It is easy to think of yourself as a small, local business, especially if you never leave the house to run it. However, the reality is the second you create a website you are operating in the global marketplace. This also means you are subject to many of the same laws...
Basics of Intellectual Property
Tips for Business Owners: Get All Agreements in Writing
As a business owner, you should ensure that all agreements are in writing. This is important not just for issues relating to intellectual property but for all aspects of your business. Here are a few reasons why. It eliminates incorrect assumptions. Imagine you start...
Broughan Presents at FSU’s JMI for Global Entrepreneurial Studies
On January 30, 2018, Crystal Broughan gave a presentation titled “Intellectual Property 101” to a class of non-profit executives at Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurial Studies in Jacksonville. The Jim Moran Institute at the FSU College of Business aims to...
Do You Need a License to Show That Movie?
A homeowner’s association has a pool movie night. A dentist plays movies in their waiting room. A church shows a film in their community room. In each of these situations, material protected by copyright law is shown in a public setting. If the organization did not...
Trademark Tip: Why to Register in Black and White
Consider registering your trademark in black and white. This protects trademark use in all colors, rather than only limiting protection to the colors provided in a color image. If color is vital to your brand, consider two applications: one in black and white...
Copyright Tip: When There’s No © Symbol
All original works of authorship are protected by copyright as soon as they are created and placed in a fixed format. This is true even if there is no © symbol used. Be safe. Always obtain permission before: Reproducing the work Distributing copies of the work...
Tips for Avoiding Intellectual Property Litigation
Litigation can be time-consuming, expensive, and damaging to your business’s reputation. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your chance of being involved in unnecessary litigation related to IP. DO conduct a trademark search to see if anyone else is...
Marks Gray to lead panel discussion at Jacksonville SBRN Luncheon on September 22, 2016
I am proud to announce that I will represent Marks Gray at the upcoming Jacksonville Small Business Resource Network Meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2016, at the Jacksonville Marriott. The panel discussion will include two other IP attorneys. We will discuss the...