Happy National Dog Day!

National Dog Day is a time to celebrate the loyal companions who bring joy, love, and the occasional muddy paw print into our lives. From guiding the blind to detecting drugs, dogs have proven themselves invaluable to humanity in countless ways. But did you know that our four-legged friends have also found themselves at the centre of some fascinating intellectual property (IP) battles? Today, as we honour man's best friend, let's explore a few cases where dogs have trotted into the courtroom, wagging their tails and leaving paw prints on the law.

Snoop Dogg..!

We can’t talk about dogs and not lead with the Dogg – Snoop Dogg. The rapper was high-profile at the recent Paris 2024 Olympics and has been dubbed “America’s cheerleader” as he dressed up in full equestrian gear for the mounted sports and danced with the gymnastics team. It isn’t, however, all paw-sitive vibes and the mega-star has found himself in the IP doghouse.

In July this year, a lawsuit was filed in court that claims that Snoop Dogg has refused to pay a studio musician after using two of his backing tracks. The claimant alleges that he created two backing tracks “on spec” and allowed Snoop Dogg to experiment with them but made it clear an upfront fee and ongoing royalties would need to be paid if the songs were released commercially. Two songs, featuring the work of the studio musician, have allegedly been released but no formal licensing deal was ever struck and no money has ever been sent to the claimant.

This case serves as a lesson that should be taught in puppy school: Secure your IP and only allow third-party use under the terms of a clear, unambiguous, contract.

Glass of Pawsecco anyone?

In 2018, Woof and Brew Limited tried, and failed, to register ‘Pawsecco’ as a UK trade mark in Class 31 for its edible pet treats. The application was successfully opposed by the organisation responsible for the protection of the protected designation of origin (PDO) PROSECCO.

The opposition was based on a number of grounds, but the best in show was that Pawsecco evoked the PDO Prosecco. It was found that, “The mark, and the pun of which it consists, does not work if Prosecco is not evoked. Thus, for the type of product shown in the evidence, there is clear evocation of the PDO.” The decision was upheld by Mr. Geoffrey Hobbs KC on Appeal.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

The Baha Men unleashed the fun when they released "Who Let the Dogs Out?". The song, an earworm that became a global hit in the early 2000s, found life a bit ruff when it became the centre of a copyright dispute. Several parties claimed to have written the hook, leading to a complex legal tussle over who had the right to the royalties. The case was eventually settled, but not before it highlighted the importance of clear agreements in creative collaborations - something as crucial as a leash in a busy park.

As we celebrate National Dog Day, it's clear that dogs not only enrich our lives but also play unexpected roles in the world of intellectual property. From trade marks to copyright battles, our furry friends have inspired creativity and controversy alike. So, as you scratch your pup behind the ears or toss them a bone today, remember that they may just be one "ruff" lawsuit away from making legal history. And always keep your paws on your IP rights—after all, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there!