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Supreme Court Rules Trademark Tacking Is a Question of Fact Image

Supreme Court Rules Trademark Tacking Is a Question of Fact

Rhojonda A. Debrow Cornett

Priority of use is a hallmark of trademark law. Over the years, lower courts have recognized a doctrine called "tacking," under which a trademark owner may "clothe a new mark with the priority position of an older mark." The key to the tacking doctrine is that the new trademark must "create the same, continuing commercial impression" as the old mark. In <i>Hana Financial</i>, the U.S. Supreme Court considered the question and settled the circuit split, holding that tacking is a question for the jury.

Features

Asymmetrical Reporting Image

Asymmetrical Reporting

Joseph A. DiRuzzo, III

As the regulatory state continues to grow with every passing year, businesses' obligations to provide information to, and file reports/forms with, local, state, and federal governmental agencies increases. Each filing also represents justification to the IRS to audit a business (to the extent that justification is needed).

Features

Information Security Image

Information Security

Leonard Deutchman

For the past few years, considerable public discussion about the need for law firms to address information security, or InfoSec, issues with their clients. InfoSec can hardly qualify as the next big thing. However, the Sony story has brought the issue front and center and, as we get further into 2015, we can be sure that the issue will only grow.

Features

Are Franchisors 'Employers'? Image

Are Franchisors 'Employers'?

Glenn Plattner & Kristy A. Murphy

Part One of this article analyzed what recent court and NLRB decisions are saying about the franchisor/franchisee employment question. The discussion continues herein.

Features

Why Social Media Should Not Be Ignored Image

Why Social Media Should Not Be Ignored

Susan Carol, Darron Markwood & Byron Saintsing

At the annual Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's (ELFA) Convention this past October, the social media panel discussion was surprisingly well attended. Such interest was unexpected because there are many industry executives who still don't see the value of including social media in their business communications mix. But, they should not ignore it, and this article will explain why.

Features

Is Band's Name Too Offensive For Trademark Approval? Image

Is Band's Name Too Offensive For Trademark Approval?

Scott Graham

Offensive band names are a staple of rock music. Rock fans of a certain age will remember The Dead Kennedys of punk rock fame. The Butthole Surfers, Pussy Galore and Dying Fetus developed substantial followings despite, or because of, their outrageous names. Oregon dance rock band The Slants is another that seems determined to provoke.

Features

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 Image

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014

Richard H. Stieglitz & Nichol Chiarella

On Dec. 19, 2014, the President signed into law the long-awaited year-end tax package, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (TIPA). This law extended to the end of 2014 many but not all of the individual, business, and energy provisions that expired at the end of 2013. In addition, the law provides for a new tax-advantaged savings program to aide in meeting the financial needs of disabled individuals, called the " Achieving a Better Life Experience" (ABLE) program.

Features

Federal Circuit Finds Claims Directed to DNA Primers and Methods of Use Unpatentable Image

Federal Circuit Finds Claims Directed to DNA Primers and Methods of Use Unpatentable

Veronica Mullally Munoz

The Federal Circuit's decision in <i>Univ. of Utah Research Found. v. Ambry Genetics Corp.</i> is the latest in the series of <i>Myriad</i> cases dealing with the patentability of genetic material.

Features

Pricing It Right: Restructuring Billing Image

Pricing It Right: Restructuring Billing

Tam Harbert

As pressure on pricing continues, Big Law firms are buying (or building) analytics technology and hiring pricing specialists ' people who use market data, internal firm data and economics/pricing experience to ensure that firms are smart about bidding on work. The mission: Educate clients about the value the firm brings, while making sure to charge enough to make a profit.

Features

Unpaid Royalty Suits Rain Down on Music Streaming Services Image

Unpaid Royalty Suits Rain Down on Music Streaming Services

Ross Todd

Sirius XM Radio's recent clubbing in litigation over the rights to pre-1972 sound recordings has unleashed a series of suits against Google, Apple, Sony and music streaming service Rdio.

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