News & Resources

Did the City of Pasadena Infringe on the Rose Bowl Trademark?

Last week, U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte dismissed a lawsuit on behalf of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association (The Association) against the City of Pasadena. The lawsuit included several claims: The Association sought a declaration that the City of Pasadena did not have an ownership interest in the ROSE BOWL GAME trademark or the ROSE BOWL trademark. The Association sought a declaration that if a force majeure event should occur under the Master License […]

Continue Reading

What’s Mine Is…Yours? Distinguishing Trade Secrets from Other Forms of IP

Written By Guest Author, Marks Gray Summer Law Clerk Corrine H. Bowden Let’s say you develop a formula, method, or process, build a client list, or other compilation of information at work that derives independent economic value for the company and your employer takes reasonable steps to keep it secret. Who owns it – you or your employer? What if you developed it for technology or equipment owned by your employer? Or if you developed […]

Continue Reading

Intellectual Property Frequently Asked Questions – Volume 3: Trade Secrets

FAQ Series Continues… Intellectual Property Law can be a very confusing topic of conversation with clients, businesses, and friends. Today we are covering our third topic in our recurring Frequently Asked Questions series. Trade Secrets. What is a trade secret? The term “trade secret” means all forms and types of financial, business, scientific, technical, economic, or engineering information, including patterns, plans, compilations, program devices, formulas, designs, prototypes, methods, techniques, processes, procedures, programs, or codes, whether tangible […]

Continue Reading

The Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act: Thoughts for Employers and Business Owners

Original article posted on the Marks Gray Blog on June 15, 2016, here. In May 2016, President Obama signed into law the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA or Act).  The Act brings the federal protection of trade secrets on par with corresponding laws that apply to the other pillars of intellectual property, copyrights, patents, and trademarks. What is a trade secret –   The Act broadly defines “trade secret”: (3) the term “trade secret” means all […]

Continue Reading