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 […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
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 […]
Marvel and DC Comic’s “SUPER HERO” Marks Unmasked: How Your Trademark Can Avoid the Same Result
Trademark protection is designed to secure a business asset that is unique to your business and your business alone. This prevents consumer confusion by making it easy for a consumer to identify what product is yours versus that of a competitor’s business. Therefore, your trademark is an important business asset. The stronger your logo or […]
Can You Patent Artificial Intelligence?
Of all the rapidly evolving fields of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major cornerstone of innovation. As AI systems continue to grow in usage, implementation, and sophistication, the question arises: can you patent artificial intelligence? The answer is yes, but with a few notable nuances. What is a Patent and Who Can Get […]
The 2019 Requirement for Foreign-Domiciled Trademark Applicants: Understanding the Need for U.S. Licensed Attorneys
In 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a significant change affecting trademark applicants and registrants outside the United States. The requirement mandates that all foreign-domiciled trademark applicants and registrants must be represented by a U.S. licensed attorney. This shift in policy has important implications for trademark attorneys practicing internationally, as it […]
Understanding United States Patents and Their Benefits to Businesses
In the changing world of innovation and technology, protecting intellectual property is a necessity for maintaining a competitive edge. One of the primary mechanisms for securing such protection is through patents. In the United States, patents are granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). They provide inventors and businesses with exclusive rights […]
Leveraging Outside Counsel: Safeguarding Corporate Intellectual Property Assets
In the area of corporate governance, protecting intellectual property (IP) stands out as a primary concern. In the digital age, where innovation is at the core of competitiveness, corporations must protect their intellectual assets to maintain their edge in the market. Engaging outside counsel has emerged as a strategic imperative for corporations seeking to protect […]
Balancing Innovation and Accuracy: The Role of LLMs in Patent Research and Legal Practice
In this new age of generative AI and large language models (LLMs), we are quickly learning what tasks benefit from this new tool and what tasks are harmed by it. The legal community, and seemingly the world at large, watched with grim curiosity as New York attorneys were reprimanded for using ChatGPT to draft a […]
Navigating an IRS Audit: What Every Taxpayer Should Know
Receiving a notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that you’re being audited can be an alarming experience, triggering anxiety and uncertainty. However, it’s crucial to approach this situation with a level head and take the necessary steps to ensure a smooth resolution. In this article, we’ll guide you through the key actions you should […]
Lawsuit over DeLorean Trademarks Heading to Trial – Back to the Future Time Machine at Issue
In the world of cinema, few vehicles are as iconic and beloved as the DeLorean time machine from the “Back to the Future” trilogy. As a sneakerhead, one of my dream sneakers would be the Marty McFly Nike’s, but with a price tag of $18,500, I’m going to have to write just a few more […]
