Tag: trademark rights

When Does a Trademark Expire?

Unlike patents or copyrights, trademarks do not have fixed expiration dates. Instead, trademarks could last indefinitely as long as they continue to be used in commerce. If the mark is also registered with a government agency, it can be renewed again and again if certain maintenance documents and fees are filed. In the United States, […]

Is Cannabis Patentable?

In short, yes, and there are many different ways in which cannabis and cannabis-related inventions may be protected. The U.S. government has authority to grant patents under the Patent and Copyright clause of the U.S. Constitution (U.S. Const. Art. 1, § 8, cl. 8).  By comparison, the U.S. government has authority to grant trademark registrations […]

Prince, Andy Warhol, Fair Use and the Supreme Court

The photo of Prince on the left above was taken by Lynn Goldsmith in 1981. Andy Warhol used this photo to create an unauthorized series of silkscreens – the “Prince Series” – which appears to the right of Goldsmith’s photo. Goldsmith is a well-known rock-and-roll celebrity photographer. When Warhol passed away in 1987, the Prince […]

Website Owners Cannot Stop Data Scraping

Here are two examples: (1) Clearview AI has scraped billions of publicly available images from social media platforms and compiled them into a facial recognition database that it’s made available to law-enforcement and private industry.

When Does A Copyright Expire?

The scope of copyright law is vast – it protects traditional art forms such as books, music, photos and paintings, but also covers more exotic forms of expression, such as computer software, choreography, literary and movie characters (Batman, James Bond) and even useful objects (product and clothing designs). However, it often can be difficult to […]

When Does My Patent Expire?

Patents can be used to protect your innovations. There are different types of patents that can be obtained through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In particular, utility patents are used to protect new and useful processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Design patents can protect the shape and/or surface ornamentation of a manufactured article.

How To Protect Intellectual Property

Intellectual property is an intangible asset, or a collection of intangible assets, created through the ingenuity of people in the form of their brands, innovations, original works of authorship, and confidential information. Intellectual property may serve as the foundation of many businesses and ventures. Thus, it is very important to protect your intellectual property as your business develops and grows.

How Trademarks Protect Your Business

A trademark can be any word, phrase, logo, or design that connects your business with its goods or services in the minds of consumers. This can include your business name, product name, or tagline. Trademarks are some of your company’s most valuable assets as they symbolize your reputation and good will. They are how consumers recognize your products or services among those of your competitors.