By Megan St. Ledger | Successful branding strategies rely on trademarks to protect a company’s product names and logos. But as a company expands its product lines, additional registrations may be needed to secure the full protection afforded by trademark laws.
From Sporting Events to Snuggies: The Importance of Updating Your Trademarks Read More »
By Roger Hood | In November 2013, the Rhode Island Superior Court confirmed in its “Park Row” decision that, other than by specific exemption, RI employers must pay their employees time-and-a-half for hours worked on Sunday and holidays.
Court Confirms RI Employers Must Pay Time-And-A-Half Read More »
By Bob Emerson, Esq. | Small businesses may be able to solicit non-accredited investors over the internet and raise up to a million dollars per year under proposed “equity crowdfunding” rules released by the SEC last week.
Crowdfunding: A Capital Idea for Your Start-Up? Read More »
By Byron McMasters, Esq. | “Raging Bull” is the critically-acclaimed new movie from young director Martin Scorcese. It stars up-and-comer Robert De Niro in a potential break-out role of boxer Jake LaMotta. Unfortunately, the movie is embroiled in a copyright dispute that could derail its release, or at least cut into its profits.
Enforcing Copyrights: How Late is Too Late? Read More »
By Byron McMasters | I hate writing this, but Alex Rodriguez’s attorney is right. When Major League Baseball issued its surprise challenge to A-Rod’s attorney Joseph Tacopina on the Today Show that A-Rod could discuss the facts of his suspension provided MLB could publicly disclose all of its evidence in the case, it made for a great “gotcha” moment on live TV.
Inside Baseball: MLB Dares A-Rod to Waive Confidentiality on Drug Testing. Can He? Read More »
By Christopher Matteodo | Many states have become caught up in trying to lure Hollywood into using their state as the filming location for the next big-budget blockbuster. In the current challenging economic climate, the local production of large movies, television shows, and video games can help to stimulate the local economy by creating jobs, building infrastructure, and generating revenue for local businesses.
State Tax Credits For Film Production Companies: Show Me The Money! Read More »
By Byron McMasters | A federal appeals court recently reinstated former Rutgers University quarterback Ryan Hart’s lawsuit against videogame giant Electronic Arts, Inc. (EA) for allegedly violating his right of publicity by using his likeness and bio in its NCAA Football videogame.
Rights of Publicity and the Student-Athlete: Another Test for the NCAA Read More »
By Roger Hood | As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act, new regulations issued in March clarify tracking for employers with hourly employees who take time off for qualified FMLA leave. The new regulations serve as a reminder to employers that they must track using the smallest increment of time utilized for other types of leave that are offered to employees.
New Regs for Tracking FMLA Intermittent Leave: Use Smallest Increment Read More »
By Byron McMasters | Recently, Texas became the first state in the nation to introduce legislation authorizing the notice of a lawsuit via a social media site. If passed, the proposed legislation would authorize a judge to permit a plaintiff to serve the defendant through social media if the defendant maintains a social media page, regularly accesses the account and “could reasonably be expected to receive actual notice if the electronic communication were sent to the defendant’s account.”
Coming Soon to Your Social Media Page: That Court Summons You’ve Been Dodging Read More »
By Byron McMasters | The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s rejection of a trademark application made a rare appearance in the news recently when a new company called Evil Enterprises, Inc. was denied registration for the mark “Baseballs Evil Empire” that it intended to use in connection with a new clothing line.
Never Miss a Branding Opportunity: A Lesson From The Evil Empire Read More »