October 14, 2020

Electric Adventure Vehicles and Trade Secrets (Tesla v. Rivian)

What do you do when you think an employee emailed themselves trade secrets after resigning? In Tesla v. Rivian, Rivian got sued.

February 5, 2020

Is it Worth the Hassle to Protect Your Cannabis Brand?

As of January 1st, 2020, 33 states have legalized medical or recreational marijuana. This is great news for cannabis companies. Now the bad news: Cannabis companies are still unable to obtain trademark protection on products and services that “touch the flower”.  

Did You Get Punk’d By a Trademark Spammer or Patent Troll?

September 25, 2019

Did You Get Punk’d By a Trademark Spammer or Patent Troll?

The United States Patent and Trademark Office recently issued a caution, saying that a number of private companies are spamming trademark applicants and registrants. These spammers are leading unsuspecting applicants and registrants to believe payment of a fee to the company is required to maintain their application or registration. 

May 8, 2019

Almost Infamous: Separating Your Product From Defective Brands

In late 2015, Segway, maker of the famous two-wheeled, self-balancing scooter, sued a company called Swagway, then-producer of a motorized transporter called Hovertrax — aka, a hoverboard. Swagway’s hoverboards were reported to cause fires and injuries (which they were already being sued for). Compounding the negative coverage were the many problematic hoverboard knockoffs.

April 24, 2019

Cybersquatting: What To Do When Someone Is Holding Your Brand’s Domain Hostage

Just because someone else owns a domain with your trademark or brand name in it doesn’t mean it’s cybersquatting. Domain investing is permitted, so long is there is no bad faith intent, which can be a fine line.