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Toward A Coherent Theory Of Strict Tort Liability For Trademark Licensors, David Franklyn

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In this Article, I argue that the control tightrope and the general indeterminacy of licensor liability law is neither necessary nor desirable. Once the courts acknowledge that the relevant task is to design a set of flexible vicarious liability rules-rules that account for licensor control and involvement but which do not require proof of agency--constructing a coherent theory of licensor liability should be possible. The challenge is to articulate a set of rules that will impose strict (vicarious) liability on licensors who are not mere passive investors but who exert substantial control over their licensees, and who use the licensing …