In a February 2, 2023, article titled “USPTO warns of new spoofing scam targeting trademark owners,” we warned you about a spoofing tactic where scammers were calling trademark owners using “spoofing” to hide their true...more
On February 1, 2023, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a warning that scammers have recently started calling trademark owners, falsely claiming to be employees with the United States Patent and Trademark Office...more
When lawyers talk about “intellectual property law” they usually mean the world of trademarks (names or symbols that identify the source of a product), copyrights (creative works, like paintings, songs, books), or patents...more
As you’ve read in this space before, copyright law can be hard to navigate. Because copyright infringement is a strict liability tort, copying someone else’s material can lead to much more serious consequences than when you...more
It’s over. After all the cliffhangers, the United Kingdom has finally left the European Union. Who keeps the house? Who has to buy a new sofa? Brexit may not mean much to the average American, but if you do business in...more
Most of us have at least a basic understanding of the laws that impact our daily lives. We understand, for example, that drivers are supposed to carry vehicle insurance and that they shouldn’t run a red light. We might be...more
I just made myself unpopular at the parents’ presentation to learn about my middle schooler’s recently issued Chromebook. Listening to the principal describe how the kids are using the device, what protections the school has...more
Recently, Oklahoma joined the ranks of the 30 states that have legalized medical marijuana, but the state still has work to do on just how to implement its new law. As usual, the devil is in the details. Even though Oklahoma...more
8/1/2018
/ Common Law Claims ,
Controlled Substances Act ,
Copyright ,
Federal Trademark Register ,
Federal v State Law Application ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Marijuana Cultivation ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
Medical Marijuana ,
Trademark Registration ,
Trademarks ,
Use in Commerce ,
USPTO
Most of us understand that a trademark is the brand name for a product: Oreo® sandwich cookies, Kleenex® tissue, Velcro® fasteners. But what happens when one brand name becomes so ubiquitous and so closely identified with a...more
"'Twas the week before Christmas, and one click of the mouse ordered the presents for all in the house. With two-day free shipping and discounts galore, we just shop online – why go to a store?"
Originally published in...more
So, you’re ready to launch your new online business or mobile app. The website looks great, and the app tile has an elegant, simple design that’s sure to stand out on phone and tablet screens. Missing anything? Oh, yeah, that...more
10/17/2016
/ COPPA ,
Data Collection ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Limitation of Liability Clause ,
Material Disclosures ,
Minors ,
Mobile Apps ,
Parental Consent ,
Privacy Policy ,
Terms and Conditions ,
Terms of Service ,
Terms of Use ,
User-Generated Content ,
Website Owner Liability ,
Websites
No one likes layoffs. The person getting fired may be depressed and fearful about his or her job loss, and the person doing the firing usually feels rotten about being the bearer of bad news. In a layoff situation, an exit...more
With a presidential election looming, we’re hearing a lot about “border security” in the news. Most of us know that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“U.S. Customs”) is charged with keeping out illegal immigrants, but did...more
Offering workers the opportunity to work from home has many benefits for both the employee and employer, but it can bring challenges as well. One challenge is handling trade secrets, which are defined as any information that...more
Whether it’s an organization that is close to the CEO’s heart, a response to a local tragedy, or a PR move to distract from some unpleasant news, there are times when extending a helping hand can also help a company’s bottom...more
‘Tis the season for post-holiday sales and New Year’s resolutions. Businesses may be working a little harder to lure consumers, and that means more advertising.
Originally published in The Journal Record - January 2,...more
In This Issue:
- Short Attention Span
- When the stars align: Negotiating celebrity endorsement deals
- It’s not easy saying you’re green
- Excerpt from Short Attention Span:
LIKE IT? TWEET IT?...more
LIKE IT? TWEET IT? PIN IT? Online advertising is becoming more critical to marketing departments and brand owners everywhere. Using Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media avenues to promote brands is a seismic...more
No more piles of torn magazine pages or envelopes full of paint chips. Bookmarking sites like Pinterest, Manteresting or Pixcited let us post images of things we like in a neat digital format. Like most other social media...more
Most states have adopted some version of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, which is designed to prevent the disclosure of trade secrets. FOIA, or the Freedom of Information Act, allows individuals to access records collected by...more
In This Issue:
- 3 Monitoring employees’ use of company trademarks in social media
- 5 Keys to ensuring the secrecy of trade secrets
- 6 FTC amends Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule
- Excerpt from...more
3/5/2013