Trade dress suits knock knockoffs off store shelf; Proctor & Gamble has makers of look-alike products in retreat. Will a Federal Circuit ruling reverse the tide?

Article Abstract:

Proctor & Gamble has won settlements in several lawsuits brought against the makers of knockoff products despite a recent Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruling favoring copycatters. P&G has brought many dress infringement suits under the Lanham Trademark Act, settling 12 since June 1993, but some opponents vow not to give in, citing a Nov 1994 ruling in Conopco v May Dept Stores that packaging similarities are allowable. The court's jurisdiction is limited, however, and litigation costs less than redesigning packaging.

Laws, regulations and rules, Procter & Gamble Co., PG, Trade dress (Trademark law), Trade dress, Product counterfeiting

---

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the presumption that courts should resolve issues of arbitrability, but offers little guidance on other arbitration disputes

Article Abstract:

The US Supreme Court's 1995 ruling in First Options of Chicago v Kaplan, concerning securities arbitration, qualified with two rebuttable presumptions the rule that courts should settle issues of arbitrability. The first is that, absent a clear agreement to the contrary, courts should settle whether a valid arbitration agreement exists. The second is that the arbitrators should determine whether a given issue is included in the scope of the valid agreement. Several other important arbitrability issues remain unclear.

Securities Dealers, Investment Banking and Securities Dealing, Security brokers and dealers, Securities arbitration

---

ALA offers products, courses and conferences

Article Abstract:

A brief guide to information services from the Association of Legal Administrators is given. Offerings include tapes on total quality management, an outline on disaster preparedness, article reprint collections, a five-day Advanced Legal Management Institute and a pamphlet on health care.

Information services, Association of Legal Administrators

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The private sector in perspective - 1996/97. Pay prospects for 1998 - a survey of the private sector
• Abstracts: California domain name bill draws fire. The Electronic FOIA amendments of 1996: reformatting the FOIA for on-line access
• Abstracts: Transfer incident to divorce not sheltered from all tax. Special valuation rules apply to estate's timberland
• Abstracts: The regulation of social meaning. Economic regulation and democratic government. The law of the horse: what cyberlaw might teach
• Abstracts: Euro poses disclosure issues for SEC registrants; US companies are considering whether euro conversion might raise risks they must disclose

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.