“Teeth” of Copyright Law Getting Lots of Attention in 2016
Awards of statutory damages and attorney’s fees give copyright law its “teeth” to discourage infringers. Sometimes, the mere credible possibility of these two remedies can…
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Screenplay Copyright Infringement Case Highlights Need for Submission Agreements
A basic tenet of copyright law is that it does not protect ideas, which is one of the lessons that two screenwriters learned the hard…
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Bikram Prepares for Appeal to SCOTUS in Copyright Infringement Case
Well that didn’t take long… Yoga guru Bikram Choudhury has begun laying the groundwork for an appeal to the US Supreme Court of his copyright infringement…
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Of Trademarks & T-Shirts: Tales of Superdad and a Beast
Purveyors of T-shirts beware: before you invest in a design with a clever play on words or an adaptation of an iconic drawing, consider these…
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9th Circuit Slams the Door on Bikram’s Rehearing Request
The 9th Circuit has rejected Bikram’s request for an en banc rehearing after losing his copyright infringement case at the district court and appellate levels.…
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Popcorn-Worthy: First Amendment Plays Key Role in Recent Trademark Cases
Two recent cases demonstrate rare intersections of trademark and constitutional law that may require onlookers to get some popcorn ready as the arguments play out in…
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Four Pitfalls to Avoid with Independent Contractor Agreements
Many small businesses utilize independent contractors because they offer certain advantages over hiring employees, like reducing overhead costs and avoiding headaches such as payroll taxes…
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Copyright Claims in Video Game Characters Dismissed in World of Warcraft Case
Gaming behemoth Blizzard Entertainment, makers of the World of Warcraft franchise, suffered a setback when a federal judge threw out the complaint in its copyright…
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USPTO Program Lets Trademark Rights Adapt as Technology Evolves
A USPTO program available this fall allows owners to amend their trademark registrations in cases where the goods or services originally identified with their marks…
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Three Reasons Why Your Website Privacy Policy May Need Revamping
When launching a website, most small businesses treat their privacy policies as an afterthought. However, a privacy policy that meets any of the descriptions below…
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Bikram Requests Extension to Consider Rehearing of Yoga Copyright Case
Bikram’s appellate counsel has asked the 9th Circuit for an extension of time to consider whether to file for a rehearing in his yoga copyright…
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Four Legal Mistakes Small Business Owners Make When Starting Out
In the rush of starting a business, many owners overlook or give short shrift to the critical issues listed below, which can affect the viability…
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Can’t Take the Heat: No Copyright Protection for Bikram Yoga Sequence
After years of litigation in multiple cases spanning more than a decade, the Bikram Yoga copyright controversy may finally be resolved. In an opinion rendered…
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3 Legal Tips for Bands Looking to Hit It Big
You got into music because it’s your dream. You put up with hours of rehearsals, the rigors of recording, and the hardships of gigging. “What…
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