Halloween Spooktacular 3: Losing Your Monster
IP Goes Pop
Have you ever wondered how your favorite Halloween monsters became pop culture icons? In this Spooktacular episode of IP Goes Pop!®, hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue dive into the fascinating legal stories behind Frankenstein, Dracula, and Zombies, revealing how intellectual property (IP) law shapes their enduring legacies. What to Expect: Frankenstein: Explore the evolution of Mary Shelley’s creation and how Universal Studios' iconic design—complete with neck bolts and green skin—became legally protected. Discover why retelling Shelley’s tale is fair game, but copying...
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Artificial Intelligence: A Deeper Dive into Pop Culture Part 2
IP Goes Pop
How are deepfakes—those eerily convincing, digitally altered images and videos—reshaping our world? Intellectual property attorneys Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue dive back into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can affect, or even alter, intellectual property (IP) rights. From AI-generated songs mimicking megastars like Drake and The Weeknd to creating digital doubles of actors and extras in films the implications of these technologies are palpable. Michael and Joe break down “deepfakes” and how these technologies could lead to copyright...
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Artificial Intelligence: Is Imitation Still Flattery? Part 1
IP Goes Pop
Hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue kick off a two-part series on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on intellectual property (IP) rights in an individual’s persona. They delve into generative AI, explaining how it creates text, images, and voices that closely mimic human attributes, and discuss the right of publicity, a legal doctrine that protects an individual's likeness and voice from unauthorized commercial use. The hosts explore AI's portrayal of humans in pop culture, citing films like Terminator 2, S1m0ne, and Her to illustrate AI's potential to replicate human beings....
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It’s Not Bragging If It’s True: The IP of TV Series “Suits”
IP Goes Pop
Put on your best suit and step into the world of TV legal dramas with podcast co-hosts, IP attorneys, and shareholders Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue, as they guide you through the realities, quirks and possible departures from reality depicted in the TV show Suits. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Suits or have never watched an episode, this installment of IP Goes Pop!® has something for everyone. Michael and Joe lead off the episode by discussing TV shows that have focused on intellectual property law issues, such as Canada’s The IP Section and HBO’s Silicon Valley, which demonstrate...
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USPTO - History Matters
IP Goes Pop
Dive into the rich history of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with this episode of IP Goes Pop!®, guided by USPTO historian Rebekah Oakes and co-hosted by Intellectual Property Attorneys Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue. Explore the USPTO's impact on innovation and the integration of patent rights into the Constitution, highlighted through connections to pop culture icons like National Treasure and Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Rebekah shares insights into the USPTO's archives, the digitization of historical patents, and the agency's ongoing efforts to chronicle...
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Technohumanism
IP Goes Pop
Navigate the interface of IP and transformative technologies that can augment human capabilities, both in science fiction and emerging reality with Co-hosts, Shareholders, and Intellectual Property attorneys Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue. If you're interested in intellectual property, bioethical dilemmas, the future of technology, or just love a good legal quandary set against a backdrop of pop culture, this episode is tailored for you. The hosts draw upon well-known figures such as DC Comics' Cyborg, Marvel's Winter Soldier, and the from to frame the discussion. They then discuss...
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Lessons from Movies About Innovators
IP Goes Pop
Get ready for a cinematic exploration of innovation and intellectual property as depicted in popular movies about inventors and creators. In this episode, IP Goes Pop!® co-hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue, peel back the layers of iconic movies that not only inspire us, but also shed light on the realities of building successful businesses and protecting ideas. Starting with 1988’s Tucker: The Man and His Dream, your hosts dive into the story of Preston Tucker and his revolutionary automobile, the Tucker 48. This tale not only epitomizes the spirit of disrupting the status quo...
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I’m a Barbie Girl in an IP World
IP Goes Pop
This episode of IP Goes Pop!®, takes you on a journey through the iconic world of the Barbie universe and brand, exploring its deep-rooted connections with pop culture and intellectual property law. Hop in the dream car and journey with Volpe Koenig Shareholders and podcast hosts, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue to a land of pink corvettes, with a few pitstops at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Kicking off with a discussion of the recent cinematic triumphs of the Barbie movie released this year (2023), your hosts delve into how this classic brand has been brought to...
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McGruff the Crime Dog® and the USPTO Help IP Goes Pop!® Take a Bite Out of Counterfeits
IP Goes Pop
Hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue are joined by: Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Kathi Vidal; Executive Director of the National Crime Prevention Council, Paul DelPonte; and the legendary McGruff the Crime Dog®. Our guests share their insights on the impact of counterfeits on society, the economy, and individual safety. The panel kicks off with a discussion of public service characters and their roles in environmental awareness and education. The panel then explores the issue of counterfeit goods. Here,...
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You Can Patent That?
IP Goes Pop
Join co-hosts Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue on a new episode of "IP Goes Pop!" that will leave you wondering "You can patent that?!". This episode focuses on a variety of curious and/or unusual patents, demonstrating the wide range of ideas that can result in an issued patent. From the surprising to the peculiar, this episode provides an overview of the “usefulness” threshold in United States patent law. “Listeners will learn about existing patents that are as bizarre as they are “useful,” and how anyone might have an idea that has “utility” and is therefore worthy of a...
info_outlineThis episode of IP Goes Pop!®, takes you on a journey through the iconic world of the Barbie universe and brand, exploring its deep-rooted connections with pop culture and intellectual property law. Hop in the dream car and journey with Volpe Koenig Shareholders and podcast hosts, Michael Snyder and Joseph Gushue to a land of pink corvettes, with a few pitstops at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Kicking off with a discussion of the recent cinematic triumphs of the Barbie movie released this year (2023), your hosts delve into how this classic brand has been brought to life on the big screen captivating audiences around the globe.
Travel back in time to the inception of Mattel Toys to unravel the origin of Barbie, and the complex legal history behind the doll’s inception and success. Learn the true story behind the doll’s “inspiration.” Discover how storied brands like Barbie have been able to register colors with their trademarks along with the legal parameters and precedents for doing so.
Listeners will navigate through the pivotal role of patents in safeguarding the Barbie doll brand, highlighting the contributions of rocket scientist turned toy doll inventor, John Ryan, and the key developments in toy doll mobility.
Barbie’s IP journey continues with your hosts exploring a legal battle involving trade secrets, focusing on the fierce competition between Mattel and MGA Entertainment over the Bratz dolls. Here the focus is on the critical concepts of "work for hire," "non-disclosure agreements," and “exit interviews,” as keys to protecting trade secrets in any industry.
Approaching the end of this enlightening journey, Michael and Joe explore the intersection of copyright law and the Barbie brand, analyzing the legal nuances of parody in copyright law through the lens of the infamous "Barbie Girl" song by Aqua and its repercussions in the legal world. They also touch upon the 2023 updated, “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, which samples Aqua’s song, offering a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving relationship between pop culture and IP law.
The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the complex yet fascinating relationship between the Barbie brand and all aspects of intellectual property law, celebrating the impressive achievements of Barbie in the world of IP. Tune in to this episode of IP Goes POP! and immerse yourself in the captivating (legal) world of Barbie, a brand that has left an indelible mark on both pop culture and the realm of intellectual property.
Key Moments in this Episode:
3:46 Genesis of Mattel Toys and the Barbie Brand
7:58 IP in the Barbie Universe: Trademarks
12:05 IP in the Barbie Universe: Patents
19:05 IP in the Barbie Universe: Trade Secrets
24:20 IP in the Barbie Universe: Copyright
29:56 Final Thoughts
For full show notes and to explore more episodes, please visit www.vklaw.com/newsroom-podcasts.
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