Protecting Trade Secrets Without Non-Compete Clauses

There has been some panic and a lot of discussion among business leaders following news reports that the Federal Trade Commission is considering a rule to ban non-compete clauses. Many businesses use such clauses as a means to protect trade secrets and other confidential and proprietary information, hoping to prevent employees from resigning and immediately joining a competitor armed with trade secrets and other Read More

Public Domain Day 2023 Brings Well-Known IPs to the Public

There have been more than a few gasps of terror on social media recently. People are shocked to see Winnie the Pooh turned into a bloody horror flick. The same is happening with popular children’s characters like Bambi and Peter Pan. Who would let this happen? Shouldn’t the original creators or their estates object to such depictions of these popular children’s characters? This is all possible because these pieces of Read More

All I Want for Christmas is Intellectual Property Protection

Happy Holidays! We’re officially into December which means the holiday decorations are infecting the neighborhood with cheer (who are we kidding, a lot of you got the decorations out on November 1st). This time of year can certainly inspire plenty of joy and comradery, but a lot of what we do during the holiday season is still dictated by intellectual property protections, new and old. Holidays themselves, like Read More

Clothing Designers: Protect Your Intellectual Property

Clothing design is a functional and profitable business venture for any talented designer, but the competition is fierce. The right design can stand out and fly off the shelves, turning your hard work into serious cash. Still, clothing designers have unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to using intellectual property to protect their original works. On one single t-shirt, there might be multiple IP Read More

Join Attorney Rick McDermott in the Fight To End Multiple Sclerosis!

I know we normally come here to discuss important intellectual property issues, but today I’d like to get a little more personal. As most of you know, I’m passionate about making a difference in the community, both locally and nationally. That’s why I’m reaching out to you today to talk about Bike MS - the largest fundraising cycling series in the world, raising critical money for research, programs, and ultimately, Read More

The Hidden Danger of Invisible Trademark Infringement

Modern technology presents some very unique challenges for the management and protection of intellectual property. We recently wrote about how intellectual property laws apply to “Non-Fungible Tokens” (NFTs). These and other issues are at the forefront of discussions for many individuals and businesses, but another issue companies need to be aware of is what’s called “invisible” trademark infringement. Your Read More

Is Your Trademark Strong Enough?

Securing a trademark for yourself and your business can be a major boost that helps you separate yourself from competitors. It’s a government-certified showcase of your unique hard work. However, the US Patent and Trademark Office isn’t going to approve just any application. USPTO officials are flooded with applications, many of which have no business ever earning an official trademark designation. If a mark doesn’t Read More

Timelines for Renewing and Maintaining Your Intellectual Property

The process of filing for and receiving trademark, copyright, or patent protection for your intellectual property can be time-consuming, but the process doesn't end there. Protecting your innovation takes time and must be maintained by fulfilling certain standards and maintenance. The process looks different depending on the type of protection you file for and your long-term intentions. We are going to specifically Read More

Understanding Trade Secrets and the Information Non-Compete Clauses Protect

Non-compete clauses have been a common topic of conversation at the national level, with President Joe Biden recently signing an executive order calling for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to limit non-compete clauses. While the intention of the executive order is to “promote competition,” it raises interesting questions about what non-compete clauses do. For businesses and businesspeople, the order brings into Read More

How Intellectual Property Laws Apply to NFTs

Intellectual property law doesn’t often change. Instead, as the world around us evolves, the long-standing laws are applied in new ways. Right now, IP laws are being applied in new ways once again as the “Non-Fungible Token” (NFT) market explodes. Before we dive into how IP law applies to NFTs, it’s important to first understand what qualifies as an NFT. What is a Non-Fungible Token NFTs are digital assets first and Read More