Category: Film Industry

Expert WitnessFilm IndustryMediaTrademark Infringement

Trademarks: The Fight for “Dunder Mifflin” Rights

on August 16, 2022

NBCUniversal, LLC has made headlines once again, but this time, it is not to announce a new show or streaming service. On July 1st, 2022, the media conglomerate filed a lawsuit against Jay Kennette Media Group for trademark infringement of the fictional paper company, “Dunder Mifflin,” from the hit U.S. adaptation of The Office (DEADLINE). The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. As the lawsuit is in its inception details are limited. In this month’s blog post, readers can expect to find background information leading up to the filed lawsuit, explanations about trademarks and their significance, and insight from Trademark, Copyright, and Apparel Experts.com Member, Mr. Antonio R. Sarabia II.

From 2005-2013, the American version of The Office, starring Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, and John Krasinski, chronicled the peculiarities and typical workday of office employees at Dunder Mifflin paper company. To say the show was successful is a gross understatement. According to The Washington Post, The Office received 42 Emmy nominations and won a total of 5 nominations during its nine seasons. It recently surpassed another successful NBC sitcom, Friends, for the most streamed show on Netflix in 2020. Given its impact on the public and pop culture, it was sensible for NBCUniversal to keep The Office in-house with the release of its subsidiary, Peacock TV, that same year. The network also attempted to register the trademark for the faux company name for merchandising and sales purposes, but because the Jay Kennette Media Group beat them to the punch in 2016, The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied NBCUniversal’s application.

Other than the situation on which this lawsuit is based, the Jay Kennette Media Group is known to register trademarks that belong to other companies and has thus garnered the reputation of an alleged “trademark squatter.” Mr. Sarabia defines a “trademark squatter” as “someone who takes the trademark of another and registers it before the owner does, usually with the intent to sell it back to the rightful owner.” Whether the media group planned to sell the Dunder Mifflin trademark back to NBCUniversal is unknown, but given the recent lawsuit filing, the outcome of who receives the fictional company’s trademark will now be decided by the judge. According to DEADLINE, “The lawsuit aims to end Jay Kennette Media’s use of the Dunder Mifflin name and destroy any remaining branded merchandise. The plaintiffs – NBCUniversal Media LLC, Universal Television LLC, and Universal Studios Licensing – also seek unspecified damages and any profits already derived from sales of the merchandise.” With the background information of this lawsuit in mind, let’s delve into how trademarks are licensed and their importance with further knowledge from Mr. Sarabia.

Q: What are the steps to registering a trademark?

Mr. Sarabia: First, file the application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, then respond to any request for changes from them. In some cases, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will reject the application for conflict with a prior application or registration. Assuming that does not happen, next the application is published for opposition. When an application is published for opposition, anyone who believes the application conflicts with their right may oppose the application. That rarely happens. If there is no opposition, the application proceeds, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issues a Notice of Allowance. If proof of use has already been filed, the application will proceed to registration. If proof of use has not been filed, the applicant has time to file that, but it must be done before the mark is registered.

Q: What is the benefit of registering a trademark?

Mr. Sarabia: A registered trademark has nationwide protection and improved damages in case a lawsuit is necessary.

Q: The Jay Kennentte Media Group has become known for being an alleged “trademark squatter.” How prevalent are “trademark squatters?”

Mr. Sarabia: Very common, though less likely in the U.S. than in other countries.

Q: How can businesses prevent being negatively impacted by “trademark squatters”?

Mr. Sarabia: Make sure that their marks are registered in each country in which they sell products or offer services and in those countries in which products are manufactured.

Q: NBCUniversal submitted their trademark application for the fictional paper company, Dunder Mifflin, several years after The Office ended. Is it normal for businesses to delay registering trademarks for products or names?

Mr. Sarabia: It is common, particularly in a situation in which the company is fictional. In other situations, there may be delays because the company may not consider how important trademarks are to its business, a mistake.

A special thank you to Trademark, Copyright, and Apparel Experts.com Member, Mr. Sarabia for graciously taking the time to participate in this month’s blog topic. This post will be updated once a settlement has been determined.

