Litigating Barbie: Trade Mark Infringement, Parody and Free Speech

Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, Volume 47 Number 1 (2023)

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Working Paper (July 2022)

31 Pages Posted: 26 Jul 2022 Last revised: 17 Feb 2023

See all articles by M. P. Ram Mohan

M. P. Ram Mohan

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

Aditya Gupta

Public.Resource.Org; National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi

Date Written: Feb 15, 2023

Abstract

In the contemporary marketplace, trade marks are not mere monikers of origin. While often regarded as commercial symbols, trade marks sometimes become part of the commonplace vocabulary and are indelibly linked to expressing ideas and thoughts. In recent years, the dichotomy of expansive protection offered through the trade mark law and use of marks as part of expressive vocabulary has become increasingly controversial. One such trade mark which has amassed immense communicative strength is Mattel Inc.’s Barbie. The mark has assumed an enduring prominence in contemporary language and has assumed the status of a cultural icon. The present study examines the regulation of expressive secondary uses of trade marks by employing Barbie as a case study. Comparatively analysing the treatment of the Barbie mark in India, the USA, and Canada, the authors underline an imperative need to adopt a legislative framework to protect the expressive and artistic secondary use of popular trade marks.

Keywords: Trade Mark, Barbie, Parody, Free Speech

Suggested Citation

M. P., Ram Mohan and Gupta, Aditya, Litigating Barbie: Trade Mark Infringement, Parody and Free Speech (Feb 15, 2023). Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, Volume 47 Number 1 (2023), Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Working Paper (July 2022), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4164067 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4164067

Ram Mohan M. P. (Contact Author)

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad ( email )

Vastrapur
Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380015
India

Aditya Gupta

Public.Resource.Org ( email )

National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi ( email )

AT- Nagri, Kanke-Pithoria Road
Kanke
Ranchi, 834006
India

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