Trademark Parodies: When is it OK to Laugh?, 6 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 72 (2006)

Authors

Emily Adelman

Abstract

In trademark parodies, there is a fine line between what is considered a First Amendment right to freedom of speech and what constitutes an unlawful appropriation, or trademark infringement. Current judicial decisions have been inconsistent across the different jurisdictions, thus making it unclear to parodists as to what may be lawfully appropriated when creating their parodies. This comment proposes that a new balancing test be used that is specific to trademark parodies. This new test will help to create more concrete guidelines that will reduce the amount of subjectivity that is currently used in trademark parody analysis.

Recommended Citation

Emily Adelman, Trademark Parodies: When is it OK to Laugh?, 6 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 72 (2006)