Emojis and Intellectual Property Law

5 Pages Posted: 25 Nov 2018 Last revised: 6 May 2022

See all articles by Eric Goldman

Eric Goldman

Santa Clara University - School of Law

Gabriella Ziccarelli

Santa Clara University School of Law

Date Written: 2018

Abstract

Everyone loves emojis, and why not? They are a fun and an increasingly ubiquitous way for people to express themselves. But despite their superficial frivolity, emojis can raise potentially complex and serious legal issues, including novel and complicated questions about intellectual property (IP). This essay surveys how United States IP law protects emojis, and why such protection may be problematic.

Keywords: emoji, emoticon, copyright, trademark, intellectual property

JEL Classification: K1

Suggested Citation

Goldman, Eric and Ziccarelli, Gabriella, Emojis and Intellectual Property Law (2018). Santa Clara Univ. Legal Studies Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3275803 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3275803

Eric Goldman (Contact Author)

Santa Clara University - School of Law ( email )

500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
United States
408-554-4369 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ericgoldman.org

Gabriella Ziccarelli

Santa Clara University School of Law ( email )

500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
United States

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