As embarrassing as it is to admit, many small businesses try to cut corners and save time and money by drafting their own business documents and agreements. It may seem harmless to create and present a business document or agreement without the review and oversight of an attorney but a lawsuit can be an expensive […]
A copyright is a type of intellectual property. It protects works of art and expression such as, photographs, paintings, drawings, musical compositions, recordings, computer programs, videogames, sculptures, books, movies, and much more. Copyright protection exists at the moment a work is put into a tangible, fixed medium of expression. However, there are many important benefits […]
Comedians, writers, YouTubers, and moviemakers are known for their hilarious and entertaining spoofs. Spaceballs (Star Wars), Scary Movie (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer), and Amish Paradise (Gangsta’s Paradise), are all great examples. In legal terms, these “spoofs” fall into two categories: parodies and satires. If you are a content creator, knowing the […]
A trademark is a “word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these things that identifies your goods or services.” For hundreds of years businesses, merchants, and craftsmen have used trademarks to identify the source of their goods and services. The Chinese used them on pottery as early as 2698 B.C. The ancient Romans put […]
As we discussed in our previous post, it can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to register a trademark. If you make a mistake on the application, it might be amendable, in which case you are lucky and it will only waste time. However, if it is an unamendable mistake, it will not only […]
It can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to register a trademark. If you make a mistake on the application, it might be amendable, in which case you are lucky and it will only waste time. However, if it is an unamendable mistake, it will not only cost you time but also money because […]
A common question we are asked relates to signatures on documents like agreements, contracts, etc. It seems like there are many opinions and misconceptions on whether or not an electronic signature (e-signature) is as effective as an original document signed (or counter-signed) by both parties. We’d like to help answer some of those questions in […]
A land contract is an agreement between a buyer and seller where the owner provides financing to the seller. In most scenarios, the buyer makes monthly payments to the seller over an agreed upon period of time, and then a balloon payment is paid later to complete the agreed upon amount. The buyer assumes possession, […]
Intellectual property covers patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Companies and inventors alike protect their intellectual property. It is equally important to understand if someone else’s intellectual property is protected before using that intellectual property without their permission. So, how long does each of the four types of intellectual properties last? Patents are issued as […]
1. Conflict Search A conflict search will help you identify potential conflicts with prior registrants and prior applicants that are in similar industries and use similar names or logos that might present a likelihood of confusion. Once you’ve identified your mark that has low risk, we can help you apply for trademark registration. The application […]
