If you are selling your own products or are providing a particular service, you most likely have a business name, plus a special design or logo associated with your business name. You may think either a copyright or a trademark registration will provide the necessary protection to keep others from using your business “identity.” However, Read more about Differences Between Copyrights & Trademarks[…]
If a computer malfunctions and consequently conveys incorrect information to its user or to other computer systems, physical, or economic damages may occur. Important systems that we depend on for daily activities may lose their functioning capabilities. These may include vital systems that help to operate: Hospitals Utility Companies (electric, gas, water, trash) Banks Credit Read more about Liability When Computers Fail[…]
Errors in computer information and systems have the potential of bringing harm to people both physically and economically. People and property can be injured because important computer systems, such as those used by banks, hospitals, and utility companies, might be damaged by inaccurate information. Different Types of Error Computer information may be corrupted by either Read more about Lawsuits When Computers Err[…]
To protect your latest invention, it’s a good idea to apply for a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patent application process is more in depth than applying for copyrights or trademarks. It is commonly referred to as “prosecuting” a patent. As a word of caution, a Patent Application must be filed Read more about Applying for a Patent[…]
Before 1973, broad form commercial general liability (CGL) policies typically did not contain a provision for “advertising injury.” As defined in the standard CGL policy issued by the Insurance Services Office (ISO), the term included injuries arising out of actions conducted in the course of advertising activities, if they arose out of: Libel, slander, or Read more about Does Your CGL Insurance Policy Protect Your IP?[…]
A statute of limitations is a specific law that states the maximum amount of time you have to sue someone for a particular action. The objective of a statute of limitations is twofold: To ensure that any viable cause of action is brought within a reasonable amount of time To prevent loss or alteration of Read more about When Must I File a Copyright Infringement Action?[…]
Intellectual property (IP) generally consists of intangible assets, such as copyrights, patents, brand identities, proprietary knowledge and trademarks. Such assets can be extremely valuable to a company. However, when other companies improperly take advantage of these assets (i.e., infringement), asset value may quickly diminish. Conversely, defending claims of infringement may also prove to be extremely Read more about IP Insurance: A Protection for Intangible Rights[…]
The copyright laws of the United States, originally inherited from England, have been significantly revised over the years. This article presents a brief historical perspective of legislative enactments that have been significant in shaping modern copyright law. The Statute of Anne: English Law In 1710, Parliament passed a law recognizing the rights of authors, and Read more about The Copyright Act: A Brief History[…]
Once a copyright infringement is decided, what are the remedies available? The federal copyright laws outline the various remedies for infringement of federally registered works. The remedies provided under the federal copyright laws are: injunctions, profits, and damages. Attorney’s fees and costs may also be recoverable. Injunctions An injunction orders the infringing party to discontinue Read more about Your Remedies When Someone Steals Your Work[…]
A trademark or trade name indicates the origin of goods and services, respectively. Improper use of a trademark or trade name may confuse the public, and cause serious problems for those who are the real owners of the marks. Therefore, to ensure the greatest protection, the trademark or trade name should be registered with the Read more about Trademarks Offer Protection for Goods[…]