tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48178012234711243742024-02-19T06:11:44.796-05:00Legal Blog of Perdomo LawLegal Blog by NYC Business Lawyer, Fran Perdomo of Perdomo Law.Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-63750312056348590272023-01-17T17:53:00.001-05:002023-01-17T17:53:29.533-05:00Trademark Opposition <h1 style="text-align: left;">Trademark Opposition </h1><h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0B7obdVykoJsomEm2Y--AzGv4kMNfeBX0I04xmqqJ2sj7O4BdHAej2vEyH5_pfD_AtAnu-IEWnGtzNrMMqtNP-hpB6bSU4QAaCS2lI69QgCID41FbPP4HQ9mVcu-iChVt2aIewlEeePq001cks224aEhc3lT8EhDJ-lwlIsx98ZtyBb04L5o1gTI/s850/Trademark-Opposition-Perdomo-Law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="850" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0B7obdVykoJsomEm2Y--AzGv4kMNfeBX0I04xmqqJ2sj7O4BdHAej2vEyH5_pfD_AtAnu-IEWnGtzNrMMqtNP-hpB6bSU4QAaCS2lI69QgCID41FbPP4HQ9mVcu-iChVt2aIewlEeePq001cks224aEhc3lT8EhDJ-lwlIsx98ZtyBb04L5o1gTI/w808-h537/Trademark-Opposition-Perdomo-Law.jpg" width="808" /></a></div></h1><h1 style="text-align: left;">What is a Trademark?</h1><p>Trademarks can include specific colors, artwork, phrases, and more. It is even possible to trademark a distinctive sound or smell. The designs enable businesses to create memorable things that bring the company to mind when people see, hear, or smell specific things. Using them allows the instant identification of a product belonging to a company. Well-marketed trademarks are an effective and affordable method of advertising.<br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">What is Trademark Opposition?</h3><p>The application process for a trademark is not as easy and automatic as some people may expect. After applying, the USPTO will publish newly accepted trademark designs to allow others to submit an opposition if desired. The deadline for the process is 30 days after publication.<br /><br />Opposition to a trademark happens when someone sees the listing and files a complaint to reverse an approval. Opposition to an application does not need to wait until publication. It can also happen when someone applies. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/trademark-trial-and-appeal-board-lawyer-NYC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trademark Trial and Appeal Board</a> for those who wish to oppose an approval or those who want to reverse a denial.<br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Why Would Someone Oppose a Trademark?</h3><p>Oppositions can occur for different reasons. Former business partners may each claim the ownership of a trademark they designed together. Both people may wish to use the design or phrase for their new ventures. An opposition can happen if someone decides to register the trademark before an agreement becomes finalized between the former partners or if one side is not following a formal legal decision.<br /><br />A company with a registered trademark may believe another is too close in appearance to its own. The similarities may happen mistakenly or with the intent of making consumers believe the companies have a connection. The one opposing the approval may want to stop the other company from using it. They will oppose its use to avoid confusion for their customers. Competing businesses or entities may also attempt to register a trademark they will not use to prevent their competitor from using it. The USPTO requires those registering a trademark to have it in use for commerce, or the agency will deny the application.<br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Why Would You Need a Trademark Opposition Lawyer?</h4><p>A <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/trademark-opposition-lawyer" target="_blank">trademark opposition attorney</a> can help their clients to appeal a denied claim or to prevent someone from unfairly registering a trademark. Unfair registrations often include deceptive designs made to confuse consumers or harm a rival business. The legal process to stop the logo, slogan, or another item from going into use may begin before or after registration approval.<br /><br />Proceedings involving trademark opposition can be lengthy and complicated. Hiring an attorney can benefit those who must go to court, but the best reason to have legal help is to avoid the expense of a trial. An attorney can often successfully resolve legal complaints through a settlement that will save businesses time and money. If someone unfairly opposes a legitimate trademark, an attorney can help people retain the right to use the design they created.<br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>What Can Happen if You Do Not Have a Lawyer?</b></h4><p>Not hiring a trademark opposition lawyer could lead to negative consequences. Anyone attempting to stop the use of a trademark may not succeed. The trademark registration may receive approval, and any following appeals to stop it after the initial approval could fail.<br /><br />Someone wishing to register their trademark may lose the right to do so. The effects of a denied application could include the loss of time in advertising and marketing products while appealing the decision. If they lose an appeal, the time lost could extend further as they must develop a new trademark and begin the registration process again.<br /><br />Someone may register a trademark to harm a competing company. The approval enables the company to sell inferior products that resemble the higher-quality inventory of its competitor. The other business may experience a decline in sales and a damaged reputation as their customer unwittingly buy the lower quality items.<br /><br />If someone else has a similar trademark, it may force the original company to invest in designing new marketing materials to avoid confusion. An opposition can save them from undertaking the effort and retaining the product that belonged to them first.<br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>When Should You Consult with an Attorney?</b></h4><p>Contact a trademark opposition law firm immediately if any problem exists with a personal trademark or if one belonging to another entity causes concern. Any business owner who believes they may receive an application denial or if they want to stop the approval of a trademark should also schedule a consultation. A lawyer can offer advice during any part of the approval or appeal process.<br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Do You Need Assistance with Trademark Opposition?</h4><p>Trademarks are a valuable branding and marketing tool for every business owner. Protecting intellectual property and a business reputation are vital to creating and maintaining a successful enterprise. The application and appeal process can seem complex. Avoid confusion and unfair decisions by hiring a lawyer with experience in these cases.<br /><br /><b>About the Author</b><br /><br />Francelina M. Perdomo Klukosky is a trademark opposition attorney that can help anyone with related questions or concerns. Her law firm offers free legal consultations to enable people to determine if they have a case. Discover the options available to you.Learn more by visiting her website at <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perdomo Law</a>.<br /></p>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-77644375333145562482022-11-02T15:02:00.000-04:002022-11-02T15:02:48.891-04:00What is Entertainment Law? <h1 style="text-align: left;">What is Entertainment Law? </h1><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Pxf8OTEXRU4WsaLmDeSV5QoYMrmgjeFg_M4qe9TfJ5xGKU-R4S30MCAkB1XfM3giruqVPYxa9USNs_gRJFOzzpUSQPqTh4luTiSD4WbLc-UmueYkl3VELXgB5TrM_At5NzkKcVXkMrSGZvvAUcOczpeSXyE_NNJeDZVAW8wLrAH26duy_S8wlPX1/s1200/Entertainment-law-Perdomo-Law-Firm-NYC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1200" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Pxf8OTEXRU4WsaLmDeSV5QoYMrmgjeFg_M4qe9TfJ5xGKU-R4S30MCAkB1XfM3giruqVPYxa9USNs_gRJFOzzpUSQPqTh4luTiSD4WbLc-UmueYkl3VELXgB5TrM_At5NzkKcVXkMrSGZvvAUcOczpeSXyE_NNJeDZVAW8wLrAH26duy_S8wlPX1/w746-h493/Entertainment-law-Perdomo-Law-Firm-NYC.jpg" width="746" /></a></div><br />The entertainment industry produces 6.9 percent of the GDP of the United States each year. Approximately two million people work within the industry. Entertainment law protects the intellectual property of everyone involved in producing the works within this field. Creative works have copyrights and trademarks because of the vulnerability of the products. <p></p><p>Every creator must defend their property to protect their livelihood. Corporations within the industry invest millions in projects that hackers, black market dealers, and competing organizations may attempt to use without approval. Media piracy laws protect intellectual property owners, and entertainment law firms work to enforce the protection.<br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Entities Protected by Entertainment Law</b></h3><p>Pirated movies, songs downloaded without payment, plagiarized music or books are not all that entertainment law addresses. <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/entertainment-litigation-lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Entertainment lawsuits</a> may arise when someone contributing a snippet of music for a movie, commercial, or corporate film does not receive credit and payment for their effort. </p><p>Advertising slogans, video game productions, and theater performances may also have issues. Anyone who contributes to the creative process of a media product may need protection from the legal system for their part in any endeavor. The entities may include an individual, a duo, a group, or a corporation. Agreements may also take place between two or more corporate entities.<br /><br />Artists, like musicians, actors, or singers, may need a lawyer to protect their image and work. A lawyer can ensure the individual receives payment for their scheduled appearances and the use of their name or image in advertisements. An entertainment law firm can also work with an entertainer to stop others from using their image without permission.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Protections Offered by Entertainment Attorneys</b> </h3><p><a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Entertainment-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Entertainment lawyers</a> work with many clients before projects begin. They engage in contract negotiations, prepare contracts, and assist their clients in understanding their rights. Clients invested in large productions also meet with attorneys beforehand. They may need advice on child labor laws or international copyright laws to avoid mistakes that could cause delays or fines. The attorneys trained in this law understand the regulations for multiple media forms like music, movies, television, publishing, advertising, and digital media.</p><p>Law firms also help their clients when someone abuses creator rights. They help when someone steals intellectual property, fails to follow the guidelines of a contract, or uses protected material without permission or payment. The law firm can contact the offending party for correction or represent their client in court to obtain the compensation they deserve.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Types of Entertainment Law Representation</b></h3><p>Entertainment lawyers may work with clients on an as-needed basis, or they may remain on a retainer. Retainers enable clients to have instant representation as needed. In addition, many law firms offer different lawyers to their clients based on their legal needs. For example, an entertainment lawyer may study a specific type of media, like video production or music, and may focus on either transactional or litigation law in the entertainment industry.<br /><br />Everyone frequently working within the entertainment industry needs the guidance of a lawyer. Of course, not all clients will need a lawyer with experience in litigation and transactional categories. Still, all creators should understand what these lawyers can manage so they know who to contact if problems arise.<br /><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Transactional Law:</b> Many creators or corporations hire entertainment lawyers to help them prepare, understand, or negotiate contracts. Some may need a lawyer to ensure they have the correct licenses and rights to use intellectual property. Transactional or business lawyers perform these tasks. The lawyers involved with these matters can also work with clients to help them understand their rights and responsibilities as they advance through the industry. The attorneys engaged in transactional work meet with clients as they plan a new project or expand their business. The meetings give the client a better understanding of how to proceed with every project.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Litigation Law:</b> Litigators become necessary when the entities involved do not follow contracts or if someone uses intellectual property without permission. The attorneys that provide this protection can represent their clients in court or arrange settlements with the offenders. The litigation concerns can include incorrect or absent royalty payments, trademark and copyright infringements, a breach of contract, and much more. Litigation for these matters is not only about money. The United States copyright and trademark laws have severe consequences, including prison time for some offenders.</li></ul><p>Meeting with an entertainment law firm before beginning any negotiation or signing an agreement enables individuals to protect their rights. It also helps them avoid making the mistake of not following entertainment laws as needed. The theft of intellectual property can bankrupt corporations and individuals. The film and television industry loses an estimated $29 billion annually from digital theft (uncompensated downloads). Anyone involved in the entertainment industry must do all they can to protect their rights.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="393" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rTmoR7zvEjI" width="566" youtube-src-id="rTmoR7zvEjI"></iframe></div><p></p><p>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukosky of Perdomo Law is a Manhattan-based entertainment law firm. Learn more by visiting her website at <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PerdomoLaw</a>.com.