New Division and Merger Regulations Make Protecting Trademarks Internationally Easier
The international treaty that allows international registration, the Madrid Protocol, continues to become more and more user friendly. Back in August of 2018, I wrote about Canada’s upcoming accession to the Madrid Protocol, which will make securing a Canadian trademark more cost-effective and streamlined. On February 1st, the ability to divide and merge international registrations […]
Securing IP Rights In Cannabis Branding Without A Trademark, What?
Cannabis continues to grow as states become more and more accepting of its use for medical and recreational use. The problem is that the Federal government is a bit behind the times and it has implications on the IP portfolio of growers, distributors, and dispensaries.
Smells Like Copyright Infringement
It has often been said that every fashion trend comes back into style, eventually. The cycle not only seems to be alive and well, but also fertile grounds for litigation. Just last week, Nirvana filed suit against clothing designer Marc Jacobs in California federal court, alleging copyright infringement for Jacobs’ unauthorized use of the Nirvana […]
Patent Office Facing Closure Soon, Other Offices Keeping Doors Open Longer
The USPTO has now indicated that the Patent Office will need to stop operations coming the second week of February. Although this information is a bit vague, indications from Examiner’s I have spoken with point to February 4th, which is the first day of a new bi-week.
How Is the Prolonged Shutdown Impacting Your IP?
We are drudging into week 5 of the unprecedented government shutdown. The shutdown caused a variety of issues across the country, including national park closures and TSA crippling under the financial constraints placed on employees. But what does the shutdown mean for your intellectual property?
New Patent Office Guidelines May Stifle Alice’s Reign Of Terror On What Can Be Patented
There is a ray, eh, a glimmer of hope that change is coming to how the Patent Office decides what is and is not eligible for receiving a patent. On January 7, the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance became effective. The guidance intends to improve clarity, consistency, and predictability at the USPTO.
