Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Intellectual Property Law
Brand Renegades, Jeremy N. Sheff
Brand Renegades, Jeremy N. Sheff
Faculty Publications
Recent appearances of trademarks in popular culture-in rap lyrics, on reality TV shows, even in youth riots have raised the question whether the owners of those trademarks might pursue legal remedies to protect their brands from unwanted social associations. This Article argues that they cannot, and that we should understand this limitation on trademark rights as grounded in a principle that consumption of certain brands is an expressive act that First Amendment principles place outside trademark owners' control.