Intellectual Property Law and Copyright Laws

This quarterly installment examines critical legal challenges facing in-house counsel, from WD-40's trade secret protection strategy and copyright ownership complexities to the emerging risks attorneys face when integrating generative AI into their practice. The series also explores how trademark law intersects with AI-generated deepfakes and why relying on public AI tools for legal guidance may compromise privilege protections.

A Southern District of New York decision denying Maxim's preliminary injunction against Playboy demonstrates the critical distinction between copying business mechanics and violating protectable intellectual property rights.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming trade secret litigation, making reverse engineering easier while simultaneously complicating traditional legal definitions of proprietary information. Courts in 2025 demonstrated heightened skepticism toward broad trade secret claims, requiring unprecedented specificity in identifying protected information.

This webinar explores the complex landscape of patent applications for microorganisms and specific strains, examining when biological deposits are necessary and how they impact patent strategy. Attendees will learn practical approaches to drafting applications that support both deposited strain claims and broader microorganism claims, while understanding the scope of protection and potential infringement scenarios.

Mediation outcomes in intellectual property disputes depend on more than just facts and legal arguments. Financial investment, time allocation, mediator expertise, and structural choices all signal the level of seriousness parties bring to the negotiation table...

The State of Colorado has taken a notable step in reshaping how creative businesses can be structured and financed with the introduction of the Colorado Artist Company Act (SB26 133).

This quarterly installment examines critical legal challenges facing in-house counsel, from WD-40's trade secret protection strategy and copyright ownership complexities to the emerging risks attorneys face when integrating generative AI into their practice. The series also explores how trademark law intersects with AI-generated deepfakes and why relying on public AI tools for legal guidance may compromise privilege protections.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has initiated a new PCT Informed Examination Request (PIER) Pilot Program. The PIER Pilot Program relates only to national stage applications filed..

A Boston-based jewelry brand's transition from Coastal Caviar to CLUB COASTAL demonstrates how resolving one trademark dispute can lead directly into another. The rebranding effort now faces potential conflicts with existing COASTAL registrations...

This quarterly installment examines critical legal challenges facing in-house counsel, from WD-40's trade secret protection strategy and copyright ownership complexities to the emerging risks attorneys face when integrating generative AI into their practice. The series also explores how trademark law intersects with AI-generated deepfakes and why relying on public AI tools for legal guidance may compromise privilege protections.

Government contractors performing federal work involving patented inventions or copyrighted materials may face infringement claims from rights holders. Section 1498 of Title 28 provides a statutory framework that shields contractors from district court liability by channeling such claims exclusively to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims against the government itself. This protection extends to both direct and indirect infringement when contractors act with proper government authorization and consent.

A Southern District of New York decision denying Maxim's preliminary injunction against Playboy demonstrates the critical distinction between copying business mechanics and violating protectable intellectual property rights.