The Surprising Inventions of Christmas

The invention of the modern Christmas has been relatively recent.  Some claim that the modern Christmas was invented when Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843.  Prior to 1843, Christmas varied between a pagan rooted solstice ritual and a Mardi-Gras type event where party goers travelled house-to-house demanding wine and food.  In the middle Read more about The Surprising Inventions of Christmas[…]

Over Protective Trademark License Agreement can Create Surprise Franchisor

Trademark License Agreement Most trademark attorneys caution trademark clients against becomes an unknowing franchisor. Franchise laws impose penalties on franchisors who fail to fallow the difficult and complex franchise laws. A trademark license agreement can help trademark owners avoid franchise liability by avoiding too much control. There is a fine line between being a trademark Read more about Over Protective Trademark License Agreement can Create Surprise Franchisor[…]

Important Reasons for Trademark Renewal

Benefits of Trademark Registration A trademark can provide a business a powerful right, the exclusive right to use a brand name and to prevent consumer confusion throughout the United States and even internationally.  With a trademark registration, you will have the sole right to use the brand throughout the United States and to prevent others Read more about Important Reasons for Trademark Renewal[…]

Trademark Office looses Challenge, Website Owner Gets Trademark

Trademarking Domain Names In a win for a business owner, the Supreme Court recently held that a company’s website which used a .com ending was protectable as a trademark, reversing the decision of the trademark office. Booking.com had attempted to register its domain, Booking.com and the USPTO rejected the application claiming it was generic.   The Read more about Trademark Office looses Challenge, Website Owner Gets Trademark[…]

Satan Lost his Shoes in the Latest Trademark Battle

Nike just settled its two-week old trademark battle against “Satan Shoes” seller MSCHF Product Studio Inc. MSCHF is a Brooklyn-based collective of artists and designers which creates artwork in novel and unique ways. For example, one of their projects included selling a virus infected laptop for $1.35 million, selling a dog collar which cursed when Read more about Satan Lost his Shoes in the Latest Trademark Battle[…]

High Court Finds Easy End to Google’s Copyright Battle

On Monday, the Supreme Court ended a 2005 copyright infringement case between Google and Oracle based on the Copyright Fair Use doctrine. In the ruling, the Court handed Google and software developers a ruling which will have rippling effects for years to come. In the ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that Google’s copying of Oracles Read more about High Court Finds Easy End to Google’s Copyright Battle[…]

Patent Applications Limited to Human Inventors, not SkyNet

Inventions by Computers Computers are now capable of helping with many of our daily and routine tasks. Computers are also being used to solve some of our most difficult and complex problems. In some cases this is done without human interaction as part of an artificial intelligence system. Recently, the USPTO said these computers are Read more about Patent Applications Limited to Human Inventors, not SkyNet[…]

Surprising History of Copyright Infringement

The Duchess of Sussex a/k/a Meghan Markle has recently been in the news.  In a recent interview with Oprah, the royal family member and American actress aired personal concerns and conversations within Britain’s royal family.  The interview provided insight for many Americans into the royal family.  However, the Duchess also made the news recently for Read more about Surprising History of Copyright Infringement[…]

Crazy Year Causes Trademark Challenges to Corona Brand and Goodwill

In a year that is unlike any other, the pandemic has wrecked havoc on the trademark for Corona. First, consumers were confused about the association of the beer with the virus.  Then, as a result of increased demand for alcoholic beverages, Corona was sued as a result of sales of fruity fizzy flavored beverages.  One Read more about Crazy Year Causes Trademark Challenges to Corona Brand and Goodwill[…]