Accident SafetyBallisticsFilm IndustryFirearmsWorkplace Safety

Firearm Safety: Crime Lab Ballistics Expert Weighs In On Rust Film Prop Mishap

on January 12, 2022

On October 21st, 2021, filming his latest movie, Rust, Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun containing live ammunition, unbeknownst to him, which ended Director of Photography Halyna Hutchins’s life and injured Director Joel Souza. A Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office spokesperson claimed a search warrant was issued, and the investigation is ongoing. On the day of the event, Balwin published a statement expressing his grief and disbelief over the situation. Although fully cooperating with the police, on December 2nd, 2021, he revealed in an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, “Someone is responsible for what happened, and I can’t say who that is, but I know it’s not me.” Considering how identical incidents have occurred in the past, like the passing of Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon Lee, this devastating accident raises questions about firearm safety protocols within the entertainment industry and perhaps more suitable working conditions for members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). This blog post will address these issues with insight from Expert.com Member and Crime Lab Ballistics Expert, Mr. Francis T. “Jay” Jarvis.

The sequence of events leading up to the accidental death of Halyna Hutchins involved three people. According to Fox News, “Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed placed the prop gun outside of the church set location on a cart with other prop guns due to the coronavirus restrictions. The next person to handle it was assistant Director Dave Halls, who handed it off to Baldwin, announcing that it was a “cold gun,” a term used to indicate to those on-set that the firearm was not loaded and therefore safe to handle.” The article also highlighted how Director Joel Souza was confused about the presence of ammunition on set in the first place. According to Mr. Jarvis, “An armorer or a movie production would be responsible to make sure no live ammunition is permitted on-set, only blanks. It should be very easy to tell the difference between the two types of ammunition.” Unfortunately, there were existing gun safety problems for the Rust crew even before the fatal tragedy.

(Photo Credit: ABC News)

According to the LA Times, safety regulations were not thoroughly enforced on set. Before the significant incident resulting in Hutchins’ death, Baldwin’s stunt-double fired two rounds by mistake after being notified the gun lacked bullets. A witness told the Times, “There should have been an investigation into what happened. There were no safety meetings. There was no assurance that it wouldn’t happen again. All they wanted to do was rush, rush, rush.” Another event that occurred prior to Baldwin’s misfire involved a cinematographer and various camera crew members protesting against their working conditions by walking off the set. “The camera operators and their assistants were frustrated by the conditions surrounding the low-budget film, including complaints about long hours, long commutes, and waiting for their paychecks….,” a statement from the Times. Rust Movie Productions reassured the public that safety is the utmost priority. Although they were unaware of formal complaints, internal investigations with the Santa Fe Police Department have already begun, according to upper management.

On December 16th, 2021, Detective Alexandria Hancock obtained a warrant to search Baldwin’s cellphone. Three weeks have passed, and Baldwin has yet to comply, inconsistent with his original promise to cooperate with Santa Fe Police. According to New York Times, he filmed a video of himself and posted it on Instagram on January 8th, 2022, stating, “Someone from another state can’t come to you and say, ‘Give me your phone. They can’t just go through your phone and take, you know, your photos or your love letters to your wife or what have you.’” His legal team speculates two reasons for Baldwin’s lack of cooperation. He may be worried about possible incriminating evidence, or he wants his conversations to stay private (New York Post). The Santa Fe Police Department is now working with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office in New York to retrieve Baldwin’s cellphone from his residence.

Mr. Jarvis explains the root of this preventable tragedy stems from inadequate safety measures for crew members and cast. He adds, “It sounds like a training issue, not a budget issue. There is no cost involved in following the number one safety rule as it applies to firearms. No live ammunition on the set. Teach people the difference between live ammunition and blanks. Teach people how to check a firearm to see if it is loaded.” As the investigation continues, only time will tell who is responsible for this tragedy. What is certain is the production company must ensure suitable working conditions for all cast and crew members, including the armorer, whose job is to manage all gun props diligently. However, the number one safety rule Jarvis references, the measure that would have prevented protests, injuries, and the loss of an innocent person’s life, is to “NEVER point a gun at anyone unless you intend to shoot them. Even if the gun is safe, you should NEVER do this.”