At our firm, giving back is not just something we do – it’s who we are. In the latest issue of Paradigm Magazine from the International Society of Primerus Law Firms™, WM intellectual property partner Mark Warzecha, chair of the Primerus Community Service Board, highlights how law firms worldwide are making an impact through the […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
The Unique Value of Mediation in Business Disputes
When it comes to resolving business disputes, mediation offers a uniquely effective approach that goes beyond the limitations of traditional litigation. While many assume that business conflicts are simply about interpreting shareholder or operating agreements, my experience as a mediator specializing in these matters tells a different story. Business disputes often resemble divorces, with emotions […]
Understanding the Upcoming USPTO Fee Increases: What You Need to Know
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently announced an upcoming fee increase slated to take effect on January 19, 2025, impacting trademark applicants, owners, and practitioners. This adjustment, which follows the USPTO’s periodic reviews of operational costs, aims to ensure the agency maintains its ability to deliver quality services and uphold the intellectual […]
Understanding Trade Dress: Protecting the Visual Identity of Your Brand
With the explosion of social media marketing and sales, a product’s visual identity is often as important as the product itself. This is where trade dress—a form of intellectual property protection—comes into play. But what exactly is trade dress, and how does it safeguard your brand’s unique look? Let’s break it down. What Is Trade […]
5 Benefits of a Trademark and Why You Need One to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Trademarks are the building blocks for the success of a new company. There are numerous reasons why a company or an individual needs to secure a trademark, including: 1. Brand Protection The public identifies a trademark and then separates the products and services from the other products and services in that field, creating brand recognition […]
Five Classic Examples of Trademarks
What is a trademark? “A trademark can be any word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these that identifies your goods or services.” A trademark is how customers recognize you in the marketplace and distinguish you from your competitors. There are many different types of marks that can function as a trademark. It could […]
KARDASHIAN TRADEMARK DISPUTE HEADED TO THE US SUPREME COURT?
The Kardashians are involved in a trademark dispute that may be decided by the US Supreme Court. Kroma Makeup EU, LLC (“Kroma EU”) sued the Kardashians in 2014 over the Kardashians beauty products line, “Khroma Beauty”. Kroma EU was granted a license in October 2012 to import, sell and distribute “Kroma” branded beauty products in […]
Supreme Court Decides “The Most Significant Unresolved Legal Issue in Trademark Licensing”
I previously wrote about the issue of what happens to a trademark license when the brand owner goes bankrupt. The Supreme Court’s decision seems to be good news for trademark licensees and bad news for trademark licensors. On May 20, 2019, an 8-1 Supreme Court ruled that a bankrupt company’s decision to “reject” an existing […]
Supreme Court to Tackle Issue of Who Pays Trademark Litigation Fees
The US Supreme Court agreed to decide whether the US Patent and Trademark Office’s policy of requiring its attorneys’ fees be paid regardless of the outcome of the case is legal. The district court circuit split arises from language in both the Patent Act and the Lanham Act that requires applicants, who file de novo […]
Trademark Piracy – Amazon Brand Registry
Over the past several months a disturbing practice has been occurring at the USPTO. Trademark pirates are fraudulently changing the email address of the correspondence section within a trademark registration. Once changed, the trademark pirate contacts Amazon Brand Registry and requests the trademark be registered to the fraudulent email address/pirate. Amazon will email a secret […]
