Are You Really Using Your Trademark? What “Use in Commerce” Means
What qualifies as trademark use in commerce? Learn what counts for products, services and websites—and why proper use matters for protecting your brand.
Registered Does Not Mean Forever: Why Continuous Trademark Use Matters
A federal registration does not protect a trademark forever. Learn why continuous use in commerce and regular portfolio reviews are key to keeping your rights.
Who Owns the Intellectual Property When a Founder Leaves or Sells a Business?
Founders often assume they own what they created. The law frequently disagrees. What determines IP ownership when a founder exits or the company is sold.
Summer Trademark Filing Tips: Protect Your Brand Before Business Heats Up
Summer marketing raises your brand’s visibility — and the stakes. A practical checklist for filing your trademark before a conflict forces a costly rebrand.
First-to-File vs. First-to-Use: Why Understanding the Difference Can Save Your Brand
The U.S. grants trademark rights through use; most countries grant them to whoever files first. Understanding the difference protects your brand abroad.
Taylor Swift’s Voice Trademark: Can AI Clone a Brand Identity?
Taylor Swift is trying to trademark her voice. Can trademark law, built on use in commerce, protect a celebrity voice against AI imitation?
Intellectual Property in M&A: Protecting Trademarks & Copyrights in the AI Era
In today’s M&A market, brand identity and copyrighted content drive both deal value and legal risk. What IP due diligence and post-merger integration require.
Trademark Appeals Board: “CHATGPT” Is Descriptive but Can Still Be Registered ⚖️
The TTAB held that CHATGPT is descriptive, yet OpenAI’s application survives on acquired distinctiveness under Section 2(f). Here is what it means for tech brands.
Want to Trademark a Sound? Here’s How Brands Like Intel, NBC, and MGM Did It
When you think of a trademark, you might picture a logo, wordmark, or slogan. But did you know that a sound can also be protected as a trademark? From the deep roar of MGM’s lion to NBC’s iconic three-note chimes to Intel’s futuristic audio logo, sound marks are a powerful way for brands to stand […]
Are You Liable for Copyright Infringement if Users Post Infringing Art on Your Website or Social Network?
If you run a website, social network, or any kind of platform where users can upload or share content — artwork, videos, music, or anything else — you might be wondering: Am I legally responsible if one of my users uploads something that infringes copyright? The short answer: Not necessarily — but only if you […]