Features
Trademark Letter Rulings from Customs Service Are Expeditious, But Under-Used Tool
The following article takes a general intellectual-property approach to trademark infringement from the perspectives of both trademark holders and product importers, while providing much useful, technical information for entertainment industry professionals.
TN Court of Appeals Considers Business Management Issues
The Tennessee Court of Appeals, at Nashville, reversed and remanded a trial court ruling against Clint Black in the country artist's suit against his former business manager. This case is notable not only for statute-of-limitations issues, but also involves business-management partnership liability, as well as the line between accounting and business management services.
First Circuit Finds Infringement in TV Sitcom
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit decided that actor Emmanuel "Sunshine" Logro'o and a TV production in which he was a principal infringed on the copyright for the plaintiff production company's TV situation comedy.
Features
Parsing the Copyright Preemption Issue in Claims for Breach of Implied-in-Fact Contracts
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently reconfirmed the long-established principle that, under California law, an implied-in-fact contract claim over an alleged promise to pay for use of an idea or concept isn't preempted by federal copyright law.
Taxing Online Sales
Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn signed the Main Street Fairness Act into law to collect sales tax revenues from a retail market traditionally beyond the states' reach ' the world of online commerce ' by focusing on the role of local online marketing affiliates. But the measure has been harshly criticized by online merchants who contend it is an unconstitutional intrusion on interstate commerce, and by policy analysts who question its ability to raise tax revenues.
Features
Internet Crime and the Elderly
The same technology that provides the means for customers in various market sectors to truly interact with merchants also allows a similar force multiplication for Internet criminals, including charlatans and other rogues who prey on some of the most vulnerable among us ' the elderly.
Open Source Commands Allure
The prospect of "free" software, through the open source movement, seems like a CFO's dream come true. After all, why shouldn't a firm get a critical asset at no cost? In other words, why pay a monthly licensing or maintenance fee when something that appears to work well can possibly be had at no cost online? Unfortunately, the real world has taught us all that "free" can be very expensive.
IP News
Highlights of the latest intellectual property news from around the country.
Features
Cuban Embargo Prevents Renewal Of Trademark Registration
The Cuban trade embargo has been at issue for more than a decade in the long-running case between Bacardi and Pernod Ricard over the U.S. rights to the HAVANA CLUB trademark for rum.
TiVo v. EchoStar
On April 20, 2011, the Federal Circuit issued its opinion in the <i>TiVo Inc. v. EchoStar Corp.</i> case. No. 2009-1374 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 20, 2011). The decision marks a sea change for evaluating contempt of an injunction in a patent case, significantly limiting an infringer's ability to challenge an injunction on the grounds that it is vague or overbroad.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- Why So Many Great Lawyers Stink at Business Development and What Law Firms Are Doing About ItWhy is it that those who are best skilled at advocating for others are ill-equipped at advocating for their own skills and what to do about it?Read More ›
- A Lawyer's System for Active ReadingActive reading comprises many daily tasks lawyers engage in, including highlighting, annotating, note taking, comparing and searching texts. It demands more than flipping or turning pages.Read More ›
- The Power of Your Inner Circle: Turning Friends and Social Contacts Into Business AlliesPractical strategies to explore doing business with friends and social contacts in a way that respects relationships and maximizes opportunities.Read More ›
- The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year LaterThe DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.Read More ›
- Bankruptcy Sales: Finding a Diamond In the RoughThere is no efficient market for the sale of bankruptcy assets. Inefficient markets yield a transactional drag, potentially dampening the ability of debtors and trustees to maximize value for creditors. This article identifies ways in which investors may more easily discover bankruptcy asset sales.Read More ›