Legal Opinion
Twentieth Century Fox Television v. Empire Distribution, Inc.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Decided November 16, 2017No. 16-55577PublishedCited by 23 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
OPINION
M. SMITH, Circuit Judge:
Empire Distribution, Inc. appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company (collectively, Fox). Empire Distribution argues that the district court erred substantively and procedurally in holding that Fox’s use of the name “Empire” was protected by the First Amendment, and was therefore outside the reach of the Lanham Act, ch. 540, 60 Stat. 441 (1946) (codified as amended at 15 U.S.C. § 1125). We disagree, and affirm.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Empire Distribution, founded in…
2Cases cited10 opinions
- Amf Incorporated, a Corporation v. Sleekcraft Boats, a Sole Proprietorship, and Bruce E. Nescher, an IndividualCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1979
- Ginger Rogers v. Alberto Grimaldi, Mgm/ua Entertainment Co., and Pea Produzioni Europee Associate, S.R.L.Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 1989
- Glenn v. Washington CountyCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2011
- Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. v. Penguin Books Usa, Inc., a Corporation Dove Audio, Inc., a CorporationCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1997
- Mattel, Inc. v. MCA Records, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2002
5 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by23 opinions
- Christopher Gordon v. Drape Creative, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2018
- Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. v. Comicmix LLCCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2020
- Punchbowl, Inc. v. Aj Press, LLCCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2024
- Vip Products LLC v. Jack Daniel's Properties, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2020
- PUNCHBOWL, INC. V. AJ PRESS, LLCCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 2022
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