Bad Spaniels: Trademark Parody and Fair Use Doctrines
Thursday, April 13 | 4 – 5:30 PM EDT
Northeastern University School of Law
145 Knowles (Sun Room)
Join this hybrid event featuring Professor Rebecca Tushnet and Professor Alexandra J. Roberts for a conversation about Jack Daniels v. VIP Products.
Is a squeaky dog toy that pokes fun at a famous brand an expressive work that merits First Amendment protection, or a commercial product subject to trademark infringement’s traditional likelihood of confusion analysis? What if instead of describing “Old No. 7 Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey” manufactured by “Jack Daniel’s,” the toy mimics that product’s trade dress but refers to a “Bad Spaniel” that makes “Old No. 2 on your Tennessee carpet”? How should courts apply federal antidilution law in cases where a use involves speech?
Join Professor Rebecca Tushnet of Harvard Law School and Professor Alexandra J. Roberts of Northeastern for a conversation about trademark parody and fair use doctrines with a focus on Jack Daniels v. VIP Products, which is currently pending before the US Supreme Court.
Apr 13, 2023
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm