Nonprofit Basics: Grant Agreements—Matching Grants, IP, Recoverable Grants & More
The Briefing: Trademark Basics - Protecting Names, Logos, and Brands in Entertainment
The Rise of OTAs in Defense Contracting: Opportunities, Risks, and What Contractors Need to Know
Money-Saving Licensing Tips for Startups
PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - Cease and Desist Letters: Protecting Your Intellectual Property the Right Way
PODCAST: PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - Cease and Desist Letters: Protecting Your Intellectual Property the Right Way
A Counterintuitive Approach to Winning Without Litigation: One-on-One with Haley Morrison
SkadBytes Podcast | Tech’s Shifting Landscape: Five Trends Shaping the Conversation
Tips for Conducting a Trade Secret Assessment with Rob Jensen
Will I Get Sued if I Create Another Hospital Drama? — No Infringement Intended Podcast
Essential Steps to Sell Your Business
Mickey Mouse: un ratón con abogado
(Podcast) The Briefing: The Ninth Circuit Puts the Brakes on Eleanor’s Copyright Claim
The Briefing: The Ninth Circuit Puts the Brakes on Eleanor’s Copyright Claim
Unexpected Paths to IP Law with Dan Young and Colin White
Why Can't I Clean the Graffiti Off My Walls? — No Infringement Intended Podcast
(Podcast) The Briefing: Trademark Smoked: The Fall of General Cigar’s COHIBA Registration
The Briefing: Trademark Smoked: The Fall of General Cigar’s COHIBA Registration
PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast - NCAA Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Update – Effects of House Settlement
In this episode of The Upper Brand, Richard Assmus, Kristine Young, and Christa Cole delve into key court cases that have shaped trademark law. They explore the intricacies of functional and generic trademarks, with insights...more
Amazon is the biggest third-party online marketplace in the United States and a go-to platform for numerous businesses. However, to get the most out of selling on Amazon, it is essential to join the Amazon Brand Registry....more
Registering a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides significant legal benefits, including nationwide protection and the presumption of ownership. Federal registration is a smart investment for...more
A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design—or a combination of these—that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services of one party from those of others. Essentially, a trademark is your brand’s identity...more
You have a brand—a trademark—for your business. Perhaps it is a word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services. At its heart, trademark law is...more
Keen sports observers sometimes use trademark applications to try to identify the names and locations of potential expansion teams that may be coming to sports leagues. Recent trademark applications by the WNBA and National...more
During uncertain economic times, it may be tempting to forego the expense of filing for (or maintaining) a federal registration to protect a trademark, relying instead on common law rights acquired through use in commerce....more
Identical trademarks can coexist, as the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board once again emphasized when it overturned the refusal of a COMPASSION IN ACTION mark. ...more
As major watch industry events are fast approaching in 2025, it may be time for businesses to reevaluate or add to the tools at their disposal to protect and expand their watch-related brand. ...more
In 2024, Utah made its big debut in the National Hockey League, adding a new team to the league and a new reason for fans to get excited. The challenge for the team owner, Uyte, LLC, wasn’t just about building a roster of...more
With the rise of generative artificial intelligence (“GenAI”), many are wondering how it will affect intellectual property law. While much has been written on the subject of copyright law – and the numerous gray areas that...more
Your nonprofit's name, logo, and slogans are more than just branding—they're valuable assets that should be protected and strengthened. Taking the right trademark steps can prevent legal issues, maintain your brand's...more
Taylor Swift’s upcoming trademark deadline has sparked speculation that she is gearing up to release Reputation (Taylor’s Version). In February 2021, Swift’s legal team filed an intent-to-use (ITU) trademark application for...more
As my colleague Puya Partow-Navid recently wrote, popular or viral phrases in the sports world are often the subjects of trademark registrations. Women’s sports are no exception. 2024 was a banner year for women’s sports,...more
Brands are taking over the produce aisle at the grocery store. They have already conquered the cereal aisle, the soda aisle, the chips aisle, and the cookie aisle (my favorite). While there have always been produce brands...more
In an era of content creation, social media influencers are tasked with the creative job of building a personal brand to influence the general public’s purchasing decisions and lifestyle choices. Creating a brand identity...more
It’s December, and everywhere you go, the streets and stores are awash in seasonal décor, and holiday products and Christmas programming are glistening in your eyes once again. In the spirit of the season, we have compiled...more
Small business owners should consider securing a federal trademark registration as a means of safeguarding their business identity and distinguishing themselves from competitors. Although you are not required to register a...more
I distinctly remember purchasing the Superman/Spiderman team-up when it came out in 1981. It was an oversized comic book, with heavier than usual pages and a vibrant color scheme, and that made it perfect for laying it out on...more
Not everything can be protected as a trademark. Certain types of material are specifically excluded from trademark protection under U.S. law. As a startup founder, it’s crucial to understand what cannot be registered as a...more
In trademark law, the concept of distinctiveness is central to protecting your brand and ensuring it stands out in the marketplace. Understanding the levels of trademark distinctiveness can help startup founders make informed...more
As you dive into the world of trademarks to protect your brand, one element you will encounter during the registration process with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the “specimen of use.” Understanding this...more
Every month, Erise’s trademark attorneys review the latest developments at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, in the courts, and across the corporate world to bring you the stories that you should know about: Toms...more
Trademarks serve as the cornerstone of brand identity, distinguishing the goods and services of one enterprise from those of another. Trademarks are not just legal tools: they are critical assets. They encapsulate the...more
While many brand owners are generally aware of and work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to record trademark and copyright registrations and help with seizures, fewer may understand the role of the National...more