In the world of trademark law, there is a common misconception that simply using a word or logo on a product makes it a mark. However, the USPTO often issue a failure-to-function refusal – a...
In a fresh precedential ruling on January 22, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reinforced a difficult truth for software patent owners: describing a “cool result” is not the...
You have developed the perfect name for your new product. It is catchy, memorable, and perfectly captures your brand’s essence. You are ready to file that trademark application and make it official....
For many patent applicants, the first communication they receive from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is not a “yes” or a “no” on their invention. It is, rather, a pick-one....
With a new presidential administration, as of early 2026, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has significantly shifted its posture under a more protectionist “America First”...
For a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME), a trademark is more than just a logo; it is a primary business asset. While “common law” rights exist simply by using a name in business, they are...
For years, visual artists—painters, illustrators, and graphic designers—have faced a frustrating choice: pay a separate filing fee for every single published work or leave their portfolio...
Short answer: maybe. As of early 2026, the law surrounding AI and fair use is in a state of active transition. Federal courts are still figuring out the contours of copyright law given the new AI...
The landscape for international inventors is shifting. On December 29, 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks to end the era of...
Can a person “own” the art on someone else’s skin? That was the high-stakes question at the heart of the recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Sedlik v. von Drachenberg. In a case that...