Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%
Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.
How the Changing Concept of 'Work' May Jeopardize Employers' IP Ownership
It is no secret that the daily lives of U.S. employees have changed drastically since 2020. Hybrid or fully remote work arrangements plus temporary or permanent relocation have blurred lines and shifted norms around how and where work is performed. These changes present numerous administrational and legal challenges to employers. Significantly, they have also necessitated new practices and policies to ensure that employers own and retain all necessary rights in intellectual property that their employees create.
A key step to ensure that employers own their intellectual property is having employees sign agreements which assign to the employer all intellectual property created in the course of employment. Even when assignments are broadly drafted in favor of the employer, various state laws prohibit or restrict assignments for intellectual property created outside of work hours and without use of employer resources — limitations which are sometimes overlooked by employers. Several of these laws require that employee assignment agreements include the relevant excerpts from such state statutes or risk being deemed void.
The following discussion highlights how the changing concept of "work" may jeopardize employers' ownership of intellectual property, focusing on the specific requirements of specific state statutes and suggesting changes employers can make to avoid footfalls. Certain issues raised in this analysis may similarly apply to independent contractors and individuals located outside the United States, topics that are beyond the scope of this discussion.
This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only
ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
- Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
- Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
- Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts
Already a have an account? Sign In Now Log In Now
For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473
Top 5 Strategies for Managing the End-of-Year Collections Frenzy
End of year collections are crucial for law firms because they allow them to maximize their revenue for the year, impacting profitability, partner distributions and bonus calculations by ensuring outstanding invoices are paid before the year closes, which is especially important for meeting financial targets and managing cash flow throughout the firm.
The Self-Service Buyer Is On the Rise
Law firms and companies in the professional services space must recognize that clients are conducting extensive online research before making contact. Prospective buyers are no longer waiting for meetings with partners or business development professionals to understand the firm's offerings. Instead, they are seeking out information on their own, and they want to do it quickly and efficiently.
Should Large Law Firms Penalize RTO Rebels or Explore Alternatives?
Through a balanced approach that combines incentives with accountability, firms can navigate the complexities of returning to the office while maintaining productivity and morale.
Sink or Swim: The Evolving State of Law Firm Administrative Support
The paradigm of legal administrative support within law firms has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade. But this begs the question: are the changes to administrative support successful, and do law firms feel they are sufficiently prepared to meet future business needs?
Tax Treatment of Judgments and Settlements
Counsel should include in its analysis of a case the taxability of the anticipated and sought after damages as the tax effect could be substantial.