Are you considering hiring independent contractors? While there are financial advantages to doing so, such as reduced payroll costs and flexibility in staffing, there are risks, particularly with regard to your business’ proprietary information. In order to avoid or minimize these risks and protect your assets, you should draw up a comprehensive independent contractor agreement Read more about The ABCs of Independent Contractor Agreements[…]
What is a copyright? A copyright is an exclusive right granted by law that protects original works of authorship from being stolen and not credited. What is the difference between a copyright and other legal protections? Many people are confused by the differences between copyrights, patents and trademarks, but they are three very different forms Read more about The Nuts and Bolts of Copyright Law[…]
As your company grows, pitching the business becomes progressively important. Seeking investors, new clients, or even new personnel, an owner must frequently reveal details about the business to others. Idea theft is an ongoing worry for many of these owners who see themselves as having a gain by being at the head of the market. Read more about Three Steps Businesses Can Take to Protect Their Ideas[…]
We are habitually asked the same question by all types of inventors: “I have an idea, but I am incapable of turning it into anything on my own. I am going to need to find help. What should I do to make sure I protect my idea?” Patent lawyers will immediately tell you that ideas Read more about How Can I Protect My Idea Before It’s an Invention?[…]
When you submit a song for copyright, you are doing much more than merely proving the date of submission of your art. While the staff at the copyright office is not sitting around listening to every song to determine whether they have heard it before, registration is proof of a valid copyright. When you write Read more about Why Your Music Needs to be Copyrighted Now[…]
Patents: Patents are the best protection you can get for a new and novel product, method, and/or design. A patent gives its inventor the right to stop others from making, using or selling the claimed invention throughout the United States. International patent protection is also available. In general, a US patent will be issued for Read more about The Intellectual Property Guide to Tech Startups[…]
Use Copyright and Trademark Notices: Although copyright and trademark notices are not mandatory, their effective use can considerably enhance your intellectual property rights, including eradicating an “innocent infringement” defense. Collect All Licenses in Writing: Every time your company lets others – such as affiliated entities, or endorsed vendors – use your name, logos, copyrighted works, Read more about 4 Tips On Protecting Your Intellectual Property[…]
Back in 2011, nature photographer David Slater set up shop in the jungles of Indonesia to take photographs of Celebes Creste Macaques. He brought cameras and tripods and began setting up, adjusting the cameras’ settings and preparing to capture the images. During that time, one of the monkey’s curiosity got the better of her and Read more about IS PETA LOST IN THE JUNGLE?[…]
In 2013 U.S. District Judge Swain, when ruling on Tiffany’s Motion for Summary Judgment, held: “The question of whether a mark is, or has become, generic is generally one of fact,” citing Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. McNeil-P.P.C. Inc., 973 F.2d 1033, 1039 (2d Cir. 1992) Tiffany & Co. v. Costco Wholesale Corp., Civil Action No. Read more about Tiffany v. Costco – Kreskin says: I See An Appeal In Your Future[…]
That’s the question we got the most. Last week, our firm hit Austin, Texas to exhibit at the SXSW Interactive Trade Show. We prepared for months, and had a booth that replicated a real law office, stocked with fun giveaways, the most popular (honestly one of the most popular at the entire show) being our Read more about What’s a Law Firm doing at SXSW?[…]