Licensing your intellectual property (IP) is a powerful way to generate income from the work you've already put in. But it extends far beyond just the financial impact—licensing can significantly boost your brand and increase its recognition, especially if your IP becomes synonymous with your business. Brand partnerships and sharing key internal business elements is a great way to start and nurture mutually Read More
What is “Use in Commerce” and What Does It Mean for Your Trademarks?
One of the requirements to register a trademark that immediately separates it from copyrights or patents is the requirement to actually use and apply your mark. When you register a copyright or patent, it means that you have created something and you have the sole legal right to use, license, or distribute it. However, whether or not you use it is up to you. That’s not the case with trademarks. A trademark is a Read More
Is It Parody or Is It Infringement?
There’s a fine line in intellectual property law when it comes to parodies. Parody is an often used stylistic choice in media and commerce to take advantage of a known name, image, or likeness to sell a product that has a similar or mirrored likeness with a humorous lean. Weird Al Yankovich made a living off of it in the music industry while movies like Scary Movie and Austin Powers famously poked fun at horror films Read More
Drawing a Line Between Trade Secrets and Patents
Ensuring the confidentiality and protection of intellectual property within a company and defining trade secrets is a fundamental element of long-term success and profitability. As you and your colleagues work toward these goals, understanding the power of the work you’ve already put in and how that work impacts the business over time is crucial. One of the biggest challenges for companies is understanding what is Read More
From Creation to Commercialization: The Lifecycle of IP Assets
Intellectual Property (IP) is a key ingredient in the success and growth of businesses. It represents creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce. IP assets are not just legal entities but are crucial business assets that can significantly impact a company's market value and competitive edge. The journey from the initial idea to a Read More
Where AI & Copyrights Converge
Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements have impacted virtual assistants on our smartphones, self-driving cars, and how content is created. One area where AI has significantly influenced is the field of copyright law. Knowing how your IP gets used by AI requires understanding copyright laws. As AI progresses, it has become a tool for content creators and distributors. Its capacity to analyze datasets and generate Read More
Trademark Strategies For E-commerce Brands
When discussing businesses that focus on online retail, establishing and maintaining a distinct brand identity is crucial. Like any business, imitation and counterfeit products are a genuine threat to their brands and reputation. For this reason, these businesses need to defend both by protecting their intellectual property. This extends beyond just maintaining customer trust and developing a following for your Read More
Licensing, Lawsuits, & Using Copyrighted Material On Social Media
Businesses must take the proper steps to protect their intellectual property (IP). This intangible property includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and it is often at the core of a company’s competitive advantage. Licensing this IP is a strategic decision. It allows companies to grant rights to use their property in exchange for a fee. It is an avenue for revenue generation, market expansion, and Read More
Navigating Copyright Claims Board
June 2022 marked a pivotal moment in the copyright landscape with the inauguration of the Copyright Claims Board (CCB). It is an entity that provides a streamlined and cost-effective path for managing specific copyright disputes. The CCB is an alternative avenue for copyright holders and those opposing infringement claims to seek resolution on disputes entailing claims up to $30,000. This should not be mistaken as an Read More
How Your Company Can Capitalize on Business Method Inventions
Protecting your business and its intellectual property can be crucial to your success. Your intellectual property can distinguish you from competitors. What if the thing that sets you apart is a key process that you use in running your business, such as a process for offering services or a manufacturing process related to products you sell? How do you protect that process? These processes may be patentable, and we Read More