Building an Ecosystem

I’ve been doing some research into how to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem – something I have been tasked with for one of the many projects I seem to have stumbled into. I came across this great list of values that should be embedded into an ecosystem. But, as I read the values, it really seems … Read more

Berne[d] by Copyright Treaties

In 1886 a bunch of countries got together in one of the most important international treaties in history. Called the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, it was intended to address the evil of cross-border infringement of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. These books were so popular in … Read more

Introducing: Sherri Schaaf!

Have you ever wished for a magical being to come help you with, well, everything?  We did, and our wish came true!  We are absolutely thrilled to introduce you Sherri Schaaf.  Sherri is our Paralegal and Client Support Coordinator. She is dedicated, capable, hard-working, and organized to the hilt.  There is very little that Sherri … Read more

You’ll See Things You Never Did Before

Whenever I am talking to someone about their trademark, the topic of using a TM or ® comes up.  First, which should one use?  Second, when should they use it?  The first question is easy.  If you have a federally registered trademark on the mark being used, then the ® is for you.  Everyone else gets to use … Read more

You’re Not From Around Here, Are You?

If you do business outside of the state in which you are organized (e.g., you are a Wisconsin LLC, but do business in Illinios), you have to tell that other state that you are doing business there.  That is, you register as a foreign company.  Yup, it is as you always suspected, those Illinois people … Read more

For Sale: Baked Goods Just Like Mom’s

In May of this year, Judge Duane Jorgenson in Lafayette Court found Wisconsin’s ban on the sale of homemade cookies, breads and other baked goods is unconstitutional because it primarily serves business interests.  Since then, the state legislature has tried to pass bills allowing certain home-baked goods (usually limited to a certain dollar amount per year) without … Read more

Lambic, Gueuze, and Methode Traditionelle

There is a really long explanation that goes around Certification Marks, Geographical Indications, and the respect Americans must give to their European counterparts. Moreover, there is a long and tortured history of international law, broken treaties, and implemented international protocols dedicated to recognizing trademarks, appelation d’origine controlle (AOC), and other designations across borders. I’m not … Read more

Help Sector67

If you are involved in the Madison entrepreneurship scene, you know Chris Meyer of Sector67 and Heather Wentler of the Doyenne Group.  They are tireless in their work to create an entrepreneurship climate here.  Sector67 is an amazing makerspace that welcomes all types of do-ers.  In an effort to have a bigger, permanent home for … Read more

Thanks for Nothing

One of my favorite legal concepts is “genericide” or “genericize.”  That is when the public takes a perfectly good trademark and makes it value-less to the trademark owner by turning it into an everyday word. I like the drama of “genericide” because it truly is a brand-killer.  Often, it is when the marketing has been … Read more

Swing Your Counterpart Round and Round

Here with another post to demystify contracts, today we discuss counterparts.  In a common provision, we see something like: Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute the same agreement. In first grade, we learned to figure out new words using context.  Great.  Context here is that uh, … Read more