What happened to the commercial filmmaker who filmed at a national park without first obtaining a permit? He claimed the need to pay a fee and obtain a permit violated the First Amendment. The trial court ruled in his favor. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C....
When real estate is in the news, it is often that same old tale of “Big Developer Continues with Plan to Upset Surrounding Community, Surprising No One.” When the party with deeper pockets always comes out on top, these situations can feel satirical, as if LARPing a...
If you have seen the new Indiana Jones movie – Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – you might have noticed that Harrison Ford is sporting a particular backpack in the film. Actually, you probably did not notice it because you were too busy paying attention to the...
Picture this: you have developed a groundbreaking invention. One that could change your life. You are bubbling with excitement to share your idea with others. But did you know that speaking about your invention can potentially prevent you from obtaining a patent? The...
When it comes to reviewing Section 2 of Form I-9, I see many mistakes when Employers accept and put down the incorrect social security card as a List C document. Per USCIS guidelines, a Social Security that is UNRESTRICTED (see image below) is an acceptable List C...
Generally speaking, if you purchase an item you have the right to resell it. This is an actual intellectual property law called the first sale doctrine. Here is how it is defined: “The first sale doctrine, codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109, provides that an individual who...
Trade secrets are like the James Bond of the business world—mysterious, powerful, and they require the utmost protection. A recent scandal involving a former Samsung employee leaking confidential information to rival firms is an example of how both companies and...
When we talk about trademarks, we often address concrete items that can be registered, like logos, symbols, words, or phrases. But what about the general “look and feel” or shape of a place or product? This protectable aspect of trademark law – known as “trade dress”...
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