This newsletter compiles global intellectual property news from various media sources.
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Historic Record in Domestic Patent Applications: 10,186 Applications
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır highlighted Turkey's achievements in the field of intellectual property during the TÜRKPATENT Academy Launch and the Signing Ceremony for the AI-Powered Digital Transformation Project.
Minister Kacır stated that the number of annual domestic patent applications increased significantly, rising from 414 twenty-two years ago to 10,186 in 2024. He noted that Turkey ranks 12th globally in domestic patent applications, 6th in trademark applications, and 2nd in design applications. Additionally, he mentioned that Turkey’s valid registered industrial property portfolio has grown from 93,000 to over 2 million in the same period.
Kacır emphasized that TÜRKPATENT has evolved from being merely a registration agency to becoming an institution that contributes to the development of intellectual property portfolios and the innovation ecosystem.
Kaynak: https://www.turkpatent.gov.tr/haberler/yerli-patent-basvurularinda-tarihi-rekor-10-bin-186-basvuru
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Dyson vs. SharkNinja: Settlement Process Ongoing in Patent Infringement Lawsuit
In May 2024, Dyson filed a lawsuit against SharkNinja, alleging that the company copied its cyclonic vacuum cleaner technology. In August, SharkNinja countersued Dyson, seeking a declaratory judgment that its bagless vacuum cleaners did not infringe on several of Dyson’s patents.
These patent infringement lawsuits between the two companies revolved around Dyson's vacuum cleaner technology. On December 31, both parties filed motions with the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, requesting a 45-day stay in the cases to finalize a settlement agreement.
As of now, the settlement process is ongoing, and the final decisions are expected to be announced after the 45-day pause period concludes.
The Court of Appeal:
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Key Global Trademark Developments in 2024 and 2025 Outlook
2024 was transformative for intellectual property law, with cases defining AI regulation, trade secret protection, and trademark enforcement. 2025 is poised to bring pivotal decisions, especially regarding AI-related copyright and trademark liability.
2024 Highlights:
EU AI Act Introduction: The European Union launched the AI Act with a risk-based approach to regulate AI systems. The phased implementation began on August 1, 2024, impacting businesses within and outside the EU whose AI systems or outputs are used there.
Motorola Mobility LLC & Lenovo Case: Lenovo’s appeal was rejected, and the Court upheld that remedies in cases involving standard-essential patents (SEPs) must adhere to existing English law, setting limits on court flexibility for FRAND (Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory) cases.
Tesla vs. Rivian: Tesla accused Rivian of trade secret theft and trademark infringement. The case settled out of court, with Rivian agreeing to stricter measures to protect intellectual property. Legal costs exceeded $50 million, emphasizing the need for robust IP safeguards in competitive industries.
2025 Notable Upcoming Cases:
AI and Copyright Disputes:
Getty Images v. Stability AI: Examines fair use boundaries in AI training data involving copyrighted images.
New York Times v. OpenAI: Raises questions about the unauthorized use of content in AI model training.
Authors Guild v. OpenAI: Challenges the fair use doctrine for AI models trained on copyrighted books.
Trademark and Patent Cases:
Dewberry Group Inc. v. Dewberry Engineers Inc.: Supreme Court to address corporate affiliates’ liability in trademark infringement damages.
ParkerVision v. TCL Industries: Supreme Court to review patent infringement standards, potentially influencing future litigation strategies.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..Miley Cyrus Tests Controversial Copyright Rules in 'Flowers' Lawsuit
Miley Cyrus is leveraging a controversial Ninth Circuit precedent in her bid to dismiss a copyright lawsuit accusing her song "Flowers" of copying Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man." Tempo Music Investments filed the lawsuit after acquiring the rights from one of the four co-writers of Mars’ song. Cyrus argues that this purchase, made without the explicit consent of the other co-writers, does not grant Tempo the legal standing to sue.
If this argument succeeds, it could limit the ability of co-owners to file copyright infringement lawsuits individually and weaken the licensing system in the music industry. Critics warn that it could diminish the value of copyrights and create legal uncertainty around past copyright transactions.
Experts suggest this case may deepen the divide between the Ninth Circuit and the Second Circuit on copyright issues, potentially leading to a Supreme Court review. The outcome could have significant implications for how contracts are structured and lawsuits are handled across the entertainment industry.
Kaynak: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/miley-cyrus-tests-copyright-transfer-rules-in-flowers-lawsuit
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