Special Announcement: US Copyright Registration Fee Changes
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Mar 25, 2020 in Copyrights
The United States Copyright Office (USCO) has announced a new fee schedule that went into effect on Friday, March 20, 2020. This follows a comprehensive cost study, an evaluation of budget requirements, and a review of previous proposals and public commentary. The changes are an attempt by the USCO to balance its expenses. Not all fees increased. Some decreased. And some, like group applications for photos, have remained the same. The most widely-affected cross-section of […]
Continue ReadingEmergency Bridge Loans for Florida Small Businesses to Help with Coronavirus Relief
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Mar 19, 2020 in Intellectual Property
I work with many small and medium-sized businesses on a regular basis. It goes without saying that the impact of the COVID-19 virus has been substantial to many small businesses in Florida and throughout the United States. Because of this, the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida is trying to get the following message out to as many small businesses in Florida as possible: “Florida small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus […]
Continue ReadingState University of New York Sues Former Students for Using Trademark
Marks Gray Mar 12, 2020 in Intellectual Property
It is no secret that universities have become big brands doing even bigger business. You are also probably not surprised to hear that alumni pride for nearly every well-known university is just as big. But SUNY’s lawsuit against two former students is an illustration of when alumni pride may just cross the line. SUNY Gives Alumni Business a Crash Course on Trademark Infringement Two SUNY alums have been doing business as Triple O Entertainment for […]
Continue ReadingHow Public Pressure to Boycott Backcountry Brand Halted One Trademark Infringement Claim
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Mar 6, 2020 in Intellectual Property
Last year, on advice from their legal team, Backcountry.com decided to pursue a trademark infringement claim on a small Colorado-based business named Marquette Backcountry Ski. The comparative giant of retail outdoor sports and equipment, Backcountry.com, filed suit against Marquette Backcountry Ski (and a dozen others, actually) for using the term “backcountry” in their name. What Backcountry.com did not consider was public response. Small Business Owner in Colorado Stands His Ground in Court When Backcountry.com sued […]
Continue ReadingScam Alert: Misleading Trademark Offers And Notices
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Feb 27, 2020 in Trademark
Scams, deceptive offers, and solicitations from third-party vendors are abundant in the world of trademarks. Trademark owners who choose to register their trademarks through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) usually start receiving misleading correspondence through email or the U.S. Mail within days of filing a trademark application. Once you file a trademark application with the USPTO, the application becomes a public record in a matter of days. All of your contact information […]
Continue ReadingBearing False Witness or False Goods
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Feb 20, 2020 in Intellectual Property
Written by Guest Author, Marks Gray Associate Logan McEwen The internet and associated commerce significantly reduced barriers for the entry of new and small businesses, primarily in marketing and consumer reach. What business owners (and their attorneys) now encounter with increasing frequency are counterfeiters and unscrupulous competitors. In the age of dropshipping, internet reviews, consumer forums, social media, and digital storefronts, bad actors in the marketplace can hit the ground running to start counterfeiting your […]
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