Artists, authors, musicians, photographers and others in New York create various works in their careers. These are original works that people put a lot of time and effort into creating and in many situations, want the world to experience them. However, as it is often...
Trademarks and Copyrights
Why distinctiveness matters in the trademark context
A trademark can be extremely valuable to your business. It can build brand recognition and serve as a symbol of quality and goodwill. But creating and policing a mark can be more complicated endeavors than many people realize. That’s why as you navigate your...
Safe harbor and takedown notices
In New York, protecting one’s intellectual property is a fundamental part of maintaining and growing a business. Since the basics are often changing, this can be a complex area that many business owners are unaware of how to navigate. For example, if an entity owns a...
The 101 on trademark infringement
Whether it is the Nike “swoosh” or McDonald’s “Big Mac” trademarks are part of our every-day lives. Trademarks are significant and valuable assets to any business, and businesses need to ensure their trademarks are fully protected. This means ensuring trademark...
Does the fair use doctrine apply to your advertising?
Advertising can be the lifeblood of a business. Regardless of the medium used, advertising is an important way to draw in new customers and reestablish your relationship with existing ones. But advertising can also be a minefield of potential litigation, particularly...
Vanessa Bryant files for KB24 trademark
Vanessa Bryant, the widow of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has reportedly filed to register a trademark for the term “KB24”. Before his death, Kobe Bryant had begun to build a presence in digital media and his widow’s recent intellectual property endeavors may be part of a...
Nirvana faces another copyright infringement lawsuit
Nirvana, the famous grunge band from the 90’s that spawned Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters is facing yet another intellectual property dispute. The band has faced copyright infringement litigation for the last several years over its popular smiley face t-shirt after...
Do New Bands And Musicians Need IP Protection?
New artists are so focused on honing their sound and writing and performing music that they may not consider the intellectual property's implications related to their work. There are quite a few things that musicians can copyright or trademark to protect their musical...
Terrible Towel trademark infringement claim settled
New Yorkers, and football fans nationwide, may be thrilled that the 2020-2021 NFL season is here at last. Yet along with the party snacks, novelty foam fingers, and occasional beer or two, some football fans may have a “Terrible Towel” to waive during the game. They...
Supreme Court rules showing willful infringement not necessary
New York residents and businesses may be interested in reading about a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding trademark law. It ruled that a plaintiff may still win a profits remedy without showing that the defendant willfully infringed on the company's...