Emojis and Intellectual Property Law
5 Pages Posted: 25 Nov 2018 Last revised: 6 May 2022
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: 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
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