IP Newsflash

Two law schools in Space City are clashing over who has the right to be known as “Houston’s” law school. South Texas College of Law (SCTL) recently announced that it was changing its name to Houston College of Law, much to the disapproval of the top-tier ranked University of Houston Law Center (UH). On June 27, 2016, UH filed suit in the Southern District of Texas against STCL for trademark infringement, unfair competition, false advertising, and dilution.

On June 23, 2016, the International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that a Section 337 violation has occurred in Certain Footwear Products (Inv. No. 337-TA-936). As a result, it issued a general exclusion order prohibiting the unlicensed entry of footwear products that infringe two marks directed to the outsole layout of Converse Inc.’s (“Converse”) famous Chuck Taylor shoe (U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 3,258,103 (the ‘103 trademark) and 1,588,960 (the ‘960 trademark)). The ITC determined that the public interest factors do not preclude issuance of the general exclusion order. The ITC also determined that a bond of 100 percent of the entered value (per pair) of the covered products is required to permit temporary importation during the presidential review period.