What We’re Talking About

Facebook Privacy Settlement: Dollars of Disappointment
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Facebook Privacy Settlement: Dollars of Disappointment

By now, you've probably heard the buzz about Meta (Facebook's parent company) shelling out $725 million in a settlement over privacy infringements. If you're thinking this sounds like justice served, hold that thought. On the surface, the figure seems astronomical. But when you dig a little deeper, you might start to feel like we've all been shortchanged.

Read More
Farewell to a Legend: Jimmy Buffett’s Eternal Sunset in Margaritaville
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Farewell to a Legend: Jimmy Buffett’s Eternal Sunset in Margaritaville

The world collectively sighed in unison as news broke on September 1st that Jimmy Buffett, the man who serenaded us into a beachy reverie with 'Margaritaville,' had passed away at the age of 76. Like a conch shell echoing across sandy shores, Jimmy's legacy resounds in the realms of music, entrepreneurship, and philosophy. While many know him for his breezy island tunes, others appreciate the lifestyle empire he built, turning a song into a state of mind that influenced millions.

Read More
Eminem Takes Legal Action Against Vivek Ramaswamy
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Eminem Takes Legal Action Against Vivek Ramaswamy

This is a time when campaign slogans, promises, and yes, music, reverberate in the hearts of Americans. Yet sometimes, political harmony hits a sour note, as it recently did for Republican presidential candidate and tech entrepreneur, Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy, who has taken to rapping on the campaign trail, appears to be backing down after Grammy-award winning rapper Eminem asked him to stop performing his songs at campaign events.

Read More
"I Have a Dream" at 60: The Unfinished Symphony of Justice and Equality
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

"I Have a Dream" at 60: The Unfinished Symphony of Justice and Equality

On August 26, 2023, America paused to commemorate the 60th anniversary of one of the most transformative moments in its history—the day Martin Luther King Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and galvanized a nation with his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. Thousands gathered to retrace those steps, to listen, to reflect, and most importantly, to remind America of its unfinished symphony—a composition of justice, equality, and the American Dream.

Read More
What Can Be Trademarked: A Comprehensive Guide
Travis Mendoza Travis Mendoza

What Can Be Trademarked: A Comprehensive Guide

Trademarks are a crucial aspect of branding, offering businesses legal protection against infringement. A trademark, which is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services from others, can be a valuable asset to your business. However, only some things can be trademarked. This blog will guide you through the different types of trademarks and what can or cannot be trademarked.

Read More
Reggie Bush vs. NCAA: The Trophy, the Titles, and the Truth
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Reggie Bush vs. NCAA: The Trophy, the Titles, and the Truth

Fifteen years after the NCAA began investigating Reggie Bush, the former USC superstar has burst through an opening he’s long been waiting for. Bush announced yesterday he is suing the NCAA for defamation and seeking the return of his Heisman Trophy. Alongside his attorneys Levi McCathern and Ben Crump, Bush is not just running towards the end zone; he's sprinting towards justice.

Read More
A Piece of Facebook's $725 Million Privacy Settlement: What You Need to Know
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

A Piece of Facebook's $725 Million Privacy Settlement: What You Need to Know

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to a substantial $725 million settlement over privacy-related issues. If you were an active Facebook user in the United States between May 2007 and December 2022, you might be entitled to a share of this settlement. Here's everything you need to know.

Read More
Justice Served: A Landmark $1.2 Billion Verdict in Texas 'Revenge Porn' Lawsuit
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Justice Served: A Landmark $1.2 Billion Verdict in Texas 'Revenge Porn' Lawsuit

The legal landscape has witnessed a monumental ruling that resonates with many victims of so-called “revenge porn” across the nation. Last week in Harris County, Texas, a jury awarded an astonishing $1.2 billion in damages to a woman who courageously took a stand against her former boyfriend's abuse. Here's what you need to know.

Read More
Taylor’s Version: How Taylor Swift is Redefining the Music Industry, One Re-Recorded Album at a Time
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Taylor’s Version: How Taylor Swift is Redefining the Music Industry, One Re-Recorded Album at a Time

Taylor Swift's journey in the music industry is a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and storytelling. Her ability to craft songs that resonate with millions while also challenging industry norms and standards has truly redefined the music landscape. The music industry, much like many other industries, is filled with tales of artists who lose rights to their works, only to regret it later. But when it comes to redefining the narrative and leveraging intellectual property (IP) rights, few have showcased the brilliance quite like Taylor Swift.

