How to Avoid the Franchise Surprise
In many states, the statutory definition of "franchise" has been, and could be, construed broadly to include relationships between brand owners and their trademark licensees, even though neither party intended to create a franchise relationship. Brand owners can only avoid the franchise surprise if they know the rules of the game.
Defending Your Client's Domain Name
A company's domain name is often the most fundamental basis for trademark and branding efforts. Ideally, the choice of a domain name is made after conducting searches for potentially identical or confusing domains. But even if such due diligence is conducted, with the millions of domain names registered under the various extensions and country codes, it is not possible to guarantee that the domain name will not potentially conflict with someone else's trademark rights.
Use of Another's Trademark in Web Site Metatags
A metatag is a coding statement for a Web site in the Hypertext Markup Language that describes the site's content. The information provided in metatags can be used by search engines to determine Web page relevancy and to influence search results. In a surprising development, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has determined that the use of metatags in Web site code does not create initial interest confusion, because current search engines no longer use metatags to determine the relative relevance of a Web site, preferring instead to use algorithms that rank the Web sites by the number of other sites that link or point to them.
Auction Web Site Off the Hook
At one time or another, every trademark holder must deal with infringement on the Internet. After years of chasing individual infringers, many brand owners seek relief from those who provide the means for infringement. Yet these efforts have had limited success, at least in the United States. In some jurisdictions, search engines have avoided liability for sales of trademarks as keywords, under the doctrine of non-trademark use.
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Establishing Best Practices
When it comes to work product production, internal and external communication, or workplace safety, the question becomes: "Is there adequate input when these policies are developed, and who are the enforcers?" As important, is the question, "Do established best practices hamper client relations or staff professional development?"
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Becoming a Law Firm Partner
Interviews with senior associates and individuals in their first or second year of partnership (particularly equity partnership) reveal that they frequently face a number of surprises ' even shocks ' when they enter their new, long-desired status. Here's what to do about it.
What Your Firm Can Learn from Toyota
Six Sigma is a disciplined methodology for eliminating defects in any process ' from manufacturing to transactional law. Following this efficiency matrix, LEAN Processing, as developed by Toyota, is without question the most important approach to business process of our times.
Sponsors of Participant-Directed 401(k) Plans Should Not Ignore the Proposed Disclosure Requirements
Employers sponsoring participant-directed 401(k) plans face a quandary with respect to all the new fee disclosure requirements being put forth by the Department of Labor. This article discusses the situation.
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In the Marketplace
Who's doing what; who's going where.
Lessee Remains Liable to Lessor Following Failed Mitigation
In <i>Giant Eagle, Inc. v. Phar-Mor, Inc.</i>, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that the lower courts erred in their determination that once a lessor mitigates its damages by entering into a substitute lease, the lessor cannot claim damages from the original lessee for the period covered by the new lease if the substitute lessee subsequently defaults. Here is a discussion of the case.
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