12.12.2025

[International IP Briefing] US, EU

 

US


Perplexity AI, Inc. Wins Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Over “Perplexity” in the United States

On October 29, 2025, Reuters and other media outlets reported that the artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI, Inc. (“Perplexity”) prevailed in a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by the software company Perplexity Solved Solutions (“PSS”) over the use of the name “Perplexity.”

(Factual Background)

In January 2025, PSS filed a trademark infringement action against Perplexity in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking to prohibit Perplexity from using the name “Perplexity” as its brand. 

. Founded in 2017, PSS provides software that leverages AI-driven data analysis to simplify complex business needs and improve communication and collaboration. PSS applied for registration of the trademark “Perplexity,” covering software services, with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in October 2021 and obtained trademark rights in 2022.

. Perplexity, established in 2022, is a company offering an AI-based search engine.

. PSS alleged that Perplexity attempted to acquire its trademark in 2023 but was refused, and further claimed that it sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity regarding use of the name in October 2024.

. PSS filed the lawsuit on grounds that Perplexity’s name would cause consumer confusion. Perplexity denied the infringement allegations, asserted that no consumer confusion had occurred, and filed a counterclaim seeking cancellation of PSS’s trademark registration.

(Procedural History)

In July 2025, PSS’s legal team from Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP requested to withdraw from representation, citing an “irreparable breakdown in the attorney-client relationship” that made continued representation impossible. The court granted the request in August 2025.

. The court made clear that because PSS is a corporate entity, (1) it may appear in federal court only through licensed counsel, and (2) failure to retain substitute counsel could result in a default judgment on the counterclaim and dismissal of its claims against the defendant.

(Court’s Decision)

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed the trademark infringement action filed by PSS.

. After the withdrawal of its legal team, PSS was unable to retain new counsel. Although PSS requested additional time due to financial difficulties, the court rejected the request on October 9, 2025.

. Perplexity subsequently asked the court to terminate the case because the plaintiff could not secure counsel to represent it.

 

< Source of this post >

https://www.kiip.re.kr/board/trend/view.do?bd_gb=trend&bd_cd=1&bd_item=0&po_item_gb=US&currentPage=2&po_no=23993

 

EU


EUIPO Releases Report on “Influencers and IP”

On November 10, 2025, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) published a report titled “Influencers and IP,” analyzing how social media influencers across the European Union (EU) perceive and engage with intellectual property (IP), as well as the impact they have on the online consumption behavior of younger generations.

(Overview)

Influencer marketing on social media continues its rapid growth and is now a major driver of global economic trends. The market is expected to reach approximately USD 32.55 billion in 2025. Social media influencers today play a significant role in shaping public opinion and cultural development in the digital era, exerting strong and influential power over the values and consumption patterns of EU citizens—especially younger generations.

(Key Findings)

The report is based on an online survey of 300 influencers active on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube across the 27 EU Member States. Major findings include the following:

1. Influencers’ Ownership of IP Rights (IPRs) and Its Impact on Professional Growth.

. A vast majority of respondents (92%) reported that they are professionally active and generate income through their social media content. However, only 18% of influencers indicated that they own IPRs such as trademarks, copyrights, or design rights.

. Influencers who owned IPRs tended to be at a more advanced entrepreneurial and creative stage: 55% of them owned their own brand, and 33% operated an online store.

. In comparison, among influencers without IPRs, only 24% owned their own brand, and just 14% operated an online store.

2. Influencers’ Respect for IP and Sense of Responsibility

. Influencers demonstrated a strong ethical awareness regarding respect for IP. A large majority stated that they actively avoid promoting counterfeit products (94%) and illegally copied digital content (93%) in their work.

. Additionally, 96% of respondents said they feel responsible for the influence their content has on the public, and 92% reported that they review the credibility and appropriateness of a brand before creating collaborative content.

3. Influencers and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

. Many influencers indicated that they actively incorporate AI into their creative workflows, with more than half (51%) saying they use AI “often” or “sometimes” in content production.

. Moreover, 47% expressed concern that their content could be altered by AI and used for others’ benefit, while 72% acknowledged the possibility that AI-generated outputs may infringe existing IPRs.

  

< Source of this post >

https://www.kiip.re.kr/board/trend/view.do?bd_gb=trend&bd_cd=1&bd_item=0&po_item_gb=EU&po_no=24014

 

 


No comments:

Post a Comment