<br /></p>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-88796997897300397462022-04-05T14:22:00.000-04:002022-04-05T14:22:03.679-04:00Types of Commercial Litigation<h1 style="text-align: left;">Types of Commercial Litigation Cases</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Commercial-Litigation-Lawyer-NYC" imageanchor="1" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Types of Commercial Litigation" border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KPEpS3aakiQMd9gZsAi1kFCy2SbVoa8STkVOW_cI4l-vhgQaHlfDuX0Oe0jAklLF-2T2cjk60CiYS0uOPMPQyZLiB4mCEX9XFsLuJl7RMYe3IRB8CVdWrMW6mMDu6eCfe-73YxhN7lrVL0HBBlDQK85Pu5inTFV9m4-fAItVjLSKiaIcA1wWMoXi/w711-h472/Types-of-Commercial-Litigation.jpg" title="Types of Commercial Litigation" width="711" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p>Commercial litigations differ from civil cases because they often involve more detailed regulations, frequently happen in federal court, and often include multiple parties. Businesses need the help of a <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Commercial-Litigation-Lawyer-NYC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">commercial litigation law firm</a> when problems arise because of the complexity of many of the cases. A lawyer with experience in commercial litigation will understand the laws surrounding business contracts, taxes, and much more. Many types of lawsuits meet the standard of commercial litigation.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Bad faith litigation</b>: Commercial lawsuits that involve these allegations occur because the plaintiff believes someone entered a contract with no intention of fulfilling their obligations.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Breach of contract</b>: A failure to fulfill an obligation also applies to a breach of contract. The difference in a bad-faith lawsuit is that the unfulfilled contractual obligations were not pre-planned.</li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Breach of fiduciary duty</b>: Like a breach of contract or bad faith litigation, a breach of fiduciary duty is when someone does not perform their duties. A breach of fiduciary duty is when a business fails to meet the client's needs as stated in the contract.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Copyright and patent litigation</b>: U.S. copyright laws protect the intellectual property of creators. The property rights can belong to an individual, multiple people, or an organization. Patent laws differ in what they cover but protect processes rather than intellectual works. The use of copyrighted or patented property without permission can result in a lawsuit.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Employment and labor litigation</b>: A commercial litigation lawyer can represent an employee or a company in this type of legal disagreement. Many issues can arise. Wage disputes, whistleblower protection, and injury lawsuits are small examples of the matters involved in these cases.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>E-commerce litigation</b>: Cases that involve e-commerce issues can become complex because of the confusion about the jurisdiction. Many e-commerce companies work with clients and businesses in other states and countries. A commercial litigation law firm can clarify the legal process for their client and ensure the cases take place in the appropriate forum.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/entertainment-litigation-lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Entertainment litigation</a></b>: Entertainment cases can involve copyright violations, but they also cover many other aspects of the entertainment industry. Distribution, credits, royalties, and many other conflicts fall under entertainment litigation.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Fraud and misrepresentation litigation</b>: A lawsuit in this category occurs when someone feels they entered a contract due to misinformation from the other party. Fraud is when someone knowingly lies to mislead someone else. Misrepresentation is when someone unwittingly shares a lie to coax someone into an agreement. Misrepresentation can happen innocently or through a failure to research the subject adequately.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Trade secrets and unfair competition</b>: Legal issues involved in this litigation can include corporate theft of protected property given to a competitor. Unfair competition can mean any questionable actions committed by a competitor to cause financial damage to the complainant. A company may, for example, spread false rumors about a competitor that results in lost sales or a damaged reputation.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Debtor/creditor litigation</b>: Debtor and creditor litigation often involves an attempt by a creditor to collect on an unpaid debt. Intercreditor disputes can occur when two or more creditors fund an organization or project. Disputes arise if one party feels the others involved are not contributing as expected or during a debtor's bankruptcy regarding the division of assets between the creditors.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Privacy, cybersecurity, and data breach</b>: Few things matter more to businesses than the safety of their financial, employee, and client data. Cybersecurity failings can devastate any company. Litigation in these matters can include lawsuits against those who committed the violations or against cybersecurity companies that failed to protect the company adequately.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Restrictive covenant</b>: Restricted covenants are agreements that begin when an employee leaves the company. The contract can include different provisions. Some prevent the employee from competing against a former employer. Some stop people from taking clients or other employees as their own. Many prohibit a former employee from sharing confidential information learned during employment. Litigation can come from employees who feel the agreements are too restrictive or unenforceable. Employers may file a lawsuit if a former employee fails to follow the restrictions.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Securities Litigation</b>: Investment losses can result in security litigation cases. A breach of fiduciary duty is an example of this litigation type, but others exist. Lawsuits over a failure to diversify, a conflict of interest, or malpractice can also occur. Shareholder disputes also fall under this category.</li></ul><p></p><p>Commercial litigation lawyers represent companies with industry-specific lawsuits, tax-related matters, class action lawsuits, and common contract disputes. Also managed by the same law firms are employee-related issues, liability claims, and partnership or LLC-related concerns. </p><p>At <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perdomo Law</a>, our team can provide the guidance you need for any business-related litigation matter. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="329" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MXLHKbQqLKw" width="409" youtube-src-id="MXLHKbQqLKw"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-84051071262050273372022-02-11T14:57:00.001-05:002022-02-11T14:57:24.037-05:00What is Trademark Fraud?<h1 style="text-align: left;"> <b>What is Trademark Fraud?</b></h1><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhloj8oTzaDIMr0m2-0M_uBU8eu2-x9W75B_zBQS0Jt5bwUB-Oxw2tRfyA2JwiDQEZ9qxZxI3ZtAPe8nalIpd2cUKS1e0VFXrEosOz2w7DMG1V-S8XQ9abDYM5-M52dUjJ-hwljLUEmaoz3SN4fZ9ZE5whYrvl1cUidLlmtRGId1YboYCoayfG0ApfC=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhloj8oTzaDIMr0m2-0M_uBU8eu2-x9W75B_zBQS0Jt5bwUB-Oxw2tRfyA2JwiDQEZ9qxZxI3ZtAPe8nalIpd2cUKS1e0VFXrEosOz2w7DMG1V-S8XQ9abDYM5-M52dUjJ-hwljLUEmaoz3SN4fZ9ZE5whYrvl1cUidLlmtRGId1YboYCoayfG0ApfC=w735-h368" width="735" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Registering a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is serious. Dishonest responses on the application form can cause the USPTO to refuse the application, cancel a trademark if discovered after registering, and possibly file fraud charges against the applicant. Anyone who has proof of a fraudulent registration of a trademark can notify the USPTO of the situation. Filing a claim to cancel the trademark is also possible if the violation monetarily affects them.<p></p><p>Trademark fraud occurs when someone lies about their use of a trademark to register it with the USPTO. For example, registering a trademark that copies another is fraudulent activity, as is using a trademark without permission to market counterfeit goods. A <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/trademark-fraud-lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Trademark Fraud Lawyer</a> can assist those who believe someone has committed fraud with their trademarks and those accused unfairly of fraud.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>What Constitutes Fraud With the USPTO?</b></h2><p><a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Trademark-Application-Lawyer-NYC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Applications to the USPTO</a> for registering a trademark can happen only when the applicant uses the design for their goods or services. Applicants can also apply before starting their business if they plan to market, manufacture, or distribute their products.</p><p>Fraudulent applications are when someone applies to register a trademark with no plan to use it. A common reason for this is to make the design unavailable to a competitor or someone else. Applicants cannot register trademarks to hold until they can sell them to the highest bidder. It is also fraud to knowingly register a trademark that looks like one used by a competitor and would cause confusion among consumers.</p><p>Trademark registration is only for commerce. People that make items for personal use without any intention to sell the goods cannot register a mark for these items. The USPTO also does not allow trademarks to apply to an idea or process. It must be a marketable good or service of its own.</p><p>The <a href="https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=login&p_lang=english&p_d=trmk" target="_blank">USPTO has a database</a> available for applicants to search before they apply. The database allows applicants to double-check their artwork and ensure they have an original idea. It is also available for owners of a registered trademark who want to see if anyone else has borrowed their designs for their branding.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>How do You Know if Your Trademark Meets the Guidelines?</b></h3><p>A consideration for applicants when determining if a trademark legally meets the standards of the USPTO is how they will use it. Typically, trademarks are stamped into the product or its container and included on the paperwork shipped with the goods. People that offer a service rather than a tangible product should have the trademarks on signs, business cards, and in all advertisements related to the business. An application rejection or cancellation of registration could occur if none of these items include the mark.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>W</b><b>ho Can File a Complaint About USPTO Fraud?</b></h3><p>Only someone financially affected by a fraudulent trademark can file a complaint with the USPTO. However, a business owner who feels someone has registered a design to knowingly produce counterfeit versions of their goods with the misleading trademark should file a complaint. Trademark infringement is illegal, and a business damaged by someone else's fraudulent use of a trademark can file a lawsuit to recover losses. A USPTO Fraud Law Firm can advise their clients on the appropriate steps to manage this legal concern.</p><p>Trademark owners who discover counterfeit or pirated goods marketed under their design should contact the FBI or U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) can also investigate if piracy and counterfeit goods continue to be a problem.</p><p><b>When Happens if Someone Claims Fraud on Your Trademark?</b></p><p>Trademark owners could find themselves in a dispute with another registered owner even if they follow all the rules. Contact a USPTO Fraud Attorney to help with the case. Similar trademarks can receive approval around the same time. The research will first prove who used and registered their marks to determine who has ownership.</p><p>Sometimes matching trademarks are used by multiple companies without a problem. Experts refer to the issue as trademark coexistence. It typically happens when the businesses are in different industries and operate in regions away from the other. Companies that suddenly begin sharing sales territories or offering the same products can struggle to coexist peacefully. In these instances, the USPTO may believe a registered owner committed fraud if their product line changed dramatically after the registration approval.</p><p>Contacting a law firm that handles trademark fraud cases can help any business owner preserve their trademark rights. They can respond to the initial claim and represent the business in any court hearings. Law firms also protect their clients by researching the registration and the use of the trademarks registered to the entity that filed a complaint.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>About the Author</b></h4><p>Fran Perdomo of Perdomo Law has experience with trademark regulations regarding registrations and use. The law firm reviews the information during a free consultation to determine if fraud charges are needed. They can also review any fraud complaint against their client. The attorney will then recommend how to proceed with the case. <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Contact-Fran-Perdomo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Contact the Perdomo Law Firm</a> for more information about trademark fraud.