Fort Lauderdale Sports, IP & Entertainment Law Attorneys | Heitner Legal
A high-stakes lawsuit reveals the complex intersection of social media fame, copyright law, and unauthorized commercial use In a case that highlights the evolving challenges of intellectual property in the digital age, FJerry LLC—the company behind the wildly popular “DudeWithSign” social media phenomenon—has filed a federal lawsuit against Cookie Enterprises, Inc. for allegedly copying their […]
In a stunning intersection of celebrity sports law and luxury real estate litigation, a Hawaii state court complaint filed on August 8, 2025, has thrust Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo into a complex legal battle involving tortious interference and unjust enrichment claims. The case, filed in Hawaii’s First Circuit […]
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Trademark Tuesday – our new weekly series celebrating the trademark registrations that crossed the finish line each Tuesday. Weekly, we will showcase the brands and businesses that have achieved federal trademark protection, highlighting the innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking behind each successful registration. This week marks an especially exciting […]
In a fascinating intersection of intellectual property and sports law, Baylor University has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Boston University, challenging Boston’s use of an interlocking “BU” design that Baylor claims is “essentially identical” to its own federally registered trademark. Filed in the Western District of Texas on August 8, 2025, this case […]
Your trademark registration represents years of brand building, customer recognition, and business investment. Yet many business owners don’t realize that failing to renew their trademark registration on time can result in losing these valuable rights entirely. Understanding the USPTO’s renewal requirements and the strategic advantage of seeking incontestability during your first renewal can be the […]
In the rapidly evolving landscape of business and entertainment, protecting your brand identity has never been more crucial. At Heitner Legal, we’ve had the privilege of helping diverse clients across industries secure valuable trademark registrations throughout 2025, each representing not just legal protection but a strategic investment in their future success. Building Brand Fortress: Our […]
Have you received a demand letter from Visual Rights Group claiming that you have used an unlicensed image from a photographer such as Vincent Laforet Productions, Inc.? If so, then you are among many who have received such a letter. We have had numerous clients send us these letters from Visual Rights Group for review, […]
The recent ruling in Jett Elad v. NCAA, decided on April 25, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in the District of New Jersey, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles over NCAA eligibility rules. This case, centered on the NCAA’s “Five-Year Rule” and its application to junior college (JUCO) time, […]
The recent MARATAC, INC. lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-20633) presents complex legal challenges for named defendants. This action alleges trademark infringement, counterfeiting, false designation of origin, and unfair competition under both the Lanham Act and Florida common law regarding the federally registered “ZULU” and “MARATAC” trademarks for watch bands […]
In a groundbreaking ESPN investigation, the complex world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts in college sports has been laid bare, revealing a landscape far more intricate and potentially problematic than most athletes—or fans—realize. The Control Mechanism: More Than Just a Contract As a sports attorney who has worked extensively with athletes and booster […]
In a significant ruling that adds another chapter to the ongoing legal battles over NCAA eligibility rules, the Eastern District of Tennessee has denied baseball player Alberto Osuna Sanchez’s request for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA’s junior college eligibility rule. This decision stands in contrast to several recent rulings that have chipped away at […]
In a significant ruling that could impact numerous pending challenges to NCAA eligibility rules, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia has denied a preliminary injunction sought by University of Georgia baseball player Dylan Goldstein, who had exhausted his NCAA eligibility but sought to play one additional season. The Case: Goldstein […]