Insights
Trade Secrets Exposed – and Why You Should Keep Them Under Wraps
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...
Distinctive Trade Dress Granted to Guitar-Shaped Hotel
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”...
Marks Gray Expands, Opens St. Johns Office
Marks Gray, one of Jacksonville’s oldest law firms, announces it has expanded with a full-service office in St. Johns County. The office is located near the World Golf Village at 319 W. Town Place, Suite 27. The Marks Gray St. Johns Office team will host an open house...
How Many Oranges Will This FL Produce Stand Have to Sell to Offset a $160K Fine?
How do real estate laws impact the communities inhabiting and using the land? Ideally, zoning, building codes, permitting, and statutes help make buildings and their use benefit the community – rather than simply existing only to be avoided or swatted away....
This Artist Taped a Banana to a Wall – He Did Not Think It Would End in Copyright Litigation
Sometimes, thankfully, intellectual property law proves to be downright comical. The case we examine this week taps the funny bone and reads like the setup of a joke: How many artists does it take to duct tape a banana to a wall? To be more specific, how many artists...
Why Iron Maiden Thinks Consumers May Be Confused By a Proposed Trademark
Recently, a new undergarment company specializing in clothing accessories like bras, corsets, lingerie, shapewear, and underwear filed a trademark application. But a seemingly unlikely adversary has risen up to fight back against that application: legendary heavy...
INTA Conference: Monumental Trip to Singapore
When the International Trademark Association (INTA) announced several years ago that the 2020 Annual Meeting was going to be in Singapore, I debated whether or not I should attend. Many of my friends in the organization encouraged me to attend this international...
The Right to Copyrights: How Should Ownership Be Passed on After Death?
Imagine that you are the landlord of an elderly, reclusive tenant who has been with you for decades. Right before the tenant dies, he is moved to a nursing home and tells you he does not need anything from his apartment. It is all “yours.” He certainly does not give...