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="436" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZFXRfrL5vTA" width="525" youtube-src-id="ZFXRfrL5vTA"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0Manhattan, New York, NY, USA40.7830603 -73.971248812.472826463821157 -109.1274988 69.093294136178855 -38.8149988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-55841872700252532262022-01-25T10:50:00.001-05:002022-01-25T10:50:54.650-05:00USPTO Implements the Trademark Modernization Act<h2 style="text-align: left;">The USPTO Implements the Trademark Modernization Act: Considerations for Applicants, Brand Owners, and Practitioners</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Trademark-Lawyer-NYC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ2dQD7VOvoH_X8OQZGe4kDiv1HqANoMuR6LkPmrKbtdphZslsOZNEA2Cwsci55i3uFsoBCC-pCJzVPSAGYS3aKafJLXplH10IU4Uuuwg_1InpRfRgcMgNxEwjVaTMKX5Px0SgMvZec3Swn4c7EA2IBZo87YYxWa33ke6ecdgX8aRryk4MqMmZbJ5u=w741-h371" width="741" /></a></div><br /><p>Regulations recently went into effect that will make it easier to challenge existing trademark registrations, in order to cancel registrations that were obtained fraudulently or that are no longer in use. In recent years, the trademark Principal Register has been cluttered with fraudulent trademark registrations. Fraudulent applications that successfully register deplete the availability of marks for legitimate business owners. The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (“TMA”) was enacted to clean up the Register in a fast and cost-effective manner. The regulations implementing the TMA went into effect as of December 27, 2021. </p><p>The TMA amends the Lanham Act by enabling businesses, individuals and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to initiate ex-parte proceedings related to the validity of trademarks, restoring the rebuttable presumption of irreparable harm for owners seeking injunctions and modifying the procedural rules for letters of protest. The ex-parte proceedings will prove to be important tools during pre-registration clearance evaluations as well during trademark prosecution. </p><p>While the TMA provides useful tools to remove defective registrations from the federal trademark register, owners should carefully re-evaluate their portfolios. The new mechanisms, although useful to attack fraudulent applications, could present challenges to legitimate registrations. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>What is “Use In Commerce”?</b></h3><p>When a <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Trademark-Application-Lawyer-NYC" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">trademark application</a> is filed, the applicant must attest that the mark is being used in commerce or that the applicant has a good faith intent to use the trademark in commerce. The definition of “use in commerce” means the use of mark in the ordinary course of trade and not merely to reserve a right in mark. </p><p>Any “use” application must be filed along with a sworn declaration detailing that the mark is in use and the date of first use of the mark anywhere, and the date of first use of the mark in commerce. Submitting proof to the USPTO showing that the mark is in use varies depending on whether the mark protects goods or services. If the mark protects goods, it must be displayed on the goods directly. For example, the Nike™ word or logo embedded on the sneakers or on the box used for packaging the sneakers. However, when a mark protects services an adequate statement of use will feature the mark while advertising services in commerce – websites, and social media sites offering services and engaging with customers or clients are common examples. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>The Ex-Parte Proceedings</b></h3><p>The TMA creates two new ex parte proceedings, expungement and reexamination. These new proceedings allow any party to request the cancellation, in whole or in part, of a registered trademark that was not actually used in commerce when the statement of use was filed or that has never been used in commerce. These new proceedings are intended to provide a faster, more efficient, and less expensive alternative to a contested inter parties cancellation proceeding before the <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/trademark-trial-and-appeal-board-lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Trademark Trial and Appeal Board</a>. The office action response periods are 90 days with an optional 90-day extension of time.</p><p>The highly anticipated regulations implementing the TMA went into effect on December 27, 2021. Petitions requesting institution of proceedings for reexamination or expungement are now being accepted through the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) portal. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) “individuals, businesses, and the USPTO will now have new tools to clear away unused registered trademarks from the federal trademark register, and the USPTO will have the ability to move applications through the registration process more efficiently.” See. <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/laws/2020-modernization-act" target="_blank">https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/laws/2020-modernization-act</a>.</p><p>Following is a more detailed description of the new proceedings:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The expungement proceeding allows for cancellation of registrations for marks that have never been used in commerce. Expungement is available against registrations that are over three years old if filed on or before December 27, 2023. After this date, expungement is limited to registrations that are 3 to 10 years old. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The re-examination proceeding allows for cancellation of registrations for marks that were never used in commerce as of the application date or deadline to file the statement of use. If the trademark application was filed on an intent to use basis, the petition must provide evidence that the trademark was not used in commerce on the date that petitioner filed the allegation of use or the date the deadline to file a statement of use expired, whichever is later. </li></ul><p></p><p>The petitioner must conduct a reasonable investigation into the use of the mark. Thereafter, the petitioner can choose to request cancellation of some, or all of the goods and services listed in a registration. The registrant will have the opportunity to present evidence of use, and the USPTO will render its final decision regarding cancellation. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Letters of Protest</b></h3><p>Letters of Protest (LOP) are often used in practice to challenge the registrability of a pending trademark application. The procedure is valuable to the trademark application examination process without causing undue delay. The USPTO will consider letters of protest that are based on grounds such as likelihood of confusion, that the applied for trademark is merely descriptive, generic for the identified goods or services, that the mark in the application suggests a false connection with the protestor’s mark or the application includes an inappropriate specimen of use. </p><p>The TMA updates the procedure and refines the requirements for acceptable letters of protests. First, it provides statutory authority for the existing procedure before the USPTO. Additionally, the TMA grants authority to the Director of the USPTO in deciding whether to include evidence submitted with the LOP in the record within two months after the date of submission. Any decision to include or exclude the evidence in the record will be final and non-reviewable. However, the decision will not preclude any party from relying on that same evidence in subsequent proceedings. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Presumption of Irreparable Harm</b></h3><p>The TMA amends the Lanham Act to reinstate this presumption for plaintiffs seeking injunctive relief. Plaintiffs will now be entitled to the presumption of irreparable harm upon a finding of likelihood of success on the merits for preliminary injunctions, or a finding of infringement in a motion for a permanent injunction. Consequently, the TMA makes it easier for trademark owners to obtain injunctive relief, particularly when monetary damages are not an adequate remedy. </p><p><b>Conclusion</b></p><p>The new TMA provisions are valuable tools in a practitioner’s arsenal to protect their clients’ portfolios, fight cease and desist letters and prosecute new applications. </p><p>During clearance searches, these proceedings open new possibilities in potential trademark availability. When submitting new applications and filings statements of use, applicants should consider submitting specimens of use for multiple items within each class of goods and services. Brand owners are encouraged to review their portfolios with counsel and ensure their marks are not at risk of cancellation. In some instances, the only option to cure any deficiency is by filing a new application.</p><div><br /></div>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-77663541916728682982021-05-15T12:58:00.001-04:002021-05-15T12:58:08.618-04:00License Audio Rights <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBimRIUcyhvUfXZMfX-JqPVefcUmTxwJHcXLzMemOdjiKs6JkaUP5yTaEl0kzbRUfe9OLUOIKrrb-pivTW6f90l7nUyY07Aud3adJnB4-ijgBnxLHhaguemql3WBivSHNfwq1AWQEd_EM/s1600/License-Audio-Rights-Perdomo-Law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBimRIUcyhvUfXZMfX-JqPVefcUmTxwJHcXLzMemOdjiKs6JkaUP5yTaEl0kzbRUfe9OLUOIKrrb-pivTW6f90l7nUyY07Aud3adJnB4-ijgBnxLHhaguemql3WBivSHNfwq1AWQEd_EM/s16000/License-Audio-Rights-Perdomo-Law.jpg" /></a></div><br />The makers of any audio meant for commercial use need legal protection. The work can include short audio clips, voiceovers, audiobooks, and many other forms of recordings. Every original audio recording is a form of intellectual property. The decision of users of the property and who can earn money from its use will depend on the contracts and the terms those documents provide. A <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/license-audio-rights-lawyer-nyc" target="_blank">licensed audio rights law firm</a> is an advocate for every artist they represent.<br /><br /><b>What Are Audio Rights?</b><br /><br />Audio rights are permissions given by the owner of a recording for various uses. The licensee may gain the right to use the audio in any manner desired, or the contract may detail specific circumstances. The artist can allow someone to use the audio as often as they would like for one fee or require royalty payments for every use.<br /><br />Audio licensing also allows the creator to keep the ownership for their purposes and prevent others from using it. Business owners that produce audio for their branding, for example, may want consumers to think only of them when they hear a specific piece of music or another audio recording.<br /><br />The help of a license audio rights lawyer can also protect those that wish to allow others to use only a portion of their work. Contracts can give rights to a sample while the artist maintains all rights to the complete product.<br /><br />Various contracts exist for the types of audio the artist wants to protect. The details of each agreement can vary according to the desires of the artist or the licensee. It always benefits the artist to use the services of a License Audio Rights Attorney during negotiations.<br /><br /><b>Licenses Used for Audio Content</b><br /><br /><b>Synchronization Licenses: </b>Owners of musical compositions use these licenses to allow others to use their audio. Someone may want to use the song as background music on a YouTube video or include it in a movie or TV production. Some may use the work in a commercial, video game, or video production.<br /><br />Contracts like these may allow licensees to use complete songs or only allow a snippet of the original work. The License Audio Rights Lawyer will include in the document the specific allowable methods of use, who will hold the rights for this use, and the payment required.<br /><br /><b>Blanket Music Licenses:</b> The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and other similar organizations that protect artists' rights offer these licenses. Companies that want the music can apply to the organization for licensing. An example of a business that uses these agreements is a radio station. A station may play 500 songs a day and would never have the time to arrange a contractual agreement with every recording artist. Instead, they complete a blanket license that allows them, for a fee, to use the music included under the contract.<br /><br />The organization, like ASCAP, pays a percentage of the amount they earn from the agreements to each artist covered under the blanket license. The organization typically pays according to the amount of play each artist received.<br /><br />Audio artists will want to work with several organizations like ASCAP to ensure their work gets maximum exposure. Most radio stations, concert halls, and others that use blanket licenses will work with more than one organization, but not necessarily all. Artists have the best chance for maximum exposure across the country and beyond when they work with many organizations. A License Audio Rights Law Firm will enable the artist to gain the most favorable deal with each contract for the highest possible per-play fee.<br /><br /><b>Master Use Licenses:</b> The need for a master use license arises when someone wants to use all or part of a recording in another form. The licensee may need it for a video game or to include samples of the audio in another song. The permission applies only to the sound recording named in the contract, so it often means the licensee must apply for multiple licenses when they wish to include an entire composition.<br /><br />In the music industry, the publisher of the music often has control over audio rights. Independent artists, however, usually retain their full rights. A License Audio Rights Attorney protects the interests of all artists during record company negotiations. Their guidance can help people decide who will hold the right to assign a master use license and prepare the license contracts when needed.<br /><br /><b>Mass Reproduction Licenses:</b> The Internet has made mass reproduction licenses more common than ever before. These contracts apply to downloading music or audio-books, downloading podcasts, and much more. Artists can sell directly to consumers with these licenses or use them to work with a distributor. Distributors collect payments from the consumer and pay the artist according to the contract.<br /><br /><b>Who Maintains Audio Rights?</b><br /><br />Artists do not always retain their audio rights. Many publishers gain the rights to the work when they sign a contract with the artist. Publishers often allow the artist to have more visibility to consumers than they could receive on their own. Giving up the rights can also free the artist from marketing efforts and legal issues that could take away from their creative time. Working with a License Audio Rights Attorney enables the artist to make the best decision for their needs.<br /><br />Authors that wish to produce audio-books will need to discuss their options with a License Audio Rights Lawyer. The decision to create an audio version of a written work is not always something the original publisher considers. The author will need to determine if the contract they have with a publishing house allows this endeavor. It is also necessary to consider the best licensing format for the new work.<br /><br /><b>How Can Artists Regain Their Rights?</b><br /><br />Audio artists should contact a License Audio Rights Law Firm whenever they feel someone used their work illegally or the payment was incorrect. An experienced lawyer can review existing contracts and licenses and recommend any changes to protect the artist.<br /><br />The easy access most people have to advanced technology makes it imperative for creators to take every step available to protect intellectual property. Unlicensed reproductions of audio recordings can spread around the world almost instantly. Licensing will not stop all pirated work, but it makes it easier for the artist to prevent others from profiting illegally from these acts.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="455" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rTmoR7zvEjI" width="547" youtube-src-id="rTmoR7zvEjI"></iframe></div><p>About the Author</p><p></p><p>Fran Perdomo is an Entertainment Lawyer representing clients in all areas entertainment law, including litigation. Learn more bu visiting her website at <a href="https://PerdomoLaw.com">PerdomoLaw.com</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /><br /></p>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-2342573278107954962019-08-23T12:15:00.000-04:002019-08-23T12:15:18.150-04:00What is Technology Law<h2>
