Key Takeaways

  • Intellectual property law cases establish how courts interpret copyrights, patents, and trademarks in evolving industries.
  • Famous disputes like Apple v. Samsung and Google v. Oracle redefined technology and software ownership boundaries.
  • Trademark cases such as Adidas v. Thom Browne highlight the balance between brand protection and fair competition.
  • Copyright conflicts like The Music Industry v. Napster shaped digital rights management and online music distribution.
  • Understanding these landmark intellectual property law cases helps creators and companies avoid infringement and protect innovation.

Intellectual property cases can be very complex, costly, and time-consuming. This type of case is brought due to a violation of an intellectual property right. Such rights consist of copyright, patent, and trademark rights. Therefore, if a legal suit arises, it will be for one of the following types of violations:

  1. Copyright infringement
  2. Patent infringement
  3. Trademark infringement

Before creating something or using a design or name for your own invention, you should first check to see if it has some sort of intellectual property protection, since using it without prior consent can result in an intellectual property case, which could be very costly for you and your business.

There have been several well-known historical intellectual property cases litigated in the past. While some might be more popular, others could be cases that you might have never heard about. Below are some historical intellectual property cases that you might not have ever learned about.

S. Victor Whitmill v. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

If you’ve ever seen The Hangover Part II, you might remember the part where Ed Helms character wakes up one morning with a tribal tattoo around his eye. The tattoo itself is very similar to a tattoo that Mike Tyson also has. Immediately before the movie came out, Mike Tyson’s tattoo artist, S. Victor Whitmill, brought a legal suit against Warner Bros alleging copyright infringement. Whitmill had previously obtained copyright protection for Tyson’s tattoo, which he did 8 years before. Therefore, he brought a suit alleging that using his tattoo design without his prior consent constituted infringement.

Whitmill requested an injunction on the release of the movie, which was denied by the judge. However, it didn’t get to that point since both parties agreed to settle on an undisclosed amount.

Isaac Newton v. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

In the late 1600s, mathematician and theorist Gottfried W. Leibniz invented calculus. However, in 1704, Isaac Newton issued a book indicating that he was the creator of calculus. Thereafter, a battle ensued between both men. While Leibniz might have created calculus, he didn’t share his creation with many people, rather only sharing with some colleagues. Newton then claimed that Leibniz plagiarized a previous document that Newton had circulated to the public. However, before the case could be settled, Leibniz passed away in 1716. Note that today, many people believe that both men were the inventors of calculus.

Kellogg Co. v. National Biscuit Co.

In the late 1800s, Henry Perky created Shredded Whole Wheat cereal, which is popular today for its pillow-type shape. While John H. Kellogg spoke negatively about the cereal, indicating that it tasted horribly, the cereal itself became quite popular. But Perky passed away in 1908; his 2 patents (the machine that made the cereal and helped create its shape) had already expired. The Kellogg Company then began making the same cereal.

Thereafter, the National Biscuit Company, which was one of Perky’s companies, brought a legal suit against the Kellogg Company, alleging that Kellogg Co’s “shredded wheat” was an infringement. Kellogg however, argued that the legal suit brought against him was simply an attempt to dominate this specific market. The Judge ultimately sided with Kellogg stating that “shredded wheat” cannot be trademarked and the shape of the cereal can be copied since the patent expired. Therefore, Kellogg could continue making the cereal under the same name, using the same popular pillow shape.

Mattel Inc. v. MGA Entertainment Inc.

The Bratz dolls were created in 2001. During that time, the sale of Bratz dolls was 40% greater than the sale of Barbies, which had been around for decades by that time. But by 2005, the maker of Bratz dolls, MGA Entertainment Inc., brought a legal suit against toymaker Mattel Inc. alleging that one of the types of the defendant’s Barbies was an identical copy of the look of the Bratz dolls. Mattel then counter-sued claiming that Bratz creator, Carter Bryant, designed the Bratz doll while working for Mattel. Bryant worked at Mattel around 1995 to 1998 and again from 1999 to 2000. His Mattel employment contract specifically noted that any of the designs he came up with during his employment at Mattel would belong to his employer. The judge sided with Mattel, ruling that MGA must pay toymaker Mattel $100M and remove Bratz from all stores, which lasted for approximately one year.

Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co.

One of the most influential intellectual property law cases of the 21st century was Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co., which began in 2011. Apple accused Samsung of infringing on several of its design and utility patents related to the iPhone, including its rounded-edge design, app grid layout, and touch gestures. The U.S. District Court initially awarded Apple over $1 billion in damages, but the decision was later reduced after multiple appeals.This case highlighted the growing tension between protecting innovation and allowing competition in rapidly advancing tech industries. It reinforced that even simple design elements could receive patent protection and influenced how tech companies handle product development and licensing

Google LLC v. Oracle America, Inc.

In Google LLC v. Oracle America, Inc., the dispute revolved around whether Google’s use of Java API code in the Android operating system constituted copyright infringement. Oracle argued that Google copied 11,500 lines of Java code without permission, seeking billions in damages. Google countered that its use fell under the fair use doctrine, as the APIs were necessary for interoperability and innovation.In 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Google’s favor, determining that its use of Java APIs was fair use under copyright law. The decision was a turning point for software development, clarifying how copyright applies to functional code and APIs — a critical precedent for developers and tech companies worldwide

The Music Industry v. Napster

The Music Industry v. Napster case was a defining moment in digital copyright law. Napster, a peer-to-peer file-sharing platform, allowed users to share music files freely, leading to widespread copyright violations. Major record labels and artists, including Metallica and Dr. Dre, filed lawsuits alleging massive copyright infringement.In 2001, the courts ruled against Napster, forcing it to shut down its service. The case reshaped the music industry and paved the way for legitimate streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. It emphasized that facilitating or enabling mass infringement could incur liability, even without directly distributing infringing material

Adidas AG v. Thom Browne Inc.

In this 2023 trademark infringement case, Adidas sued fashion house Thom Browne for using a four-stripe design on its apparel, claiming it closely resembled Adidas’s iconic three-stripe trademark. Thom Browne defended its use, arguing that its design had distinct spacing and aesthetic purpose, not meant to confuse consumers.The jury ruled in favor of Thom Browne, determining there was no likelihood of confusion. This case underscored how trademark law balances brand protection against fostering creative competition in fashion. It also reinforced that not all similar-looking designs constitute infringement if consumer confusion is unlikely

Gucci America Inc. v. Guess Inc.

Gucci America Inc. v. Guess Inc. was a long-running trademark dispute concerning Guess’s use of similar logos, patterns, and design elements that Gucci claimed mimicked its iconic “G” symbols and diamond motifs. Filed in 2009, the case spanned several jurisdictions, including the U.S. and Europe.The outcome was mixed: while Gucci won some claims, Guess was allowed to continue using certain disputed designs. The case highlighted the complexities of enforcing brand distinctiveness in global fashion markets and demonstrated how fashion houses use intellectual property litigation to preserve brand identity

VLSI Technology LLC v. Intel Corporation

In one of the largest patent verdicts in U.S. history, VLSI Technology LLC v. Intel Corporation resulted in a $2.18 billion damages award against Intel in 2021. VLSI claimed Intel infringed two of its patents related to microprocessor power-saving technologies. Intel argued that the patents were invalid and not used in its products.While the case continues through appeals, it has drawn attention to the growing role of patent-holding entities (often called “patent trolls”) and how patent litigation can impact innovation in the semiconductor industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are intellectual property law cases important?

They define the legal boundaries of innovation, helping determine how creative and technical works can be protected, shared, or licensed.

2. What was the main issue in Apple v. Samsung?

Apple claimed Samsung’s smartphones copied its patented iPhone designs and features, leading to significant damages and setting precedent for design patents.

3. How did the Napster case affect online music?

It forced stricter copyright enforcement in the digital space and led to the development of legitimate music streaming platforms.

4. What was at stake in Google v. Oracle?

The case decided whether software APIs can be copyrighted and whether their use can qualify as fair use under copyright law.

5. How do intellectual property law cases affect businesses today?

They influence product design, software development, and branding strategies, ensuring companies respect existing IP rights while encouraging innovation.

If you need help learning about intellectual property cases, or if you believe that you are the victim of trademark or copyright infringement, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel’s marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5-percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law, and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.