Issue No. 033
July 27, 2026
New York
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The IP Briefing · by ESCA Legal
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| Universal initiated takedown procedures after a high-quality unauthorized copy of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey spread on X. |
| § | A full-length copy circulated on X over the weekend and accumulated millions of views. | | § | Universal said it began takedown procedures after learning of the unauthorized posts. | | § | Most copies appeared to be unavailable by Sunday morning. | | § | The studio said it would pursue appropriate remedies to protect the film and its intellectual property rights. |
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| Continue reading → |
| § ESCA Takeaway |
| Copyright and trademark rights often meet audiences where culture moves fastest: social platforms, sports personas, branded posts, and streaming services. This issue follows owners using takedowns, trademark examination, litigation, and injunctions to control those uses. |
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| More IP Stories |
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| § Trademark · Filed |
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| The USPTO issued initial refusals against ICEMAN trademark applications filed by Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin. |
| § | Williams applied to register ICEMAN and related designs for clothing and other goods after adopting the nickname. | | § | Gervin later applied for ICEMAN 44 and claims longstanding association with the same nickname. | | § | The USPTO cited an existing ICEMAN registration owned by LaCrosse Footwear for insulated boots and liners. | | § | The initial refusals can be answered, and the earlier filing dates could create a later priority dispute between the athletes. |
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Why it matters
A famous nickname does not guarantee a clean path to registration. Existing rights in related goods and evidence of use can complicate a personal-brand expansion even when the applicants are widely recognized.
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| § Copyright · Filed |
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| Watson Music Group sued Baltimore restaurant chain Ekiben over the alleged use of the Space Jam theme song in a promotional Instagram video. |
| § | The complaint concerns an Instagram promotion posted in April 2024. | | § | Watson claims exclusive rights to the song and alleges that Ekiben used it without permission. | | § | The challenged video was no longer available on Ekiben's Instagram account when the suit became public. | | § | Ekiben had not publicly responded to the allegations. |
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Why it matters
Music available inside a social platform is not automatically cleared for every branded commercial use. A short promotional post can create a separate licensing dispute when a business pairs recognizable music with its marketing.
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| § Copyright · Update |
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| A Nevada federal judge limited CUE Broadcast from retransmitting 23 channels identified by Dish Network and Sling TV while allowing the internet television company to resume the rest of its service. |
| § | Dish and Sling allege that CUE retransmitted their channels without authorization. | | § | An earlier temporary restraining order had halted CUE's full operation and authorized preservation of evidence from a Nevada data center. | | § | The July 15 injunction narrowed the restriction to 23 channels while leaving an asset freeze in place. | | § | CUE denies unlawful activity and says it obtains programming through agreements with content providers. |
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Why it matters
Streaming injunctions can turn on the precision of the alleged infringement. The narrowed order limits identified channels while preserving the defendant's broader service, showing how courts can tailor early relief around the available evidence.
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This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Published by ESCA Legal. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising; prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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