What is Technology Law?</h2>
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Protecting businesses in today's age mean using technology and thorough research. Drawings, videos, patents, software, and many other items are creations companies must keep safe to prevent copying, theft, and a loss of income.<br />
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IP licensing, distribution of software, the creation of intellectual property, and anything concerning the Internet or cloud requiring special protection is coverable under technology law.<br />
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<b>What is a Content Technology License?</b></h3>
This license allows a person who develops a technological product or service like software programs, digital art, and intangible items to enable others to purchase them for use. The license lets the purchaser transform, resell, or use the technology for a particular period. There are many circumstances that the parties must agree on and layout in clear terms.<br />
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Things like where the license is valid, how much the royalty payments will be, whether the developer has specific controls over advertising or franchise use of the content, and much more go into these documents. Each party should have a legal representative to help them understand the duties and privileges of technology licenses.<br />
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<b>Virtual and Social Media Network Definition</b></h3>
Virtual or social networks connect people with other people, products, and things that may benefit them. Social media networking sites feature groups of individuals who share particular interests. These groups talk regularly and publish information like sales, events, or press releases about new technologies.<br />
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People may communicate through traditional methods like emailing or comment publicly on a particular website. Often, the more interest a post or comment gets, the more likely it is others will share the information. It is through these channels that businesses can use technology licenses to sell services and goods. Content licenses protect the parties who use these networks to connect with people who want to partner together to form a business partnership. They also lay out the terms for site use.<br />
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<b>The Importance of Establishing Online Privacy Policies and Terms of Use</b></h3>
Anyone who does business on the Internet needs a website. To form these pages, it is crucial that a company creates a “Terms of Use” statement letting people know the expectations of those using the site and what your role is as a site owner. Additionally, privacy declarations tell your users which information the website will collect, how you plan to store it, how long it will be on file, and whether you will share this information and with whom.<br />
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Both of these statements should go in place on the website before launch or immediately after that to provide full protection for the website owner and users. One of the most important reasons to have a privacy policy is to prevent lawsuits concerning breach of privacy matters. You can ban people from using your website with a “Terms of Use” statement. People who violate your terms are subject to the consequences you list on the site.<br />
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Both items should be in plain view using clear speech. The terms of use statement should include things like what happens when a person makes an account when you will restrict a person's site use, what you define as acceptable usage, and copyright and trademark information.<br />
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<b>Why Negotiation is Critical and Advice on Strategic Alliances</b></h3>
When a technology user creates a website and begins publishing information like the opportunity to purchase intellectual products, it is always good advice to have a reliable team backing the brand. Many companies form strategic alliances with direct competitors. Why is that a good idea? Because good negotiation and a mutual coalition can benefit both sides.<br />
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Creating a partnership with the enemy means keeping tabs on what they are working on and getting information about future publications. Forbes says to be successful; partners should limit the information they share. Medical firms can work together to develop better products by sharing research so that each company does not have to pay for individual lab tests and pay worker's time twice. Each business may get the same lab reports, but they can use the information in any manner. A <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/technology-lawyer-nyc" target="_blank"><b><i>technology law firm</i></b></a> can direct businesses in these matters helping them to decide which information to share and what is legally safe to protect through privacy.<br />
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<b>Media and Software Licensing</b></h3>
People wishing to use a particular program must apply for a software license from the owner. This contract designates whether the purchaser can change the programs, where the technology can be put in place, and how many people can use it.<br />
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<li><b>Free licensing</b> - Refers to the freedom of articulating opinions, this phrase has nothing to do with the price of the software</li>
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<li><b>Closed source</b> - This term means the technology has strict guidelines the user must follow to avoid a breach of contract. Another name for this type of software is proprietary</li>
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<li><b>Perpetual license</b> - This contract lets the user have lifetime rights to the software</li>
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<li><b>Term license</b> - This licensing agreement is often good for one year. Users must pay a regular renewal fee to use the program for extended periods</li>
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<li><b>Volume and site licenses</b> - This coverage is useful for businesses with several users who will need to access the software. It is often cheaper for companies to purchase these agreements</li>
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<li><b>Personal or secondary rights</b> - Some licenses will give the owner further use of the product by allowing them to put it on a home computer. This coverage makes it easier for people who work from a personal residence part of the time</li>
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<li><b>End-user licensing</b> - This statement protects the seller by listing what the buyer can and cannot do with the program like how many times someone can download it. It also dictates what the software holder can collect in terms of private information and site data</li>
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<li><b>Open source</b> - This agreement gives the user the most rights. A person can use the program as long as they like. Plus, downloading the information is limitless</li>
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Before you publish a company site or purchase technology licensing from another party, it is in your best interest to protect your brand. Knowing exactly what the fine print says can save a company money, time, and frustration.<br />
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<b>About the Author</b><br />
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Fran Perdomo of <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perdomo Law</a> has a vast understanding of intellectual property rights, content licensing, negotiation, media protections, and much more. Learn more by visiting her website.<br />
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Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0Manhattan, New York, NY, USA40.7830603 -73.97124880000001240.590684800000005 -74.293972300000007 40.9754358 -73.648525300000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-72647756492677100672019-02-23T08:46:00.001-05:002019-02-23T08:46:18.095-05:00Copyright Protection for Websites and Domains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you own a website, it is considered intellectual property, which means it can be protected with a copyright. Therefore, you may consider taking the proper steps to protect it, including your company's logo, the domain, and all images, including the graphics, for added security.<br />
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<b>How Website and Domain Copyrights Work</b><br />
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Provided the content on your website is original, and as the applicant, you are also the owner of the site, then you may register your website for copyright protection.<br />
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According to the U.S Copyright Office, the content that qualifies for copyright protection includes but is not limited to music, screen displays, videos, blogs, articles, and literature. However, the U.S. Copyright Office states that you can only copyright the content that is on your site at the time of the registration, meaning any enhancements made to the website or any works that are created and then included on your site later will require you to register them as well.<br />
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Furthermore, you cannot copyright your website's format, the layout, or the functional design features of the site. You also cannot copyright ideas for your website.<br />
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According to the U.S. Copyright Office, you also cannot copyright content that is included on your site by users, such as customer reviews or user comments, because they belong to the user, which means they are already copyrighted. Any creative works that are available to the public as a whole are also not subject to copyright because no one exclusively owns them.<br />
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Lastly, familiar works, such as common names, icons, or symbols as well as hypertext links or links to outside sites, are also not subject to copyright. However, if you incorporate internal links that connect to other pages on your site, they are subject to copyright.<br />
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Unfortunately, there is no copyright protection for domains; however, you can register your domain name through a domain name registrar to ensure it is protected.<br />
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<b>How to Copyright Your Website</b><br />
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To copyright your website, you must, first, determine who owns the works on your website. For instance, if an employee of your company creates content for your company website, then your company automatically owns the copyright to the material.<br />
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However, if your company hires an independent contractor to create the works for your company website, then the independent contractor owns the work because they are not an employee of the company; therefore, it is considered work made for hire. Consequently, you'll need to establish an agreement with the contractor that gives your company exclusive rights to the content.<br />
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Next, you'll need to place a copyright notice, such as the copyright symbol, or use the word copyright, along with the date of the copyright and your company's name on each page of your website. Though you automatically have copyright protection the instant you create the website content and then put it up for the public, it is still a good idea to take added steps to safeguard your content. Once you add the copyright notice to your pages, be sure to update the year as needed, so that it remains active.<br />
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You will also need to register your content with the U.S. Copyright Office, which can be done just by visiting their website and then registering under the Other Digital Content section. By copyrighting your works with the U.S. Copyright Office, it helps ensure you can get protection from the court of law in the event there is an infringement.<br />
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<b>Who May Need to see a Copyright Lawyer to Protect Their Intellectual Property </b><br />
