Famous Copyrights
This globally recognized theme park’s music, including iconic songs like “It’s a Small World” and “A Whole New World,” are protected under copyright law.
Disney (Disney theme park music and songs)
This tech company holds a patent for the device that changed smartphones forever, the touchscreen.
Apple (iPhone touchscreen)
This fast-food chain uses a red-and-yellow logo featuring a smiling clown.
McDonald's
This company’s secret recipe for fried chicken is locked away in a vault, and the ingredients are only known to a few employees.
KFC (11 herbs and spices)
This tech company was sued for copying the look and feel of the iPhone with its "Galaxy" line of smartphones.
Samsung (against Apple)
The copyright for this best-selling series about vampires and werewolves is owned by Stephenie Meyer.
Twilight
This game-changing company patented the first electric car that was mass-produced, starting with the Model S.
Tesla (Electric cars)
This popular sneaker brand’s logo is a “swoosh,” and it's one of the biggest names in sportswear. This online service, known for streaming movies and shows, uses a red-and-white logo and is known for its "binge-watching" culture.
Nike
The recipe for this world-famous sauce is a trade secret that many people have tried (and failed) to replicate.
Chick-fil-A (Chicken Sandwich sauce)
This company faced a huge lawsuit after a music streaming service was accused of infringing copyrights by playing songs without permission.
Spotify (against record labels)
This pop star's music video for “Bad Blood” became a cultural sensation, and is protected under copyright.
Taylor Swift
This streaming service holds a patent for its “recommendation algorithm,” deciding which shows you should watch next.
Netflix
This clothing brand’s logo includes an iconic red polo player.
Ralph Lauren
This online company keeps its shopping algorithm secret to recommend the best products for you.
Amazon (Product recommendation algorithm)
This online retailer was sued for selling counterfeit versions of popular designer handbags.
Amazon (selling counterfeit products)
This 2012 hit song by Gotye, known for its catchy melody and lyrics, was involved in a copyright lawsuit after the artist was accused of copying a section of a song by The Police.
“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye (Copyright lawsuit with The Police's “Every Breath You Take”)
This device, invented by James Dyson, uses cyclonic technology to create one of the most famous vacuum cleaners.
Dyson Vacuum
This energy drink company uses a red bull as part of its trademark, representing strength and endurance.
Red Bull
This soda company’s recipe, which has been kept under wraps for over a century, is stored in a vault in Atlanta, Georgia, to preserve its distinct taste.
Coca-Cola (Coca-Cola formula)
This fast-food chain was involved in a trademark dispute with a smaller local business over a similar name for their restaurants.
McDonald’s (against McCurry, an Indian restaurant)
This 1998 animated film, which introduced a beloved green ogre, was involved in a major copyright dispute over the character design, where a former animator claimed the character was copied from earlier designs they had worked on.
Shrek (DreamWorks) - Copyright dispute over character design with former animator
This company holds a patent for the technology that made online shopping carts possible.
Amazon (Online shopping cart)
This coffee company’s green and white logo, is recognized worldwide.
Starbucks
This secret recipe from a pizza company ensures that it stays at the top of the fast-food pizza market.
Papa John’s (Pizza recipe)
This famous clothing brand sued a rapper for using their logo without permission on merchandise.
Nike (against Lil Nas X for the "Satan Shoes" controversy)