The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries. It began after World War II, in large part because many Europeans felt that countries which trade and work closely with each other are less likely to go to war and attempt to invade their partner states. Now, the EU is […]
Category: Podcast
Converse Case Proves Secondary Meaning Requirements Are Getting Tougher
A couple of months ago we spoke about copyright protection for clothing designs. Now it’s time to talk about shoes and trademarks. Converse, the maker of the ubiquitous Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers, filed lawsuits against thirty shoe manufacturers, importers, and retailers over the last two years alleging trademark infringement of its shoe design. Converse […]
The Defend Trade Secrets Act: New Federal Law, New Litigation Options
On May 11, 2016, President Obama enacted a new federal trade secret protection law known as the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA). The DTSA makes federal protection against the misappropriation of trade secrets available to private parties. Before the DTSA, private parties who sought to protect their trade secrets from misappropriation were limited […]
Music & Politics Don’t Mix – Or Do They?
It’s political convention time once again and that means more intellectual property drama! This political season has already given us trademark disputes involving cease and desist letters and living person name registrations. Now we have copyright issues – specifically, music copyright issues. Politicians and political parties often choose popular music as the background for their conventions. […]
Brexit Intellectual Property Issues (Part 1)
On June 23, 2016, in a referendum dubbed “Brexit” voters in the United Kingdom (UK) opted to leave the European Union (EU), sending economic and political shockwaves around the globe. Obviously, the actual Brexit process will not be taking place immediately. The UK must first formally notify the EU of its intention to leave the […]
Does Your Business Comply with the New Federal Trade Secret Law?
Understanding the New Federal Trade Secret Law On May 11, 2016, President Obama enacted a new federal trade secret protection law as part of an update to the Economic Espionage Act of 1996 (EEA). The new trade secret law, known as the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (DTSA), makes federal protection against the misappropriation […]