9th Circuit Rules that Time is Of the Essence When a “Close Relationship” Exists Between the Parties to a Copyright Infringement Suit

On November 6, 2013, the 9th Circuit, following previous decisions by the 2nd and 6th Circuits, ruled that a copyright infringement claim filed by Seven Arts was barred based on the three year statute of limitations imposed by the Copyright Act. The decision cited that this decision was proper for the circumstances at hand because

Asian-American Band Continues to be Denied Trademark Registration for “The Slants”

“The Slants” is a Seattle-based band composed primarily of members of Asian-American descent. According to the band, their desire was “to take on these stereotypes that people have about us, like the slanted eyes, and own them.” They have been using the name since 2006 and claim to have a large Asian-American following. When the

Will Laches Continue to End Petrella’s Claims When the U.S. Supreme Court Weighs In on Rights to Raging Bull?

The Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 in the case of Petrella v. Metro Goldwyn Mayer, over whether the doctrine of laches bars infringement claims over the rights to the film Raging Bull. This case, which was previously decided by the 9th Circuit, involves alleged copyright infringement of two