Insights
If You Embed a Photo from Instagram, Is It Copyright Infringement?
At this point, it should come as no surprise that the internet is the Wild West of intellectual property law. Between AI-generated content and complex layers of transmitting other people’s ideas, it can prove difficult to draw the lines of copyright ownership,...
16 Marks Gray attorneys recognized by US News Best Lawyers
We are thrilled to announce 16 Marks Gray attorneys have been recognized by 𝘜.𝘚. 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘓𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴 for 2024! Two selected as “Lawyer of the Year” and four as Ones to Watch. Their dedication and commitment to excellence have earned them this prestigious honor. Being...
Court: Fees and Permits for Commercial Filming at National Parks Are Reasonable Under First Amendment
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....
Zora Neal Hurston’s Home Town Fights Development of Historic Land on Civil Rights Grounds
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...
Indiana Jones and the Backpack of Litigiousness
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...
Silence is Golden: Why Speaking About Your Invention Can Jeopardize Your Patent Rights
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...
What to do if you are presented a Restricted Social Security Card?
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...
Chanel Files Trademark Case against Business Selling Altered Chanel Buttons
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...