Written by: Karl Braun, Esq. Photographs represent a unique and plentiful form of personal and professional expression. Photographs also constitute intellectual property. The pervasive proliferation of photographs on the internet via social media, advertising, news stories, branding, etc. blurs our understanding of associated intellectual property rights. We have clients often inquiring about the unauthorized use or sharing of their photographs. We also receive inquiries from recipients of notices alleging

Written by: Karl M. Braun, Esq. Kanye West filed suit in Superior Court, Los Angeles County at the end of January, 2019 against EMI April Music, Inc. and EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. seeking declaratory relief, restitution and a constructive trust, alleging unjust enrichment through EMI’s alleged violation of California Labor Code Section 2855 (The De Havilland Law). California Labor Code Section 2855 prevents a court from enforcing specific performance of

Written by: Mina Zhan, Esq. Do-It-Yourself U.S. trademark filings from anywhere in the world may no longer be the story by the end of 2019.  On February 15, 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a proposal to change federal trademark law. The USPTO is looking to require any trademark applicants, registrants, and parties who have a permanent legal residence or a principal place of business

Written by: Reid Morelli, Esq. and Andrew Bayudan Counterfeiting continues to remain one of most dangerous threats to I.P. owners – cutting into owners' profits and injuring reputations. Counterfeit products bear the insignia of a trademark owner's brand without permission and are often of an inferior quality. A business’ success relies on providing high quality products and trustworthy branding and counterfeiting can undermine not just revenue, but also a brand’s

Written by: Karl Braun, Esq. As a brief introduction to discussion of the new Orrin G. Hatch–Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (“MMA”), a cursory understanding of a few key terms and concepts is essential. An “artist” in the context of the MMA is a performer on a sound recording (“sound recording” may also be referred to as a “master” or “master recording”). A “songwriter” or “composer” is self- explanatory.

Written by: Karl Braun, Esq. and Larry Cheng The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently considered whether the Google name should continue to receive trademark protection. Specifically, the Ninth Circuit examined whether the term “google” had become generic. In 2012, Chris Gillespie acquired 763 domain names that included the term “google.” For example, Gillespie registered for domain names such as “googledisney.com,” “googlebarackobama.net,” and “googlenewtvs.com.” Google, Inc. (“Google”) opposed

Written by: Sam Crochet, Esq. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently reviewed the constitutionality of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s (TTAB) holding that a mark was unregistrable due to its “disparaging” nature. “The Slants,” an Asian-American musical band, attempted to register its name with the US Patent and Trademark Office. After the examining attorney and TTABrefused to register the mark under 15 USCA §1052(a), the Court