10 October 2024 · Copyright, Influencer, Music, Social Media
Social Media influencers using music in their posts for a commercial purpose. Marriott Hotel were using Sony music in social media posts. Some posts were using influencers and others were directly attributable. Sony claimed they were owed $139m license fees and damages for copyright issues connected to the unlicensed usage of the music and […]
Read More9 October 2024 · Articles
As non-competes become less reliable, trade secrets are more critical than ever for protecting your valuable and sensitive information like strategies, customer information, product designs, and specialised know-how. On October 16th at 5pm BST I’ll be joining @Chris Buntel and moderated by @Tim Londergan in a discussion hosted by @Tangibly on how businesses can navigate […]
Read More8 October 2024 · Articles, Brand, Trademark
Deliberate Trademark Infringement by Nike? Big Co knowingly infringes Small Co’s trademark expecting to go to court and win because it could outspend smaller Co? This is what Judge Greenspan said in a trademark fight between Nike and a company called Lontex over the brand Cool Compression. It is a strategy but not one that […]
Read More5 October 2024 · Articles, Brand, Copyright, Influencer, Music, Social Media
Social Media Influencer Katrin Szymborska’s company declared bankrupt in August 2024. The same year she received two hefty fines, contributing to the demise of her company. Fined for Using Music on Social Media She was fined 1m SEK for hidden advertising i.e. not declaring her paid promotions, then in June this year for using Abba […]
Read More3 October 2024 · IP Strategy, Knowledge, Trade secrets
Most business have substantial ‘banks’ of knowledge but generally do very little about capturing it; so that when it leaves, is stolen, fades away, or burns, it is lost. Data, expertise, customer insights, profitability information, research results, algorithms business methods, software development capability, production techniques, design skills.etc. are all potentially very valuable. Identifying and protecting […]
Read More30 September 2024 · Innovation, IP Strategy, IP Value, Patents, Trade secrets
Patents are not the only answer to the innovation / invention IP question. If I asked you if I could share your invention with the world, what would you want in return? This is the pay off you are making when you file for a patent. 20 year monopolistic rights over the patented invention? Yes. […]
Read More27 September 2024 · Articles
We did it. We managed a tour 14 years after the last one. Until 20120 we used to do a 4 day trip every year for but life got in the way. Last November we met for our usual drinks (that never stopped!) and committed to getting the bikes back on the road again. I […]
Read More25 September 2024 · Counterfeit, Fakes, Social Media
Woolly, furry, cosy cardigans looked great on Facebook But when they were delivered ‘Not So Much’ The product was not wool at all but polyester with a photograph printed on the material giving the woolly, furry effect! Pump and dump on social media then close down and move on Be careful I know friends and […]
Read More23 September 2024 · Knowledge Transfer, M&A Due Diligence, Tech Transfer, Trade secrets
Employee joins another company, transfers valuable knowledge to develop competing products! AbbVie has at least three trade secrets law suits like this underway at the moment: “AbbVie lawsuit says rival Adcentrx stole anti-cancer secrets” “AbbVie sues rival BeiGene over alleged theft of cancer therapy secrets” “Botox rival Revance loses bid to dismiss Allergan trade secrets […]
Read More18 September 2024 · Articles, Brand, Trademark
Why invite trouble when you choose your name? ‘Easy’ anything is going to get challenged by Stelios and his easyGroup lawyers so why would you even bother? Change Your Name? Pop group Easy Life had to change their name to Hard Life after a trademark contest with easyGroup. easyGroup is the owner of more than […]
Read More18 September 2024 · IP Culture, IP Education, IP Strategy
First understand your value drivers Then work out how to protect those with contracts, technical measures and IP (intellectual property). You can start today with unregistered rights such as Copyright, Trademarks, Designs and Trade Secrets. You can engage an adviser such as an IP lawyer or you could use an IP business adviser like me […]
Read More18 September 2024 · Articles
Johnny Marr has run off and registered The Smiths trademark in his name without telling Morrissey! Morrissey is not happy saying: “Amongst many other things, this means that Marr can now tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice, and it also prohibits Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying Morrissey considerable […]
Read More