How to Use Trademarks

0 Comments Published May 10th, 2008 in Business, Internet, Michigan Law, Trademark

Use it or lose it.
—Popular saying

Who steals my purse, steals trash…but he that filches from me my good name, robs me of that which not enriches him, and makes me poor indeed….
—Shakespeare

Today’s businesses use a number of trademarks and service marks daily. They may be words or phrases which are unique and original to the business—or graphic designs. They may be federally registered—or protected by state registration—or, simply by ongoing use.

How does trademark law affect you? State and federal trademark laws entitle you to protect your trademarks and service marks against others who use deceptive or fraudulent imitations of your marks, or use your marks improperly. Federal registration is the best protection you can have for your marks. In order to preserve your ability to enforce your federal and state trademark and service mark rights, you must be careful to always use your trademarks and service marks in a manner which identifies them as marks, and which distinguishes them from ordinary descriptive adjectives. Because improper usage can destroy a trademark or service mark, this FAQ (guide to Frequently Asked Questions) contains some legal guidelines on proper mark use . . . . Continue reading ‘How to Use Trademarks’

Technology Law Practice

0 Comments Published May 10th, 2008 in Business, Consumer, Employment

Technology law practice includes the following services:

  • license agreements
  • merchandising agreements
  • software developer’s agreements and legal support
  • computer marketing, support, service, maintenance and distribution agreements
  • copyright protection for technology
  • database and information server protection and liability counseling
  • federal trademark registration
  • counseling on taxation of technology
  • confidentiality, nondisclosure, noncompetition, and evaluation agreements
  • e-mail and employee computer and Internet use policy drafting
  • infringement analysis and strategy Continue reading ‘Technology Law Practice’

Conferences and Programs

0 Comments Published May 10th, 2008 in Seminar and Presentation Materials

Lecturer, DIGITAL DESIGN INSTITUTE SERIES. Digital Design Insitute, Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 1999­May 2000.Lecturer, “Legal Issues in Putting Content on the Internet,” State Bar Annual Meeting, Arts, Communication, Entertainment and Sports Law Section, Lansing, Michigan, September 1995.

 

Lecturer, BRAVE NEW WORLDTM BUSINESS LAW SERIES.  “Creativity for Sale:  A Guide to Independent Contractor Law, Part I — Tax, Labor and Agency Law, Part II — Ownership Issues,” “Law of the Digital Image,” and “CYBERLAW:  Online Protection and Liability,” Ann Arbor Seminars Worldwide, Ann Arbor, Michigan, March­June 1995. Continue reading ‘Conferences and Programs’

Ownership and Protection of Multimedia Works

0 Comments Published May 9th, 2008 in Copyright, Patent, Trademark

I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.
— Old Chinese proverb

Multimedia works are a complex marriage of art and technology, involving writers, directors, producers, computer programmers, worklng with text-based materials, special software, scanners, audio, video, animation, and the latest in CD-ROM and online distribution methods. Most multimedia works are interactive — allowing the user to affect the work’s order of playback, or its performance.

Continue reading ‘Ownership and Protection of Multimedia Works’