Read the Terms of Service on Social Media Sites

By Posting to A Social Media Site – You Agree to the Terms of Service

While Social Media was prevalent before the COVID-19 crisis, it is even more vital now as our only means of interacting with friends/family, current customers, …

Blackbeard, Copyright Fair Use, and the COVID-19 Crisis

ARRRRRR!! There was an important US Supreme Court case Allen vs. Cooper (no. 18-877) decided on March 23, 2020. It struck down the Copyright Remedy Clarification Act (CRCA) which allowed copyright owners to sue States for copyright infringement (using another’s …

USPTO extends filing deadlines

USPTO Extends Certain Responsive Filing Deadlines to June 1, 2020Responsive filings due between and inclusive of March 27 and May 31, 2020 are extended to June 1, 2020.

The new notices supersede the previously posted:

• “Notice of Waiver of

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Intellectual Property Goals For 2020

Do You Have 2020 IP Vision?

If you own a business, you use intellectual property (IP), whether it is your own or someone else’s. Your 2020 IP goals should include: 1) determine what IP you own and how/if you are …

Data Privacy Issues For Emerging Businesses

Start-ups and emerging businesses need a detailed privacy policy and data privacy plan in place from the outset.

Data Privacy Issues

Basics: Data privacy is the relationship between the collection and dissemination of data, along with the determination of what …

False Advertising Issues For Emerging Businesses

False Advertising is the use of false, misleading, or unproven information to advertise products to consumers.

Basics: In the United States, the federal government regulates advertising through the FTC, and additionally permits private litigation through various statutes, most notably …

Copyrights For Start-Ups And Emerging Businesses

A copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce copies of the work, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, perform the work, and display the work.

Copyright Basics: A copyright is a form of protection provided for “original works of authorship” …

Trade Secrets For Start-Ups And Emerging Businesses

Trade secrets are an important and valuable component of a company’s intellectual property. Therefore, every effort should be made to identify, maintain, and protect trade secrets.

Trade Secret Basics: A trade secret is “information”, not generally known to the public, …

Patent Checklist for Start-Ups and Emerging Businesses

In general, securing patent rights in your inventions can give you a competitive advantage in your industry and can make your company more attractive to potential investors or purchasers.

Patent Basics: A patent is a right granted by the government …

Trademark Checklist for Start-Ups and Emerging Businesses

Trademark Basics: A trademark is a word, phrase, or symbol which identifies and distinguishes the source of goods and/or services of a company from those of others. Customers rely upon trademarks as a barometer as to the quality of the …