Imagine if you could own your DNA. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? After all, we’re all born with our own genes and DNA – it’s our own individual blueprint – so why not get to own what is already naturally ours? Seems like one ought to be able to file for a patent for genes Read more about Patenting Human Genes: Slam the Brakes[…]
Over the years, The McHattie Law Firm, LLC has received many requests from our clients to review their existing employment manuals and handbooks, paying particular attention to the intellectual property (“IP”) provisions. Invariably, not one of those manuals provided thorough, and in many cases even adequate, guidelines for employees on the company’s intellectual property “Dos Read more about Does your employee handbook adequately cover intellectual property issues? *ATTORNEY ADVERTISING*[…]
Simply stated, flavors and fragrances are patentable, but that’s only half the story. A little background on patents is warranted before we explore the patentability of flavors and fragrances Patent law protects “new and useful processes, machines, compositions of matter, and new and useful improvements thereof.” Patent protection is granted to inventions that are useful, Read more about DO YOU HAVE A TASTE FOR PATENTS? Exploring the patentability of flavors and fragrances[…]
We all know trademark law protects “marks” or other indicia of origin used to identify the source of products and services such words, names, symbols, colors and even sounds. However, many don’t realize that trademark law and other intellectual property strategies can also protect non-traditional marks like flavors and fragrances. Anything that serves as a Read more about SNIFFING OUT NON-TRADITIONAL TRADEMARK PROTECTION: Exploring the protectability of flavors and fragrances as trademarks[…]
Attention all intellectual property owners and applicants: Several new organizations, including, but likely not limited to, the “United States Trademark Registration Office,” the “World Database of Trademarks and Patents,” and “GBO INC., Trademark and Patent Dep.” are sending invitations for the payment of fees to United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO) “Applicants and agents Read more about BEWARE!!! Trademark fee scams update[…]
The amount of money companies are prepared to invest on protecting their intellectual property is a fairly good litmus test for the state of the economy. There is concern that the current depression in the economy is showing no sign of improving. In a recent article by the Economist Magazine, the number of patent applications Read more about The Times They Are A’Changing[…]
The United States has always been at the forefront of innovation. Perhaps born of necessity given our “wild frontier” history or perhaps just dumb luck, for better or worse, the United States has more often than not been the spearhead of change. From the industrial revolution, to the more recent technological revolution, to the information Read more about The America Invents Act Doesn’t Live Up To Its Name… And What It Fails To Address[…]
With college football season kicking off this weekend and the NFL season right around the corner, we have found ourselves pondering the issue of offensive mascots or symbols for sports teams. How offensive is too offensive? Who gets to decide what is offensive? Who needs to be offended (or how many need to be offended) Read more about Offensive Mascots… Where do we draw the line?[…]
In today’s culture, the media is an undeniable force in helping brands gain name-recognition and in shaping popular opinion and the latest trends. Between the news, commercials, television programs (reality and otherwise), movies, and ever-expanding ways to create an on-line presence, more and more businesses seek to find air-time any way they can and the Read more about Rutt’s Hut® Takes the Muttstard Away From Adam’s Deli[…]
Tomorrow, as most of you know… “IT ALL ENDS.” The world? Not to our knowledge. The NFL Lockout? We wish. No, no, tomorrow marks the theatrical opening of the final installment of the Harry Potter series. The premiere is, without a doubt, one of the biggest movie events of the year, possibly of the decade. Read more about Harry Potter and the Copyrighted Characters[…]