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Since copyrights for your website can be a bit trying to understand on your own, it is always a good idea to seek the guidance and advice of a qualified <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Copyright-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">copyright lawyer</a> who is highly knowledgeable and experienced in copyright protection for websites that can assist you with everything you need to know to secure a copyright. The lawyer can also ensure that your content qualifies for copyright protection and doesn't fall under another category of intellectual protection, such as a trademark or a patent.<br />
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There are also certain instances when you should contact a copyright lawyer, such as if you intend to use someone else's work that owns the copyright. Hiring a lawyer before using the material can help ensure you don't violate the copyright owner's rights, also known as infringement, which is punishable by law. In the event, you have already infringed upon an owner's copyrights; a good lawyer can help you understand your rights under the law, as well as help protect your interests.<br />
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You may also need a lawyer if you discover that your copyrights have been violated. If there has been an infringement of your works, a good lawyer can help protect your rights as well as get you the compensation you deserve.<br />
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If you are an artist, author, or another producer of creative works, and someone else has an interest in using your content, you may also consider contacting a lawyer who can thoroughly assess the offer and explain your options.<br />
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The lawyer can also draw up any necessary agreements, negotiate on your behalf, as well as handle various other issues regarding the licensing and transferring of your copyright to help ensure your legal rights and interests are protected.<br />
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Ultimately, your company website is a valuable asset for generating business; therefore, you should protect it just like you would any other business asset. Failure to do so could result in someone duplicating your material, which can decrease its effectiveness and ultimately cut into your bottom line. For more information concerning copyrighting your creative works and other intellectual property, including your website, consult with a copyright lawyer.<br />
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<b>About the Author</b><br />
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Fran Perdomo is an NYC Copyright Lawyer practicing in all areas of <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Intellectual-Property-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Intellectual Property</a>. Learn more by visiting her website at PerdomoLaw.com<br />
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<b>Additional References</b><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://perdomolaw.blogspot.com/2018/04/commercially-licensed-business-art.html" target="_blank">The Risk of Not Using Commercially Licensed Images for Your Business</a></li>
</ul>
Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0Manhattan, New York, NY, USA40.7830603 -73.97124880000001240.590684800000005 -74.293972300000007 40.9754358 -73.648525300000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-55321607125588653842018-10-04T08:32:00.001-04:002018-10-04T08:32:10.954-04:00Filing Provisional Patent Applications for Fun and Profit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI7rrOliyGNZVgJSZSkht5VaSLgvKqts9kILujIuwLDPxWTfsyRm8WQVT8HYOQER4c7iX0VWKgwLCl8PTyxyLymKtK14kOJ4wUAV-I1j_GsGVko6bNtfIOya2gOmSA6l11NDXupuEa9E/s1600/Provisional-Patent-Application.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Filing Provisional Patent Applications for Fun and Profit" border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="800" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI7rrOliyGNZVgJSZSkht5VaSLgvKqts9kILujIuwLDPxWTfsyRm8WQVT8HYOQER4c7iX0VWKgwLCl8PTyxyLymKtK14kOJ4wUAV-I1j_GsGVko6bNtfIOya2gOmSA6l11NDXupuEa9E/s640/Provisional-Patent-Application.jpg" title="Filing Provisional Patent Applications for Fun and Profit" width="640" /></a></div>
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Patents are an essential leg in the business plan for people and companies developing new ideas and technology. An issued patent confers significant legal rights on its owner and is typically an essential asset, that can be the basis of financing and an expectation of a stream of revenue.<br />
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In many cases, an early step in the patenting process is filing a provisional patent application. This discussion will address the issues and benefits of filing provisional patent applications.<br />
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<b>What is a Provisional Patent Application?</b><br />
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First, let’s digress for a minute and talk about regular, <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/non-provisional-patent-applications-nyc" target="_blank">non-provisional patent applications</a>. A non-provisional patent application has substantial formal requirements. It has to be formatted in certain ways, the specification should have certain parts, it has to have claims, it has to have an inventor’s declaration, and it requires fees for search and examination. A non-provisional patent application also triggers the patent expiration clock - patents normally expire in all major countries twenty years from the non-provisional filing date.<br />
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A provisional patent application does not require many of these features. The most important features of a provisional patent application are that there are no mandatory formatting requirements, the filing fees are much lower, and a provisional patent application does not start the twenty-year expiration clock.<br />
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Provisional patent applications are not examined, and never issue as a granted patent, so there is never a thing called a “Provisional Patent.” There are only “Provisional Patent Applications.”<br />
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<b>What Must a Provisional Patent Application Contain?</b><br />
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The essential contents of a <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/provisional-patent-application-lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">provisional patent application</a> are that it must disclose the invention. This can be a drawing on a napkin, a powerpoint presentation, a manuscript for a journal article, or another informal medium. A provisional patent application can also be formatted just like a regular patent application.<br />
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The point is that down the road, patent examiners, potential business partners, and potential litigants will look back to see what you have disclosed and when. This can be very important in preserving your rights and enforcing or defending your patent in the future.<br />
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The date of disclosure is essential because challengers will argue that your invention is obvious or anticipated in view of others working in the same or similar fields. However, a public disclosure by someone else related to your invention cannot be used against you in an obviousness or anticipation argument if it was published or disclosed after your filing date. So you want the earliest filing date possible in most cases.<br />
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<b>What Should I Do if I File an Informal Provisional Patent Application?</b><br />
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As discussed above, applicants can file an informal provisional patent application, for example, a scan of a dinner napkin with a drawing. However, you can also file an application that looks like a real patent application - meeting all of the formal requirements of a non-provisional patent application. There may be many good reasons to file an informal provisional patent application. But ultimately, potential partners and challenges to a patent may be looking critically at your invention, and they will want to see something that looks like a real patent application. So if you file an informal provisional, at the earliest opportunity, you should have a patent attorney draft a more formal version that will withstand scrutiny.<br />
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<b>Provisional Patent Applications Preserve Your Rights</b><br />
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An excellent reason to file a provisional patent application is to preserve your rights in a public presentation. If you plan to present your idea in a public forum, for example to investors, or in a scientific meeting, you will not be able to get non-disclosure agreements from the audience. Investors, in particular, will never sign a non-disclosure agreement unless they are very interested in a particular project, after an initial non-confidential introduction.<br />
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Filing a provisional patent application solves this problem. By filing a provisional patent application, you preserve your rights as far as disclosure. You will minimize your risk of an invention being misappropriated if you have a patent application on file prior to making a public presentation. So, if you plan to make a public presentation of new subject matter, it can be a good idea to have a patent application on file prior to the date of the presentation.<br />
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<b>Warning About Provisional Patent Applications: They Expire After One Year</b><br />
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A very important feature of a provisional patent application is that they expire after one year. So if you file a provisional patent application on say, September 1, 2018, you must file a non-provisional application (national or international) claiming priority to your provisional on or before September 1, 2019 (but if that date falls on a holiday or weekend, you can file the next business day). This is a very harsh rule. If you blow through the anniversary date, you basically have no recourse and you will lose the original filing date.<br />
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<b>Can I File More than One Provisional Patent Application?</b><br />
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Yes! provisional patent applications are not allowed to contain a priority reference, and there is nothing to stop you from filing additional provisional patent applications as a project develops and new data and new ideas are developed. In fact, you may make a strategic decision to abandon a particular provisional patent application, for example, if a project shifts and the disclosure isn’t helpful. All provisionals filed during the course of a year can be used in the priority claim of a non-provisional patent application.<br />
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<b>What Do I Need To Do After Filing A Provisional Patent Application?</b><br />
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After a provisional patent application is filed, a non-provisional patent application must be filed claiming priority to the provisional patent application. This must be done on or before the first anniversary of the provisional filing date. There is a box in the forms when filing a non-provisional patent application for inserting the provisional filing data. In addition, the first paragraph of a non-provisional may contain a reference to a provisional patent application. This is called a priority claim.<br />
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A non-provisional patent application can be a national patent application or an international patent application, filed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).<br />
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<b>Tying This Altogether</b><br />
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To summarize, provisional patent applications are less expensive to file than non-provisional applications, they have no formal requirements (but must disclose the invention), and they are not examined. Provisional patent applications give the inventors a patent filing date, which is very important for preserving rights during patent prosecution and in the event the patent is challenged in the future.<br />
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The strategic issues around provisionals can depend on financing and the nature of the invention. If money is tight for a project, a provisional can get your foot in the door at minimal cost.<br />
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Another reason to file a provisional patent application is because a provisional in effect confers an extra year of patent life. As noted above, the filing of a non-provisional patent application triggers a twenty-year clock, at which time a patent expires. Since provisionals don’t trigger this clock, filing a provisional and waiting the full year to file a non-provisional in effect gives you a twenty-one-year patent expiry.<br />
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In subject areas where the product life cycle is likely to be long, the extra year of patent life may be of great value. A classic case is pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals almost always have long approval cycles, but in many cases, drugs can be valuable indefinitely, so the product life cycle is very long. Because of market forces, the final year of patent life for a drug can be extremely valuable. So the extra year of patent life from a provisional filing can be very valuable for a drug product.<br />
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Contrast this to an invention that would be used in a smartphone. It is likely that almost nothing in a smartphone purchased today will be useful in phones designed five years from now. So the lifecycles in smartphones are very short. In these cases, a provisional patent application does not give you much.<br />
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<b>Should I Do This Myself?</b><br />
