• Latest
    • AI
    • Careers
    • Copyright
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Events Videos
    • Law firm news
    • Trade secrets
  • In-house
  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • Jurisdictions
    • Europe
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australasia
    • Africa
    • Unified Patent Court
  • Rankings
    • About Rankings
    • Practice Area Rankings
    • Global In-House Elite 2026
    • Diversity & Inclusion Top 100 2025
    • Leaders 2025
    • Directory
  • WIPR Insights
    • Magazines
    • IP services: Product walk-throughs
    • Whitepapers
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • Events schedule
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • Login


Request Trial
  • Home
  • Copyright
  • Nirvana sues artist over rights to smiley face TM
shutterstock_1150171472_fabio_diena
13 November 2020CopyrightMuireann Bolger

Nirvana sues artist over rights to smiley face TM

The company representing grunge band Nirvana has sued graphic designer Robert Fisher to clarify who owns the rights to its iconic ‘smiley face’ logo.

Already registered?

Login to your account


If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.

For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

Copyright
Judge sends Nirvana copyright case over Dante’s Inferno image to UK
25 October 2021   A district judge had dismissed a lawsuit accusing Nirvana of infringing the copyright in an illustration of Dante’s ‘Upper Hell’, after determining that the appropriate forum to litigate the copyright complaint brought by a British individual, is the UK.
Copyright
Marc Jacobs rejects Nirvana ‘smiley face’ copyright claim
13 March 2019   Marc Jacobs has asked a court to dismiss a copyright infringement suit after the company representing former rock band Nirvana accused it of using a logo without authorisation.
Copyright
Lawyers cast doubt on Nirvana claims against Marc Jacobs
3 January 2019   Lawyers have told WIPR that a lawsuit which argues that Marc Jacobs International infringed IP owned by former rock band Nirvana may not be strong enough to secure victory.


Editor's picks

Synthetic deception: Deepfakes create new frontier of IP risk
In-House
Synthetic deception: Deepfakes create new frontier of IP risk
20 April 2026

Editor's picks

In-House
Synthetic deception: Deepfakes create new frontier of IP risk
20 April 2026
Patents
IP theft a major concern for automotive companies, US report shows
14 April 2026
Future of IP
IP finance gap risks startup exodus, EUIPO warns
13 April 2026
Trademarks
Yuga Labs wraps up ‘Bored Ape’ NFT row
13 April 2026
Trademarks
Judge questions X’s use of ‘Twitter’ in TM fight with Operation Bluebird
10 April 2026
Patents
UK patent office adopts EPO standards for AI inventions
7 April 2026

More articles

INTA 2026: In-house tips on what to do in London
Synthetic deception: Deepfakes create new frontier of IP risk
A quantum leap? UK’s ‘commercialisation skills centre’ plays key role in tech ambition
US court merges overlapping Shein v Temu lawsuits
Greenspoon Marder expands LA office with 10 new hires
In-house view: ‘External counsel must have commercial judgement'
Temu joins IACC amid suits, probes and scrutiny
Winston & Strawn nabs ITC whizz from McDermott

  • Home
  • News
  • Directory
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Subscription

WIPR
Newton Media Ltd
Kingfisher House
21-23 Elmfield Road
BR1 1LT
United Kingdom

  • Twitter
  • Linkedin