Just about every business, including your family business, likely owns some form of intellectual property (“IP”). IP can include trademarks, patents, copyrights or trade secrets. IP rights allow your business to protect economically valuable intangible assets. Once secured, IP rights allow your company to develop powerful competitive advantages in the marketplace where your goods and […]
Balancing the First Amendment Protection of Artistic Expression Against the Trademark Rights of a Global Brand in the Digital World
On May 18, 2022, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff issued a written decision refusing to dismiss Hermes’ trademark infringement lawsuit against Los Angeles designer Mason Rothschild over Rothschild’s “MetaBirkins” non-fungible tokens (“NFT”). The case has been closely watched by trademark lawyers and NFT creators because it represents a familiar clash between federal trademark law and the […]
Secure and Protect Brand Names, Logos, and Domain Names Before Creating Value in Them
Once you have formed and organized your new technology company, one of your first tasks should be to secure your commercial rights to the company’s business and essential brand names, logos and domain names while the business is still in the conceptual stage. When your company is new, and yet to demonstrate it has any […]
Selecting a Name for Your New Family Business
Setting up your family business correctly increases the chances you’ll to hit the ground running and prevent major issues from popping up down the road. One of the first tasks you’ll want to accomplish is choosing the name of your business. From selecting a legal name for your business to reserving your domain name […]
Trademark Office Issues New Guidlines on Trademarking Cannabis Products and Services
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) issued new guidelines on May 2, 2019, clarifying that trademarks for certain cannabis and cannabis-derived goods and services are now eligible for federal trademark protection. The PTO issued the guidelines to clarify the procedure for examining marks for these goods and services following passage of the 2018 Farm […]