http://paidcontent.org/2011/11/08/419-new-york-times-sues-huffpo-over-mommy-issues/ The economics of digital content Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:09:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://paidcontent.org/2011/11/08/419-new-york-times-sues-huffpo-over-mommy-issues/#comment-86061 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:11:48 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2011/11/08/419-new-york-times-sues-huffpo-over-mommy-issues/#comment-86061 Thanks for the very crisp and helpful analysis, Fletch. I’m guessing you’re a trademark attorney?

]]> http://paidcontent.org/2011/11/08/419-new-york-times-sues-huffpo-over-mommy-issues/#comment-86060 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:27:08 +0000 http://paidcontent.wp.gostage.it/2011/11/08/419-new-york-times-sues-huffpo-over-mommy-issues/#comment-86060 Fairly simple case…
1. Ownership depends on writer’s employee status and if there was a contract. If the columnist was an employee, then everything they create is the property of the employer. If they had Motherlode prior to joining to NYT, then there should be a contract dictating the ownership post divorce.
2. The only Motherlode trademarks of consequence are ones involving journalism or online content. If NYT wanted to start a Motherlode burger, then they would have an issue.
3. The inclusion of “lode” in HuffPo’s blog using the same writer is enough to cause confusion.
4. Parentlode is a dumb name.

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