Intellectual Property

On a level playing field, competitors follow the same rules. The reason for this is obvious. If competitors are required to follow the same rules, uncompetitive advantages are minimized. In the IP world, not so level playing fields abound. Since trademark and patents rights are generally nationalistic, rules favoring a country’s own residents are not surprising. But what about rules

In the United States we usually have the power of choice. We have the freedom to choose our elected officials,  how we worship, where we live and, as consumers, what car we drive and where we bank. When it comes to the usage of financial services and, specifically credit cards, we get to answer the question, “What’s in your wallet?”

Every notable movement needs a good name – a memorable moniker. Some movement names are purely descriptive, like CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT or GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT, while others are less so such as TEA PARTY MOVEMENT or BOSTON STRONG. Can the name of a movement also constitute a brand that is protectable under our U.S. trademark laws? A trademark is anything

For a patent attorney at a first-time meeting with a new client, these questions inevitably arise: “Who is going to own the patent application and eventual patent?” and “Why can’t my LLC file for the patent application?” At this point we start explaining, but the client’s eyes soon cross and glaze over. Being experienced attorneys in these matters, we just

Along time ago – before we had the internet and Snopes to sort such things out – there was a rumor that Standard Oil, a large oil company at the time (perhaps the largest in the world) purchased a patent for a carburetor that would give a car the ability to go 100 miles per gallon. A key feature of