Does a Public University Need a Protective Order?
Edward L. Birk Mar 14, 2023 in Media Law
Colleges and universities that receive public funds are subject to open records law. Are there any limits? At Oklahoma University, NonDoc Media and their editor-in-chief, Tres Savage, have been engaged in a struggle with OU’s petition for a protective order. The goal of the protective order: To keep certain documents from an investigation unpublished – and out of the public eye. The investigation deals with sexual harassment allegations from 2019 against a former OU coach […]
Continue Reading
Sharrow Marine’s MX Propeller: How a Design Patent Helps Cultivate Group Invention
Mitchell Ghaneie Mar 9, 2023 in Intellectual Property
In 2022, Florida boasted the most registered boats for recreation per capita. With the ocean on both sides and many waterways, we are a boating people. All that to say, this week’s post may appeal more to our Floridian audience. We’re looking at a recent design patent for a novel boat propeller. The Sharrow MX Propeller Sharrow Marine published their new design for the Sharrow MX Propeller through its patent application in May 2022. The […]
Continue ReadingHow Far Will Racine, WI Go to Conceal a City Public Records Misstep?
Edward L. Birk Mar 9, 2023 in News
If you’re the “wrong” person requesting the “wrong” city public records from the “wrong” officials, you can have a very tough time indeed. You might even endure a years-long legal struggle. Of course, by “wrong” in all these instances, I really mean: Some public agencies or officials will go to great lengths to conceal information that could be unflattering. A former alderwoman for the city of Racine, WI experienced this level of near-persecution in response […]
Continue ReadingDid PETA Public Records Suit Misreport OSHU’s Behavior or Hold them Accountable?
Edward L. Birk Mar 7, 2023 in Media Law
Does a public records suit always conform to a good guy vs. bad guy narrative? Is the requester always the hero, and the public entity is always the villain? Of course, it’s not that black and white. Public records laws were created to support government transparency and enshrine noble causes of democracy. But the flip side of that is: many government institution records are open to the public, to be requested, received, seen, and used […]
Continue ReadingCan Foreign Nationals Volunteer While Waiting for Work Authorization?
Marks Gray P.A. Mar 3, 2023 in HR Resources
🤔 I’m often asked by employers …. 👉 My employee wants to Do Volunteer Work while waiting for his/her work authorization… CAN WE DO THAT? Although volunteer work is essential and good for our communities to thrive because this work makes a tangible impact on the lives of people, animals, and organizations, in the context of the question above, volunteer work is NOT allowed. The Department of Labor (DOL) […]
Continue ReadingThe line between art made from existing products and brands has always been murky, and it is likely going to be a never ending question. Warhol’s pop culture prints. Dom Pérignon in Cédric Peers’ work. MSCHF’s “Wavy Baby” shoes. And now we can add NFT trademark infringement — NFTs using digital representations of existing trademarks — into this mix. How will such artwork be treated, legally speaking? We now have at least some precedent in […]
Continue Reading