This is a short post because the point is simple: If you choose to do business with individuals who do not like to run their business with written agreements, good governance, and sound policies – it’s to your detriment. We’ve written countless times about the need for all businesses to treat themselves “like a business” … Read more
If you’ve read our blog religiously, you’ll know that I often write about intellectual property and video games (or, cartoons). Well, its been awhile, and in 2020, levity is required! So, today, we’re talking about the two most famous (fictional) apes of all time – Donkey Kong & King Kong – and the epic intellectual … Read more
Guess what often increases in the fourth quarter of every year? Buying and selling of businesses. Guess what else can increase during a recession? Yup, buying and selling of businesses. The first trend is not a surprise. You can close at the end of the calendar year, which is also the end of many a … Read more
Things have been pretty exciting in trademark law over the last few years. The Slants won a case in the Supreme Court to protect their band’s name – overturning a longtime precedent of the USPTO barring trademark protection for “disparaging terms.” Now, the Supreme Court is at it again – ruling against the USPTO and … Read more
Here we are. We know our company has value and so does the trademark. That means I often look at it through a final set of lenses. Those are succinctly put: Offense Defense Increase value Other third party considerations (a/k/a Amazon told me to) Offense: Are we wanting to swat down people trying to pretend … Read more
Now we know that we are eligible for federal registration, and that we can afford it. But is it important? Is this a primary part of our business or not? What is your return on your investment for this product? In our pretend business, SCRUBBIEDUBS is our overall trademark, so that’s likely important. What if … Read more
After last week’s post, we know that for a federal trademark we need to have interstate commerce, often because we are selling across state lines. So let’s pretend that we know we can apply for federal registration based on sales. Now, we have to decide if it is a strong trademark: Is this mark protectible? … Read more
I have been asked the question, “Is getting a trademark worth the money?” a lot lately. Companies are trying to protect their assets and their budget. They want to spend their money wisely so they rightly ask if this is a good use of it. Now, I always laugh a little and remind them that … Read more
All good things must come to an end. On October 31, 2020 Wisconsin’s Hemp Pilot program that was ushered in by the 2014 Farm Bill will be replaced with a permanent program that complies the 2018 Farm Bill and Wisconsin Act 68. The program was supposed to sunset sooner, but as with many things these … Read more
We firmly believe that the most important thing that a business can do is listen to their customers. Listen to what they are telling you, listen to what they are asking you, but also listen for their problems beyond their direct statements and questions. But don’t stop there. Then look at what you can do … Read more