News

May 05, 2017

Supreme Court Issues Key Decision Regarding Copyrightability of Design Features of Useful Articles By Alana M. Fuierer and Shanna K. Sanders On March 22, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court released its much-anticipated decision in Star Athletica v. Varsity Brands.[1] As readers of the Daily Record may remember,[2] the Star Athletica case was about whether the…

Mar 17, 2017

By Victor A. Cardona Question: Does a soon-to-be corporate name, DBA or web domain name protect my desired name from use by others under trademark law or do I need to take additional steps? Answer: No, the registration of your corporation name or state DBA registered pseudonym does not prevent others from using your name…

Jan 20, 2017

By Nick Mesiti There are generally three types of patents – utility, design and plant patents. Plant patents cover new plant breeds and hybrids. Utility patents cover the function and/or structure of processes, articles of manufacture and compositions of matter. Design patents cover ornamental designs for articles of manufacture. Thus, an article of manufacture can…

Nov 22, 2016

By Kristian E. Ziegler It’s one of the most instantly recognizable and iconic songs in rock music history. But was the opening guitar riff in Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” plagiarized? This past June, a U.S. federal jury in Los Angeles concluded that Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant did not copy the intro…