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Most things in the patent world are complex and full of rules and traps for inexperienced applicants. So the short answer is NO - don’t try this yourself. Always consult with an experienced patent attorney when doing anything related to patents. Even if you are trying to save money by maximizing your input into a patent application, an experienced patent attorney can help guide you to get a better outcome.<br />
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<b>About The Author</b><br />
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Andrew Berks is a NYC Patent Lawyer at <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perdomo Law</a> in Manhattan. Learn more about patent legal services by visiting their website.<br />
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Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-41506323418418685782018-08-08T17:17:00.000-04:002018-08-08T17:17:11.367-04:00Hashtags as Intellectual Property<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23G2gXIRpGWK_8qcN28iWxCQZn73qD2-TUWsMrtvcWkWNrQdciD7FYOyp0-Hnk9Ca7wosWuCmTqyVHfgXWaI-jINSoAa-yZkuW7GaoN1lE_jx1zXU-H7KrsI5dj_7Ysr1IpLAP_ZXpeQ/s1600/Should-Businesses-Protect-their-Hashtags-as-Intellectual-Property.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Should Businesses Protect Their Hashtags as Intellectual Property" border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="700" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23G2gXIRpGWK_8qcN28iWxCQZn73qD2-TUWsMrtvcWkWNrQdciD7FYOyp0-Hnk9Ca7wosWuCmTqyVHfgXWaI-jINSoAa-yZkuW7GaoN1lE_jx1zXU-H7KrsI5dj_7Ysr1IpLAP_ZXpeQ/s640/Should-Businesses-Protect-their-Hashtags-as-Intellectual-Property.jpg" title="Should Businesses Protect Their Hashtags as Intellectual Property" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you’ve spent any time on social media platforms, you’ve come across the term “hashtag” (referred to in keyboard signage as “#”). A hashtag is a phrase or word preceded by this “#” sign and is used to categorize accompanying text content. It’s staggering just how many people are using these so-called hashtags today – from TV news anchors to socialites like the Kardashians who boast millions of “followers” via their social media feeds; it seems today, a hashtag reference accompanies everyone's name.<br />
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This trend has carried over to the business sector, what with hashtags helping businesses to promote themselves and the products or services they offer, as well as representing a way to rapidly share news about these products or services, all the while interacting with their customers. There are two issues that almost always come to the forefront of conversations: Whether a business can or should “protect” its hashtags, and whether one’s use of another entity's trademark as a hashtag constitutes trademark infringement (or, conversely, whether a third-party is infringing upon a trademark when a hashtag is used containing another entity's mark).<br />
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<b>Can a Hashtag Qualify as Intellectual Property?</b><br />
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First, let’s get this out of the way: A trademark refers to any symbol, phrase, word, design or any combination of these utilized to establish the services or goods of one organization or person from those of another. That said, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) refers to a hashtag as “a form of metadata comprised of a word or phrase prefixed with the symbol ‘#’” (as we previously covered); often used on social media websites, these forms identify or facilitate a keyword or topic of interest search.<br />
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Since hashtags are not considered inventions or ideas subject to patent protection – and can't qualify for copyright protection because they're too short – your best avenue for securing rights to your hashtag creations is by contacting your <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Trademark-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">trademark lawyer</a> for protection.<br />
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<b>Should You Protect Your Hashtag?</b><br />
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Now we get into the meat and potatoes, so to speak, of this post topic: Whether a business should attempt to register, at a federal level, a particular hashtag to protect it as a trademark. Though we answered this query in the last sentence of the previous paragraph, we need to go into some more detail here.<br />
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It basically boils down to whether the "underlying mark" or hashtag can be registered and whether either of them is distinctive (inherently) in relation to the services or products it is being applied to; this is very much like the debate several years ago concerning the rush to register marks that ended in “.com.” The Patent and Trademark Office notes that incorporating the term "hashtag" or the “#” symbol doesn't inherently render any other term or a mark distinctive, and fails to provide any function that's source-indicating due to the mere facilitation of searching amidst categorization and online social media. Thus, a mark including or comprising the term "hashtag" or the hash symbol is registerable as a mark only if “the underlying mark functions as an identifier of the source of the products and services of the applicant.”<br />
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Okay, so let’s break this down a bit more succinctly. The following factors are what the USPTO considers when deciding on registration of a hashtag:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Context</li>
<li>Placement of the hash symbol in the mark</li>
<li>Use of the hashtag</li>
<li>Types of goods or services identified</li>
</ul>
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So, the hashtag is deemed not protectable if being used to reference a company’s social media campaign or to index a social media message – like any other trademark, the hashtag must be used to identify the source of a product or service. And, directly affecting whether the hashtag is protectable are the types of goods or services identified.<br />
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In deeming whether your business should protect its hashtags, you must consider the length of time a hashtag offers value to the company. Taking any substantive refusals out of the equation, it usually takes between six and eight months for registration of a mark, so it is likely not worth pursuing registration if a hashtag will only have a short-term use.<br />
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<b>Something Else to Consider: Can Using a Hashtag be Considered Trademark Infringement?</b><br />
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Can use of someone else’s trademark as a hashtag constitute trademark infringement? And, while we’re on the subject, can someone else’s use of your trademark as their hashtag infringe your mark? This area gets very complicated for a myriad of reasons, and is in a constant state of transition, so cases are unpredictable and can go both ways:<br />
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<ul>
<li>One court ruled that although a hashtag comprises the registered mark of another entity, the hashtag is merely a tool of a function used to guide consumers toward a particular promo, and as such is not an infringing act.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Another court, subsequently, in the Central District of California established that “hashtags are merely descriptive devices, not trademarks.”</li>
</ul>
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There are, however, a few cases that seem to support trademark enforcement against the use of hashtags; one such case, in the context of a preliminary injunction analysis, found that the use of a hashtag to be “relevant to the likelihood of confusion analysis” and “evidence of an intent to trade off the trademark owner’s goodwill.” The problem with these cases, though, revolves around their involvement in what's known as preliminary determinations and didn't yield the ultimate ruling regarding a hashtag infringing or not infringing the asserted mark.<br />
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<b>The Bottom Line</b><br />
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At the moment, businesses and corporations alike should use caution in this area, avoiding the use of any marks claimed by another party as part of their hashtags for their products and services. Similarly, trademark owners are advised to monitor their marks to ascertain if others are utilizing them in hashtags on social media.<br />
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<b>About the Author</b><br />
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Fran Perdomo is a leading NYC Intellectual Property Lawyer. To learn more, please visit her website at <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PerdomoLaw.com</a><br />
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Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-56891360522497966402018-04-14T09:33:00.002-04:002018-04-26T14:13:46.546-04:00Commercially Licensed Business Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P_zygbulqMT1fpi9Hu1y_mdnu2SpEOpSlD1BgYXj3xD8k_rFAokdFbwYo7Zh9XzYCUoFSXpezhYp0wYnaJkaM6uis8dyk9W6cu3IS-V20xfS2FyYCND0qEL6wQUYUGP2kq3Uc3qwMwM/s1600/The-Risk-of-Not-Using-Commercially-Licensed-Images-for-Your-Business.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Risk of Not Using Commercially Licensed Images for Your Business by Fran Perdomo of Perdomo Law" border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P_zygbulqMT1fpi9Hu1y_mdnu2SpEOpSlD1BgYXj3xD8k_rFAokdFbwYo7Zh9XzYCUoFSXpezhYp0wYnaJkaM6uis8dyk9W6cu3IS-V20xfS2FyYCND0qEL6wQUYUGP2kq3Uc3qwMwM/s640/The-Risk-of-Not-Using-Commercially-Licensed-Images-for-Your-Business.jpg" title="The Risk of Not Using Commercially Licensed Images for Your Business" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Risk of Not Using Commercially Licensed Images for Your Business</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Companies of all sizes use images on their websites, blogs, and social media marketing efforts. Most of these images are copied and used without commercially licensed authorization from the copyright owner of the art. Businesses are exposing themselves to potential financial risks, and potentially court appearances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Companies that license art, such as Getty Images and Shutterstock, have computer programs that search the internet for companies stealing and using their art without permission. Fines can be in the thousands of dollars for each occurrence. Individual photographers, songwriters, artists, musicians, and authors all have the same right to protect their intellectual property.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Copyright laws protect all "original works of authorship" across music, art, literature, and drama, including things like movies, poetry, novels, architecture, even computer software. Unlike patents or trademarks, it is not necessary to file any paperwork to secure your copyright. If you created the work, you own the copyright, immediately and without exception. Registering your copyright is voluntary, though required if the copyright holder wishes to bring a lawsuit for copyright infringement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Common Misconceptions About Using Copyrighted Materials Illegally</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are numerous myths justifying not purchasing permission to use copyrighted material and how you may be released from liability. For example, none of these proposed methods subvert copyright protections:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Altering the copyrighted image</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Attributing the original creator in the caption</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Adding a disclaimer that you do not own any of the copyrighted materials, and all rights belong to the original creator</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hyperlinking the copyrighted image back to the source</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Using the copyrighted content for personal use</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Utilizing the source URL to embed the copyrighted image on your website rather than hosting it on My web designer used it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I will just delete everything</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">None of these courses of action transfers or alters the original copyright holder's claim to financial compensation. If you get caught, and you probably will eventually, you have no legal leg to stand on and open yourself up to any rate the owners feels their art is worth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Think about it: You are using someone else’s property to generate revenue without paying for their services. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The copyright holder singular and complete control over how the image is used and distributed. To then use an image without permission is in blatant violation of the <a href="https://www.copyright.gov/reports/studies/dmca/dmca_executive.html" target="_blank">Copyright Act</a>. Failure to follow these laws exposes you, and your business, to fines and legal action.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Preventing a Crisis</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First, it is always best to consult with a <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Copyright-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Copyright Lawyer</a> with a background in business law. Explain to them what you have done, or are intending to do, and where you are currently getting your content. The cost of getting caught using copyrighted artwork without permission could exceed $2,000 for each occurrence. Don’t assume “I will just delete the pictures,” because the company you have taken intellectual property from will have already saved copies of your website with dates and times their images appeared.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have got a touch of creativity, the absolute best, cheapest, and safest route is to make your own images. The copyright law will protect your work the same as anyone else's. Because you created it, you will own the copyright.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stock photo websites like Getty Images and Shutterstock offer a variety of paid images, increasing the odds you will find what you are looking for, but this convenience comes with a premium price tag. Pay attention to the terms and conditions; on most of these websites, you are not purchasing the image, but a license to use it, and that comes with its own do's and don't's. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a business owner, you already comply with laws pertaining how you can operate your business. Paying to use copyrighted intellectual property falls under the same standard operating procedure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">About the Author</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fran Perdomo is NYC Business Lawyer experienced in <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Commercial-Litigation-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">commercial litigation</a> cases involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, and intellectual property. For more information, visit and contact <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perdomo Law</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Additional References</span></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Copyright in General - Copyright.gov</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.copyright.gov/reports/studies/dmca/dmca_executive.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Copyright Act - Copyright.gov</span></a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The content of this blog has been prepared by Perdomo Law for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The material posted on this website is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship, and readers should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel. Perdomo Law did not produce and is not responsible for the content of off-site legal resources. The materials on this site may constitute advertising under various state ethics rules.</span></div>
Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com01 World Trade Center #8500, New York, NY 10007, USA40.7121288 -74.01330639999997616.3092243 -115.32190039999998 65.115033300000007 -32.704712399999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-78262579978993898902018-04-11T07:09:00.000-04:002018-04-11T07:24:53.727-04:00Terminating Employees for Smoking Marijuana in NYS <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1nKQ6ulh8a-vW2fWCsMTsVkwI5SHrPufztq3Io1mxWzwLTaYZbcu9fd_vdWS0RzcibmXwgJt4ppzycsbTrt-fuD7UI_jlSQ2x36iuYNyp22nK7U5CX1aS8yEwn67Sadx37wYsx-e0DE/s1600/When-You-Can-Terminate-An-Employee-for-Smoking-Marijuana-in-New-York-State.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="When You Can Terminate An Employee for Smoking Marijuana in New York State by Perdomo Law" border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="800" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1nKQ6ulh8a-vW2fWCsMTsVkwI5SHrPufztq3Io1mxWzwLTaYZbcu9fd_vdWS0RzcibmXwgJt4ppzycsbTrt-fuD7UI_jlSQ2x36iuYNyp22nK7U5CX1aS8yEwn67Sadx37wYsx-e0DE/s640/When-You-Can-Terminate-An-Employee-for-Smoking-Marijuana-in-New-York-State.jpg" title="When You Can Terminate An Employee for Smoking Marijuana in New York State " width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When You Can Terminate An Employee for Smoking Marijuana in New York State</b></span><br />
<br />
Not long ago, firing an employee for testing positive for marijuana was a regular occurrence for employers. With some states legalizing its use under certain conditions, a situation that used to be black and white has developed a lot of gray areas. There have also been a lot of gray areas developing in the mind of employers because it has been proven effective in treating some medical conditions. Marijuana use it is not appropriate in most workplaces, and some of the side effects can pose safety hazards for all the employees in the company.<br />
<br />
In states like New York, firing an employee for using marijuana must be carefully weighed, sometimes on a case by case basis. The Compassionate Care Act allows residents to legally purchase and smoke medical marijuana, which means that some people who test positive can fall back on discrimination for medical conditions. It is essential for employers to know when you can terminate the employment of an employee for smoking marijuana in New York State.<br />
<br />
<b>Regulations that Prevent Terminating Medical Marijuana Patients</b><br />
<br />
Patients, certified to use medical marijuana, are protected by the New York State Human Right Laws (NYSHRL) and some disability laws. With medical marijuana legalized, employers must ensure their company policies and work standards are in place to be compliant with the new regulations.<br />
<br />
In the state of New York for employees who are “certified medical marijuana” users, employers who have four or more employees must:<br />
<ul>
<li>Not terminate employees who are certified medical marijuana patients.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Cannot discipline an employee based on their use or manufacturing of medical marijuana.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Must make reasonable accommodations for certified patients.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>If an employer performs any of these actions, they are at risk for discrimination claims.</li>
</ul>
<b>Exceptions to the Rule</b><br />
<br />
Just like with any law that prohibits you from firing an employee, there are two main exceptions to the rules listed above.<br />
<ul>
<li>Laws do not prevent an employer from terminating an employee based on inability to perform one’s job-related duties while under the influence of a controlled substance.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Laws do not force employers to continue a working relationship with an employee if it causes them to violate federal law, or if retention of the employee could cause the business to lose federal contracts or funding.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>These exceptions to the rule ensure that you are not forced to manage employees who are unable to perform their duties while they are under the influence of medical marijuana, or who will cause a financial downfall in your company.</li>
</ul>
<b>Protecting Yourself as an Employer</b><br />
<br />
Even though Certified Medical Marijuana Patients have some employment insurance through discrimination claims and allowances for drug testing, there are several things an employer can do to reduce the risk of liability in various situations. It would be recommended to consult with a local <b><a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Corporate-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Corporate Lawyer</a></b> who is familiar with all aspects of business law.<br />
<br />
Patients certified to use medical marijuana have been deemed to be disabled by the NYSHRL. Any necessary accommodations are determined on a case by case basis and can be affected by several things including:<br />
<ul>
<li>The type of business in question.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The position of the employee in the business.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The reason for the patient’s use of medical marijuana.</li>
</ul>
Throughout the process, employers should work interactively with any employee that is certified for medical marijuana use.<br />
<ul>
<li>Employers do not have to allow the possession, or the use, of medical marijuana inside the workplace.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Employers who have federal contracts or receive federal funding may be exempt from following the act. If federal agreements do not outline the use of medical marijuana, NYSHRL does not force an employer to allow or take any action, which causes the loss of federal funding or contracts. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Employers should take the time to ensure that all human resource staff, supervisors, and managers understand the company’s obligation to employees who are considered “certified medical marijuana patients.” Training should be provided to all staff members with a supervisory role. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>All employers should attend seminars that will keep them up to date with medical marijuana laws in their state. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Employers should review their drug and substance testing and abuse policies to ensure that they are up to date and are compliant with the Compassionate Care Act and the New York State Human Right Laws. Employers who are spread out over more than one state must ensure they comply with the laws and regulations of each state. They must understand their obligation to each state’s employees, and how the law varies from place to place. </li>
</ul>
With laws surrounding medical marijuana use changing, it is important for all employers to understand how to protect themselves, as well as how to protect your business. If an employee is unsafe to any degree, or it is not safe for other employees, to have a medical marijuana user at your place of business due to the nature of the work at hand, or because of their reaction to the marijuana, as an employer, it is your responsibility to take action. Also, if an employee is unable to perform their job duties with the provided accommodations, you are not required to keep them on staff.<br />
<br />
<b>About the Author</b><br />
<br />
Fran Perdomo is a lawyer in NYC who specializes in all aspects of business, corporate, and entertainment law. Learn more by visiting her website at <a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PerdomoLaw</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Additional References</b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4410963/" target="_blank">Medical Marijuana in the Workplace</a> - US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">State Medical Marijuana Laws</a> - National Conference of State Legislatures</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The content of this blog has been prepared by Perdomo Law for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The material posted on this website is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship, and readers should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel. Perdomo Law did not produce and is not responsible for the content of off-site legal resources. The materials on this site may constitute advertising under various state ethics rules.</span></div>
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Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com01 World Trade Center #8500, New York, NY 10006, USA40.7121288 -74.01330639999997616.3092298 -115.32190039999998 65.115027800000007 -32.704712399999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-59354566057371652832014-04-14T05:57:00.000-04:002018-04-11T07:25:40.414-04:00Sony Awarded $675,000 for Copyrighted Music Downloads<br />
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<img alt="Man with computer copyrighted music downloads" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eZBrkMhTVCa68OslStvJv6Jm4Co9dAIxiP2nrRgdlekj6QpRHgC7FMGeGrVB3DQmsnMl5uWjYb9SlrkZv5ClRdXbT2L3jKFbfjnzpN4d5VnvCIH_rPzPvUfPLSLLIqavkcem5RBWUgM/s1600/Copyrighted-Music-Downloads.jpg" title="Copyrighted Music Downloads" width="266" /></div>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For many years now, the battle has raged on between music companies and internet users that seek to download and obtain copyrighted product for free. On one side, the legitimate argument that a product that is otherwise sold is being taken, or stolen, when downloaded for free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the other side looms the argument that the internet is an arena of free reign in which the music companies are out of line for being concerned with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the recent ruling of Sony BMG Music Entertainment V. Tenenbaum USCA, First<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> Circuit June 25, 2013, the courts certainly affirmed the legitimacy of the music industry’s complaints.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the course of several years, Joel Tenenbaum downloaded as many as 5,000 individual songs online. This activity continued despite warnings from many parties including Tenenbaum’s own family members, friends, his college, and even a group of music companies. Eventually, Tenenbaum would face civil suit from Sony BMG Music Entertainment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The subsequent suit went in Sony’s favor, with the jury deciding on an award of $675,000 for the plaintiff. This figure was actually a representation of the findings that Tenenbaum had also illegally distributed 30 songs, each having a jury-attached value of $22,500. Regardless, the total amount of $675,000 was far below the maximum allowable award that could have been awarded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, Tenenbaum sought an appeal, contesting that his constitutional rights were being violated by such a decision. Tenenbaum attempted to sway the appeals court in the direction of a previous case, BMW of North America v. Gore, alleging due process problems with the previous decision, based on the BMW case outcome. The court however, felt that the previous Gore case could not parallel copyright law context being measured in this current case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another previous Supreme Court case, St. Louis, I.M. & S. Ry. Co. v. Williams, was also a matter of precedence for the court to follow. In this previous case, the standard was set in assessing the constitutionality of statutory damages awarded. For the sake of Sony BMG Music Entertainment V. Tenenbaum, the overseeing appeals court correctly upheld the $675,000 ruling, finding that in light of the defendant’s actions, this award amount was proportionate to the offense, and thus constitutionally correct.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fran Perdomo is a NYC Business Lawyer who focuses on <a href="http://www.perdomolaw.com/Entertainment-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">Entertainment Law</a> and protecting the rights of Musicians and Entertainers. Learn more by visiting her website at <a href="http://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PerdomoLaw.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #38393b; font-family: Lato; font-size: x-small;">The content of this blog has been prepared by Perdomo Law for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The material posted on this website is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship, and readers should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel. Perdomo Law did not produce and is not responsible for the content of off-site legal resources. The materials on this site may constitute advertising under various state ethics rules.</span></span></div>
Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-24745863735004344732014-03-29T14:25:00.001-04:002018-04-11T07:26:49.714-04:00New York to Overhaul the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The New York State Attorney General has worked alongside leaders in nonprofit communities for years as a means to make changes to the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. They are aiming to ensure that nonprofits provide fair compensation to their employees, as well as improve their management structures and make all of their transactions accessible to the public. These proposed changes are looking to go into effect on January 1, 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nonprofit reform has been an issue of heated discussion for many years now, especially when considering the high amount of revenue that nonprofits bring into New York State. These organizations have long needed better protections against fraud within their companies and have also needed to instate stronger whistle-blower protection policies, so individuals who attempt to expose misconduct or illegality within the company can avoid social or career persecution. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nonprofit leaders have been strongly in favor of this legislation, as it tries to simplify procedures that have long been considered cumbersome and pedantic. The legislation will also introduce improved technology into the nonprofit sphere, modernizing nonprofits without forcing them to sacrifice funds in other arenas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Key provisions of the Nonprofit Revitalization Act include: </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All companies in the country have recently had to deal with staff reduction and decreases in budgeting. As a result of this, incidents of fraud and theft have increased within companies. Nonprofits have been hit the hardest with these misfortunes and the bill aims to revitalize these organizations by establishing more succinct internal controls and derailing traditional power structures that have led to corruption.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This legislation will prevent any individual who serves as Chair of the organization's Board of Directors from also being a company employee. This provision aims to promote independent leadership within nonprofits, rather than isolating a select few individuals to have full reign over the company.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If any individual who owns 35 percent or more of the company has a vested interest in a certain transaction the company is making, the Board will be legally obligated to consider the advantages of other transactions.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mandatory auditing will be instated, by which an auditing committee will need to be established for each company. This will also aid in working through potential conflicts of interest within the company.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Definitive conflict of interest policies must be instated, including what constitutes a conflict of interest and how such situations will be resolved.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mandatory whistle-blower policies will need to be created. Any organization with more than 20 employees and an annual revenue greater than one million dollars will be required to adopt said policies. These procedures will aim to protect the companies against retaliation from whistle-blowers, as well as instill frameworks for reporting suspected misconduct.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The bill will also attempt to eliminate some of the hurdles that come along with making administrative changes within nonprofits. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the main concerns of nonprofits has been the two-step approval process in place for all nonprofit mergers. The new law would allow the Attorney General to serve as an alternative approval to the Supreme Court, so as to allow these mergers to happen in a time-efficient manner.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For all real estate transactions, the law will require a Board approval of two-thirds, rather than the previous requirement of majority rule.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Presently, many nonprofits have been required to obtain the approval of the State Education Department before incorporation. The types of companies that will be required to gain approval will be minimized and approval will only need to be granted within 10 days of incorporation.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The four types of nonprofits will be eliminated in lieu of two types: charitable and non-charitable. Organizations formed for both charitable and non-charitable purposes will be considered charitable corporations in the eyes of the law.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nonprofits will have full access to electronic means of communication, including e-mail and videoconferencing.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This law will change the requirement to obtain an audit from a gross revenue of 250,000 dollars to 500,000 dollars.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The new law will stress the importance of granting fair, reasonable compensation to all nonprofit employees for the services they are performing. A compensation committee will need to be created as a means to consistently ensure that compensation is adequate. Any employees making greater than 150,000 dollars will be reviewed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fran Perdomo is a leading NYC Business Lawyer, who focuses on entertainment law and <a href="http://www.perdomolaw.com/Commercial-Litigation-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">commercial litigation</a>. Learn more by visiting her website at <a href="http://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow">Perdomo Law</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #38393b; font-family: Lato; font-size: x-small;">The content of this blog has been prepared by Perdomo Law for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The material posted on this website is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship, and readers should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel. Perdomo Law did not produce and is not responsible for the content of off-site legal resources. The materials on this site may constitute advertising under various state ethics rules.</span></div>
Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4817801223471124374.post-27039420610643687582013-04-07T14:10:00.000-04:002018-04-11T07:27:56.509-04:00When a Musician or Artist Should File for Copyright Protection<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk_VbqQX7Qx8vuYLAo4ih4kpj2Ehxp7UGUqIqiVnJAAaOmi0BiZGJpyAMVZknpLmpNktt1JjDlP6NHCw2PjF3-FWFFwziQ2f0HrR2N8RgJ2CvzJ0S7Mq6uqYKWmyTu-KCFgVfAWV4IvQy/s1600/Professional-Singer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A Professional Singer who needs to file for Copyright Protection" border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQk_VbqQX7Qx8vuYLAo4ih4kpj2Ehxp7UGUqIqiVnJAAaOmi0BiZGJpyAMVZknpLmpNktt1JjDlP6NHCw2PjF3-FWFFwziQ2f0HrR2N8RgJ2CvzJ0S7Mq6uqYKWmyTu-KCFgVfAWV4IvQy/s1600/Professional-Singer.jpg" title="Professional Singer" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">An artist can have their music registered within 3 months.</span></span></td></tr>
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The world is constantly ringing with the emotion-filled sounds of music. Whether the music is naturally occurring through the voices of birds, amplified by the mechanical bellies of mankind's progressive machines, or created and executed through the genius of the human spirit, every sound, tone, pitch, and rhythm is unique.<br />
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While some of these kinds of sounds may make you want to grab your ears and beg for quiet, some melodious music can make even the most cynical person wish that the human ear could experience an even wider spectrum of sound.<br />
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However, irrespective of one's subjective feelings regarding a particular sound or song, the creator or creators of all types of music regularly seek to ensure that the law protects the fruits of their labor from commercial and artistic exploitation.<br />
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For the artist, what starts as an original idea of musical notes and lyrics eventually flows to a tangible medium of expression such as paper-the "musical composition"-and then bursts from the belly of instruments to a medium for recordation known as the "sound recording."<br />
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These two instrumental components of a musical idea combine and create the anatomy of a legally protectable song. This evolving idea has become "fixed" on these tangible mediums of expression and the United States Constitution entitles the artist to immediately register their fixed idea to prevent all others from using it without their consent. This area of the law is called copyright and grants a limited duration monopoly to encourage innovation in the world of creative expression by granting an exclusive right to perform, reproduce, sell, advertise, and promote your art.<br />
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Exclusivity of artistic and commercial control is a beautiful thing; but, like all good things, it must come to an end. This end will most likely not arise until 70 years after the creator's death or 95 years after the first publication-or the first public distribution-of the new song depending on whether the author is named, anonymous, pseudonymous, etc. In other words, you are considered the owner of your musical composition and recording for a sufficient, yet definite period of time.<br />
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To ensure that your legal status as the rightful owner of your musical composition and recording continues without interruption, registration with the United States Copyright Office ("Copyright Office") is a necessity.<br />
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<a href="http://www.perdomolaw.com/Copyright-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank"><b>Copyright Protection</b></a><br />
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While copyright ownership vests immediately with the artist the moment the song is written down or recorded, registration of the copyright provides greater protection in court when faced with trying to establish ownership of your interests in a song. For just $35.00, an artist can effectively have their music registered within three months. A streamline application allows for the registration of both the musical composition and sound recording for one fee.<br />
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While a song's composition and sound recording make up the anatomy of a song, producing, publishing, and licensing agreements can be likened with exercising the body of the song by seeking to increase productivity. Once an artist's registration process is complete, there are plenty of agreements to consider. It is likely that the artist was not in charge of writing the music, recording the music and producing the music simultaneously.<br />
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This process often involves music producers who seek to maximize the creative aspects of an artist's work and handle various administrative tasks associated with recording the music in the first place. Artists should be aware of the different forms of compensation generally given to producers such as granting them royalties on the albums sold or granting a one time flat fee for all of their work.<br />
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Also, licensing agreements can be great revenue-generating agreements that allow others use of your song, either in a movie, TV show, or commercial, for a limited period of time with your consent. Licensing agreements can be lucrative and also work to promote the artist's music simultaneously.<br />
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However, acquiring licensing opportunities is not as easy as it sounds. Most artists remain focused on the creative aspect of their music rather than the business aspect. Due to this fact, music publishing agreements between an artist and a music publisher generally call for a transfer of ownership of the artist's copyright in their music in exchange for the publisher promoting and soliciting different types of revenue-generating deals for the artist. The proceeds of these deals are then split between the publisher and the artist.<br />
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These post copyright registration considerations are complex and require a greater deal of attention than the brief descriptions above. Please check back with us and read our next post for more information on the complexities of music producing, licensing, and publishing.<br />
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Fran Perdomo, Esq.<br />
<a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/Entertainment-Lawyer-NYC" target="_blank">NYC Entertainment Lawyer</a><br />
<a href="https://www.perdomolaw.com/" rel="nofollow">Perdomo Law</a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #38393b; font-family: Lato; font-size: x-small;">The content of this blog has been prepared by Perdomo Law for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The material posted on this website is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship, and readers should not act upon it without seeking professional counsel. Perdomo Law did not produce and is not responsible for the content of off-site legal resources. The materials on this site may constitute advertising under various state ethics rules.</span>Francelina M. Perdomo Klukoskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08717137213985074501noreply@blogger.com0