Microsoft denied "Killer Instinct" trademark, as Microsoft-Google patent fight rests on "fairness" definition and Motorola is denied injuction against Microsoft in patent suit. Microsoft-Intel push to combat Apple in tablet space, meanwhile, seen as "sputtering."

American Suzuki forges ahead with incentives amid US wind down.

Apple wins six new design patents, sees increasing pricing tension with retailers and Steve Jobs bio pic starring Ashton Kutcher heading to Sundance.

Applebee's plans to open "green" restaurant in New York's Harlem where Hot Bread Kitchen is a rising local brand.

Balenciaga hires designer Alexander Wang as creative chief.

Baxter agrees to buy medical-equipment maker Gambro in company's biggest acquisition.Continue reading...

Buzzmedia, the parent company to a host of buzz-worthy websites, pitches itself as the web leader in pop culture and millennial audience reach.

The company boasts 100 million monthly unique visitors to category-leading websites including Buzznet, Celebuzz, AbsolutePunk, GoFugYourself, JustJared, Stereogum, TheSuperficial, WWTDD, SocialiteLife, Idolator, PureVolume plus celebrity sites for Kim Kardashian, Whitney Port, and Kimora Lee Simmons.

Collectively, its stable of digital brands reaches more than 25 million pop culture enthusiasts monthly, with site visitors having grown 50% between March 2010/2011, and overall, is ranked #1 among comScore’s top 100 sites in composition index against P18-34.

We spoke with CEO, Tyler Goldman, who oversees about 200 employees in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and home-base Los Angeles. Goldman has earned his stripes as a digital publisher and entrepreneur, and has a net worth of $20 million to show it.Continue reading...

It's sexy sex time!

Not to be outdone by all the sexing sex talk between Catholic leaders concerned with religious freedom and the Obama administration's mandate on providing birth control, brands got into the prophylactastic fun.

Are you ready for an almost-entirely NSFW post? Okay! First, there's the Louis Vuitton condom that wasn't.Continue reading...

Adidas taps Katy Perry for new campaign.

AFL-CIO launches image campaign.

Airbus posts record sales.

American Airlines stops flying to India, sacks 150 workers.

AOL leads companies testing crowdsourcing.

Apple expands iTunes Match, reportedly preps interactive textbooks for the iPad, while pre-earnings valuations vary.

BASF halts its genetically modified products in Europe, including its Amflora potato.

Beats Electronics breaks up with Monster.

Beyonce accused of skin-lightening in album promotion, gives first post-baby interview.

BlackBerry-maker RIM criticized by analysts for PlayBook incompatability.

BMW recalls 89,000 Mini vehicles.

Burberry quarterly profits jump 22%.

Carnival faces heat in wake of Italy shipwreck, its worst accident in 40 years, as environmental fears mount and cruise industry is rocked.

M&M's will introduce a sixth candy character — Ms. Brown — in its Super Bowl commercial, while Kia plans 60-second commercial with Adriana Lima and Motley Crue, in keeping with trend to longer Super Bowl spots.Continue reading...

BMW projected to beat Mercedes-Benz for US luxury crown.

PepsiCo reportedly mulls layoffs and salary freeze to appease Wall Street.

Kodak bankruptcy report in WSJ slams stock price.

Apple hires Adobe exec to oversee iAds, threatens to sue company behind Steve Jobs doll and rises at Foxconn's expense.

Australia's Commonwealth Bank crowdsources customer ideas.

Arm & Hammer ordered to pull TV commercial criticizing cat litter competitor.

Audi's China sales outstrip Germany.

Boeing closes premier factory in Wichita.

Burberry is now the most popular luxury brand on Facebook, as YouTube, MTV and Coca-Cola lead in FB engagement.Continue reading...

Victoria's Secret was just accused (by a Bloomberg News investigation) of using child labor; this week it's the Kardashians' turn on the hot seat.

Kim Kardashian and her controversy-stirring family are being accused of using sweatshops to manufacture the K-DASH and Kris Jenner Kollection lines for QVC,  by the US-based Institute for Global Labor and Human Rights, according to a report in Star magazine (via Radar). The family responded via a rep that they're unaware of such conditions but are taking the allegations "very seriously."

Other brands being targeted by the global labor and sweatshop watchdog include a Chinese manufacturer of Hasbro's Transformers toys; the Dallas Cowboys; and Walmart, the NFL and NCAA. (Update: Charles Kernaghan, executive director of The Institute for Global Labor and Human Rights, tells TMZ he was misquoted.)

Arnold Palmer re-brands for a generation who never knew the golfing legend.

Audiovox rebrands to Voxx International.

BlackBerry-maker RIM warns about profit outlook.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz race to the wire for 2011 luxury-sales crown in U.S.

Boeing takes its Dreamliner on a "world tour."

Chick-fil-A spat with t-shirt maker hits the New York Times.

Corona brings beach experience to London.Continue reading...

Abercrombie & Fitch tells investors it discounted prices too much.

Accenture calls on clients to help make a statement.

American Airlines and union plan to return to talks.

Apple's iPhone passes BlackBerry as business favorite.

BP faces charges over Alaska spill.

Chrysler plans to invest heavily in building Jeeps in Toledo, Ohio.

Corona brings back long-time holiday spot.

Delphi prices IPO at $22 a share.

DirecTV unveils dramatic man-vs.-wolf action in new spot.

GE bets on software development.Continue reading...