Intellectual Property Law

Shredded Wheat by Any Other Name…

The argument over intellectual property rights has been around for a long time. There is a quote from Thomas Jefferson where he talks about those who receive ideas from him are receiving a lesson. He says that it doesn’t diminish his idea. He likens it to someone lighting a candle from the light of his […]

Hot Dog! It’s a Handbag

The fashion phenomenon Louis Vuitton filed a lawsuit in 2007 for trademark dilution and copyright infringement. The case was formally known as Louis Vuitton Malletier v. Haute Diggity Dog. The suit was against the pet product company called Haute Diggity Dog. It was based in Nevada and created a product line called Chewy Vuitton. They […]

Language and IP rights

I bet when you are having a conversation with someone, during the conversation someone will use a popular phrase that has been associated with a product. Or it might be a line from a movie. Maybe a line from a book. You know someone came up with these phrases, can you be accused of IP […]

Is Happy Birthday to You copyrighted?

Candles are lit on the cake and your friends and family have gathered around you. So what happens next? They all sing “Happy Birthday to you”, naturally. Then candles are blown out, with or without help from someone and clapping begins. The cake is cut and served with ice cream. This scenario plays out over […]

Disney And Intellectual Property Rights

Disney is one of the most recognized and loved names in the world. Going to Disney World or Disneyland is every child’s dream. They can see all their favorite characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Cinderella, Snow White, Peter Pan and more. Yes, Disney knows how to create a fantasy world for children. Even when […]

Social Media and Breaking the Law

Many businesses these days use social media to help reach customers. They post status updates on Facebook – they tweet sales and thoughts on Twitter.  It’s working too!  Customers love to keep up to date with what’s on sale, what discounts are being offered and special promotions.  Customers especially love the interactive nature and informal […]

Search engine optimization is a crucial aspect of a company’s online business success. It is what makes them visible to their potential customers. Before we move forward into the case at hand, let’s further understand the definition of a trademark and what it protects. A trademark is a word, symbol, or phrase, used to identify […]

7 Easy Steps to Selling Your Patent

Now that you have done all the leg work and have successfully acquired your patent, you may be wondering if you should push forward into production and venture down that sometimes daunting road, or if you should put a price tag on your invention and sell it to the highest bidder? If you choose to […]

Licensing your intellectual property allows you to contribute to innovation in a broader sense by allowing others to access your ideas and innovations, and it helps you earn more money on your own innovation. Navigating the world of an intellectual property license is difficult, as you want to strike a balance between your interests and […]

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