Features
Software Maker Files Appeal in Batman Film Trademark Suit
Software company Fortres Grand is pressing to revive its trademark infringement claims against Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. for using the name of the real-life "Clean Slate" computer program in the Batman movie <i>The Dark Knight Rises</i> .
Columns & Departments
Cameo Clips
Maryland Federal Court Issues Ruling in Dispute over Boxer Roberto Duran's Life Story<br>New York Federal Court Refuses to Apply First-Filed Exception to Dispute Over "Bette Davis Eyes" Jewelry
Features
It's a Licensee Eats Licensee World
These days, it is commonplace for companies to license multiple parties in various distinct geographical areas to use the same trademark. Because different licensees may be competitors of one another in different product lines, the question often arises as to whether one licensee may challenge another's right to use a licensed mark and, if so, where.
Features
Changes Recommended to Australian Franchising Legislation
The change of federal government in Australia on Sept. 7, 2013 has created some uncertainty in relation to the changes to the Franchising Code of Conduct that were expected to result from a recent comprehensive review of the Code.
Features
The 'Friendly Fraud' Chargeback
The abuse of the chargeback option has resulted in a "friendly fraud" epidemic harming not only merchants, but the very consumers the programs were designed to help.
Columns & Departments
Court Watch
Covenants Against Competition Find Disfavor In Recent Cases
Features
<i>Inter Partes</i> Reviews
In September of last year, the America Invents Act introduced a number of powerful tools for challenging the validity of an issued patent at the USPTO ' Inter Partes Review (IPR), Covered Business Method Review (CBMR), and Post-Grant Review (PGR). By a large margin, however, the most popular of these procedures has been the IPR.
Features
Salespeople at Law Firms?
Research over the past four years is showing a slow-moving upward trend of law firms hiring professional salespeople. This trend spans all sizes of firms, from small to global. The backgrounds of these professionals varies; primarily, they come to firms from a solid background of success in the sales world, many having worked against assigned quotas and on partial commission.
Features
Read the Fine Print
The difficulties of securing important company and customer data are not new to franchised businesses, but the scale of the problem continues to increase. A new white paper by insurance consultants Peter R. Taffae and M. Damien Magnuson indicate another threat: inadequate insurance coverage when security breaches occur.
Features
Moderate Industry Growth Expected Through Year's End
In its Q4 update to the 2013 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation expects investment in equipment and software to grow 3.3% in 2013. The report, which is focused on the $725 billion equipment leasing and finance industry, forecasts equipment investment and capital spending in the United States and evaluates the effects of various related and external factors in play currently and into the foreseeable future.
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