Read More
Ozempic: The Trend, the Trials, and the Truth
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Ozempic: The Trend, the Trials, and the Truth

In the expansive universe of modern medicine, the hunt for the perfect weight loss solution remains relentless. Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, primarily developed for diabetes management, have increasingly garnered attention, not solely for their intended purpose but also for their off-label use in weight loss. However, with this rising fame come significant concerns about safety, long-term implications, and ethical medical practices.

Read More
Navigating Google's New Trademark Policy: What You Need to Know
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Navigating Google's New Trademark Policy: What You Need to Know

Google recently unveiled a significant shift in its Google Ads Trademark policy that will fundamentally transform the way it handles trademark complaints. Effective from July 24, 2023, the tech giant will now focus on specific advertisers and ads in processing trademark complaints, instead of all advertisers operating within the same industry as the trademark owner. This transition will involve phasing out trademark restrictions that were active before July 24, 2023, over the subsequent 12 to 18 months. Here's what you need to understand about this new Google policy and how it could potentially impact your trademark rights.

Read More
Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Key Measures Against Potential Infringements
Travis Mendoza Travis Mendoza

Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Key Measures Against Potential Infringements

For innovators, entrepreneurs, or business operators, a significant portion of your efforts is likely devoted to crafting unique products and services. However, with innovation comes potential intellectual property (IP) infringement. As per the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, more than 85% of novice inventors have encountered unauthorized duplication of their inventions. As such, it's crucial to safeguard your invention to avoid potential legal complexities and retain control over its use and profit generation. In this article, we'll explore necessary actions when encountering infringement on your IP rights— offering you peace of mind that your hard work is protected!

Read More
Temu vs Shein: The Catfight Shaking Up the World of Ultra-Fast Fashion
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Temu vs Shein: The Catfight Shaking Up the World of Ultra-Fast Fashion

Chinese e-commerce rivals, Temu and Shein, are involved in a full-blown legal catfight over fast-fashion retail space in the US. Last week, the newcomer Temu (known for its relentless social ads) slapped Shein (your Gen-Z sibling's favorite shopping app) with an antitrust lawsuit. Let's grab some popcorn, shall we?

Read More
Understanding the Cost of Patent Litigation
Travis Mendoza Travis Mendoza

Understanding the Cost of Patent Litigation

One frequently asked question about patent infringement revolves around the often prohibitive cost of patent litigation. The financial toll for those embroiled in such disputes can be astonishing, often escalating into the millions of dollars. This stems from the intricate issues at play, the necessity of engaging numerous specialists, and the multitude of proceedings like Inter Partes Review. These elements combined can generate formidable legal expenses for those navigating patent litigation proceedings.

Read More
Patent Law: Understanding the Importance of Obviousness
Travis Mendoza Travis Mendoza

Patent Law: Understanding the Importance of Obviousness

Every inventor's dream is to create something no one has ever seen. But to legally protect your invention, it's essential to ensure that it passes the test of obviousness. So, what exactly is obviousness in the context of patents, and why is it so crucial for aspiring innovators?

Read More
Guarding Your Brand's Identity: Trademark Protection 101
Travis Mendoza Travis Mendoza

Guarding Your Brand's Identity: Trademark Protection 101

Trademark protection is a powerful device that differentiates your products in the market and provides an exclusive right to use them. Trademark protection is based on a “strength” classification system. We'll discuss why a strong trademark is crucial for businesses, explaining how evaluating its strength can help ensure product recognition from competitors – giving you peace of mind now and long-term protection into the future.

Read More
Twitter’s Troublesome Transition: Lessons in Intellectual Property
Christine Sterkel Christine Sterkel

Twitter’s Troublesome Transition: Lessons in Intellectual Property

In the ever-evolving world of technology and branding, there's always something happening that's worth our attention. This time, it's Twitter's dramatic departure from its well-known blue bird logo to a simple "X". What's more, it has also altered its site address to "X.com", effectively retiring the well-established terms such as "tweets" and "retweets". However, this fresh take on branding seems to have hit a bump already.

Read More