Note: I first published this article as the cover story in the Dec/Jan 2013 issue of ITMA Review, a print-only publication from the UK’s Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys. It was co-authored with Allister McManus of ipconsult. The Madrid Protocol is a tremendous tool for helping your clients secure trademark protection in other […]
The Khroma Brand Name & The Kardashians – Trademark Law at work
Chroma is the Greek word for color, and many entrepreneurs are now sorry that they ever decided to use even a variation of that word in their business names. Since the Kardashian sisters have entered the makeup marketplace with their line of Kardashian Khroma makeup, small cosmetic business owners across the country have begun to […]
Recipe Copyright Ownership for Restaurants and Chefs
There are many nuances when it comes to copyright ownership of recipes created by a chef while employed at a restaurant, but there are some simple ways for a restaurant owner to protect recipes created by a chef from copyright issues. The easiest and simplest way is for the chef to sign a written employment […]
Publishing Advances and Writing Commitments
Earlier this month, The Penguin Group, second largest trade book publisher in the world, sued five authors who accepted advances but never produced the promised books. The authors included: Elizabeth Wurtzel, author of Prozac Nation, who signed a $100,000 deal for another book in 2003; Blogger Ana Marie Cox, who signed book deal in 2006; Rebecca […]
Google Changes Search Algorithm to Downgrade Sites Accused of Copyright Infringement
About a month ago, Google made a significant change to its search algorithm. With this change, Google will downgrade websites that are accused of violating copyright laws. Google, in an http://insidesearch.blogspot.com post, said that the new algorithm will take into account the number of valid copyright takedown notices that Google receives. Sites referenced in a […]
Five Reasons Every Website Needs Terms of Use
Anyone who has registered on a website has seen the “I Agree” checkbox at the end of the process. You can’t register unless you agree to the website’s Terms of Use. Whether you run your own website or just register on other websites, you may wonder, are those Terms of Use really necessary? When you […]
Four Copyright Tips for Students
Many college students get into trouble because they don’t understand or follow copyright laws. While doing school projects, papers, or presentations, students may end up violating copyright laws. Students often hear about plagiarism. Plagiarism is not a law; it’s a breach of ethics. It may get you fired or cause you to fail an exam, […]
City Weekly Interview–Utah Lawyers for the Arts
City Weekly just published my recent interview with Gavin Sheehan about Utah Lawyers for the Arts.
Research Shows Lead Position of Wells for U.S. Trademark Prosecution Among Utah Lawyers
We recently completed a round of research showing that, compared to any other attorney in the State of Utah, Nicholas Wells of Wells IP Law, LLC has more than twice as many clients with active United States trademark applications. Among cities of its size in the United States, the Salt Lake City, Utah metropolitan area […]
Music and the Law–Free Seminar from Utah Lawyers for the Arts and UMOCA
On March 24, from 1-4 pm, Utah Lawyers for the Arts and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) are hosting a free three-hour seminar on Music & the Law. The presenter is Thomas Leavens, Esq., a partner at the law firm of Leavens, Strand, Glover & Adler, LLC and an experienced entertainment lawyer who […]