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Music Artist Protection
The U.S. Copyright Office is responsible for maintaining copyright registration records in the United States, including a Copyright Catalog. The office issued a final rule on February 23, 2021, that creates a new “group” registration option for albums of music and works related to that music. The rule took effect on March 26, 2021.
Reasons Why You Need a Patent
A patent is a legal document that protects an invention from being copied by other businesses to reduce the risk of competition with a similar product in the future. Obtaining and enforcing a patent can make a significant difference to the profitability, valuation, and long-term success of any company. By filing for patent protection, you can ensure that your invention is protected from illegal duplicates and any infringements are dealt with legally in courts.
How long does a U.S. patent or trademark application take to issue?
There's no easy answer to the question, ''how long does it take to get a patent or trademark?'' Patents and trademarks are governed by different laws with varying timelines and procedures. Searching for an answer can quickly become frustrating as there appears to be a new patent act or trademark act every other day.
IP and Startup Companies
A startup is a company, either nascent or early stage, that is just forming. It is primarily concerned with the development of a product or service deliverable and gaining traction. A startup's growth is contingent upon the founders' ability to find product-market fit and/or investors interested in their innovation.
Best Practice: Name All Inventors on Your Patent
When a process or product becomes successful, correctly naming all the inventors that were involved on the patent is essential to avoid having any contributors feel like they’ve been wronged or excluded.
Paving the IP Road for NFTs
With the emergence of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) digital technology, establishing intellectual property strategy, including Copyrights and Trademarks, is crucial to pave the road ahead. NFT’s popularity has soared recently with blockchain supporters and entrepreneurs, emphasized by multi-million dollar auctions. NFTs representing unique assets such as videos, music, games, artwork collectibles, digital real estate, and digital artwork, have their value based on non-fungible, distinctive features of the item being sold.
US supporting the waiving of COVID-19 vaccine patent rights
Even though the U.S. announced on May 5, 2021 that it supported the temporary waiving of the patent rights for COVID-19 vaccines, any agreement may take weeks of negotiation with the World Trade Organization and much longer before any production may begin.
What To Do If You Get a Trademark Office Action
You’ve filed the necessary trademark application(s) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for your business’ brand name and logos to protect and grow your business. Several months go by and you receive a challenge to your application from the USPTO in the form of an Office Action.
What We Can Learn from Ice Cube’s Trademark/Publicity Lawsuit Against Robinhood
Being the latest celebrity to try to protect his/her rights of publicity, Ice Cube (aka, O’Shea Jackson, Sr.) filed a lawsuit against Robinhood Financial, LLC and Robinhood Markets, Inc., financial services providers. On March 31, 2021, Ice Cube claimed Lanham Act (Trademark) violations, along with violations of California law, including misappropriation of likeness and unfair competition.
Why You Need an IP Consulting Firm
Innovative inventions and patents are what you think about when you hear the words intellectual property. Starting with an IP consulting firm to help take your idea from concept to a patented invention isn’t all there is, it’s just the beginning.
Impact of COVID-19 on US Trademarks
The COVID-19 outbreak has caused disruptions across industries around the world, but one challenge facing businesses today; how to keep their trademarks alive during a pandemic.
