From Comerica to Fifth Third: The Intellectual Property Concerns Behind a Stadium Name
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 25
Comerica Park becomes Fifth Third Park in 2027. Here’s how stadium naming rights work as IP licensing and what Fifth Third gains beyond fan approval.
The Law Of Unintended Consequences
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 24
As any trademark lawyer will tell clients considering a rebrand, the adoption of any new trademark involves risk. A search can identify potentially conflicting trademarks that could pose problems for use and/or registration of a new trademark.
When Monopoly Promotes Progress
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 23
Why would the United States grant inventors exclusive rights to their creations while simultaneously seeking to promote competition and innovation? The answer lies in the Patent Act of 1790, which established a framework that still shapes patent law today.
What’s in a Name? Why Trademark Clearance Matters
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 22
Before a brand makes headlines for the right reasons, it helps to make sure someone else doesn’t already own the name. A recent dispute involving Tesla offers a timely reminder that a great brand name can become an expensive problem.
Who Owns the Last Second? Patents, Technology, and the Rules of College Football
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 21
One second became a surprisingly complicated piece of technology, intellectual property and sports governance in the 2026 collegiate season opening game.
The Making of America*
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 20
With the end of Hot Dog Season quickly approaching, now is a good time to reflect on the innovative new growth that made this season what it is today.
Bad Spaniels Is Back, and This Time, It Bites Back
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 19
The Ninth Circuit just reversed course on Jack Daniel’s dilution claim against the ‘Bad Spaniels’ dog toy, vacating the injunction and ruling that parody humor alone doesn’t prove reputational harm. Here’s what the decision means for brand owners pursuing tarnishment claims.
A Cautionary Tale on Trading Cards
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 18
The trading card industry is booming again – and what makes this moment different is not who holds the cards, literally and figuratively, but how the trading card space is rapidly evolving.
The Great FIFA Cover-Up
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 17
Imagine paying millions of dollars for the naming rights to a stadium—only to have your brand hidden behind a giant white tarp. That’s exactly what happened to Levi Strauss during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beneath the Rocket’s Red Glare: Intellectual Property Considerations for Drone-Based Light Shows
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 26, Issue 16
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday on July 4th, many communities are replacing or supplementing traditional fireworks with drone-based light shows – which prompts the question of intellectual property protection.