Pattie Gonia included a First Amendment defense among other defenses to infringement and dilution in her answer,... news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-...
Patagonia-Pattie Gonia Fight Tests Trademarks in Influencer Era
Patagonia Inc., the outdoor apparel brand known for its pro-environment stance, is embroiled in a trademark dispute with drag queen and climate activist Pattie Gonia in what could become a PR nightmar...
news.bloomberglaw.com
"The NO FAKES Act, a proposed federal law that would ban AI-powered voice cloning and deepfakes, passed a key Congressional hurdle Thursday (June 18) as it was approved by a Senate committee." www.billboard.com/pro/ai-no-fa...
AI Deepfake Law NO FAKES Act Advances in Congress With Key Senate Committee Vote
The NO FAKES Act, a proposed federal law that would ban AI-powered voice cloning and deepfakes, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
billboard.com
influencer sues partner lingerie brand, alleging that instead of publishing the content she provided, it posted altered deepfake videos that exposed her breasts thru one of the brand's sheer bras–imagery she neither created nor approved www.thefashionlaw.com/what-happens...
What Happens When Brands Use AI to "Alter" Influencer Content?
The lawsuit comes as fashion and beauty brands increasingly experiment with AI-generated tools in their marketing efforts.
thefashionlaw.com
Recommend this interesting news story by George Kelly about FIFA’s rules for ketchup bottles and other condiments at US stadiums hosting World Cup games (with some quotes from me!) Lost in the sauce: FIFA tried to hide the Heinz; everyone knew anyway sfstandard.com/2026/06/15/f...
FIFA’s tape job on condiments at the World Cup backfires spectacularly
One internet commenter dubbed the taped-over bottles the “Epstein file condiments.”
sfstandard.com
i dug into the @patagonia lawsuit against drag queen activitist pattie gonia for trademark infringement & dilution & spoke with @sfgate yesterday about why i don't think it's a slam dunk: www.sfgate.com/national-par...
Patagonia in the wilderness with suit against drag queen, legal experts say
Trademark lawyers aren't convinced the suit would hold up in court.
sfgate.com
Major Publishers Challenge AI Training Practices in Landmark Copyright Suit Against Meta www.lexology.com/library/deta...
Major Publishers Challenge AI Training Practices in Landmark Copyright Suit Against Meta
Major publishing houses and bestselling author Scott Turow have sued Meta and Mark Zuckerberg, alleging Meta used pirated copyrighted works…
lexology.com
Under the approach in my new book, such uses of the Steamboat Willie image are OK if people don’t think Disney is the source of the beer, but the breweries should not be able to register or obtain trademark protection for this packaging design because this image is inherently valuable expression.
Zvi S. Rosen@zvirosen.bsky.social · 4mo agoMissed this when new - two competing breweries both released "public domain" Steamboat Willy themed beers. www.westword.com/food-drink/p...
Here are my predictions after listening to the oral arguments at the Ninth Circuit in the Jack Daniel's v. VIP Products trademark dispute. First, the Ninth Circuit will not rule on the issue of whether the dilution by tarnishment statute is consistent with the First Amendment. . . .
