Amazon settles suit with college bookstores.

Apple slapped with escalating legal challenge by China's Proview, which wants iPad name globally.

AT&T seeks fees from developers for users' data use.

Bank customers are increasingly switching to avoid fees.

Billabong rejects $906 million bid.

Buddy Media acquires London startup.

Chevrolet declared America's favorite performance brand.

Coca-Cola's Olympic security concerns revealed by Wikileaks.Continue reading...

Christian Louboutin is not about to let its very recognizable red sole get stepped on. The flash of color under spikey heels has become an identifying mark of the designer's high-priced shoes. Last August, Louboutin sought to protect that red sole in a case that pitted the iconic design house against another fashion legend, Yves Saint Laurent, who introduced shoes that were red all over, including the soles. But Louboutin was rebuffed by US District Judge Victor Marrero.

Hizzoner ruled that Christian Louboutin did not have a lock on the color red. In his opinion, Marrero wrote that "Louboutin's claim would cast a red cloud over the whole industry, cramping what other designers could do while allowing Louboutin to paint with a full palette. Louboutin would thus be able to market a total outfit in red, while other designers would not."

On Tuesday, Christian Louboutin was back in court, this time at the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, in an attempt to defend its right to exclusively use red, and specifically a tone it calls "China Red," on the soles of it shoes. Louboutin's attorney, Harley Lewin, told a three-judge panel that "Christian Louboutin has created one of the more iconic trademarks of the 21st century. Louboutin turned a pedestrian item into a thing of beauty."

Opposing attorney David Bernstein, arguing on behalf of Yves St. Laurent, countered "Artists of this type need the full palette of colors available. In order to compete and compete fairly, we need red. We don't want to find out that we can make green, blue, purple shoes... but we are enjoined from making red."Continue reading...

New York-based dancer Benjamin Millepied may be better known for being a parent with partner Natalie Portman these days, but the Black Swan choreographer-turned-actor is also getting into the endorsement business.

Above, check out "l'Envol," a balletic ode to flight, the new global branding spot for Air France. The simplicity and minimalism of the campaign is a dramatic contrast to British Airways' new heritage-based global campaign.

Millepied clearly likes French brands, as he also can be seen in a flighty new spot for Yves Saint Laurent, which you can watch below below.Continue reading...

Apple will introduce new iPhones next month, board member Al Gore confirms.

Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo are hit by ratings downgrades by Moody's.

Bill Gates tops 2011 Forbes 400 wealth ranker.

Facebook is introducing a 'listen with your friends' music app but faces challenges in digital entertainment.

Full Tilt Poker fires back at Justice Department.

Hulu invests in content even as it's for sale.

Netflix teams with Discovery for two-year deal.

News Corp. nixes a "Simpsons" channel but has big hopes for FX.Continue reading...

Christian Louboutin suffered a setback today when a New York judge rebuffed the brand's attempt to stop other brands — namely, rival French fashion brand Yves Saint Laurent — from adding a red sole to their high-heel shoes.

According to the Associated Press,

"U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero refused a request by Christian Louboutin to stop the sale of women's shoes with red soles by competitor Yves Saint Laurent S.A.S., another French company based in Paris. Though the ruling came at an early stage of consideration of a lawsuit Louboutin brought in April, the judge said it will probably be tossed out."

Marrero ruled that it's unlikely Louboutin could defend an "overly broad" trademark, which claims the lacquered red sole as a feature of its mark, that was granted in 2008 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Drawing an artistic analogy, the judge said Picasso couldn't legally prevent Monet from using a particular hue of indigo, and added that granting Louboutin exclusive use of the color red could hinder manufacturers of other items.Continue reading...

News Corp. executive accepts Rebekah Brooks resignation from News International as Rupert Murdoch is defiant as U.S. congressman calls for probe into his company over possible hacking of 9/11 victims.

Amazon tablet is coming in October.

Borders’ fate hangs in the balance as liquidation looms.

BP oil found to still be washing ashore in the Gulf of Mexico, reports Bloomberg.

Campbell addresses criticism for adding salt to 'healthy' soup line.

Clorox draws bid from Carl Icahn.Continue reading...

Airbus says Mideast unrest could wipe out up to 40% of orders.

Alfa Romeo delays planned return to US.

BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion plots a rebound.

BP flounders in Russia.

CBS prepares to part ways with Katie Couric, as Couric and Matt Lauer explore reteaming for a daytime syndicated talk show.

Charlie Sheen gets two standing ovations in NYC Sunday after bombing Friday.

Christian Louboutin sues Yves Saint Laurent for allegedly violating trademark red sole.Continue reading...

A modern update of 1992's Single White Female, psychological thriller The Roommate emerged as the cinematic victor of Super Bowl weekend. The film, #1 in North America with $15.6 million at the North American box office, is packed with brands — but very few stand out.

But this being a Sony Pictures production, we did not want of Sony products. And in the end, the most interesting plot twist of The Roommate is the ironic anti-Facebook Facebook-like site created for the film.Continue reading...