When reading documents from your lawyer, you may find a number of legal terms that you don't recognize. Some of the legal terms you're most likely to encounter when involved in a legal dispute are: Mediation, Arbitration, and Trial Mediation is an attempt to settle a legal dispute with the help of an impartial mediator (or referee), who tries to [...]
The US Copyright Office recently published guidance describing when the copyright in works created using artificial intelligence (AI) can be registered. It has long been held that copyright protects only works created by humans. The new guidance clarifies that, while this remains true, in some instances, the copyright in works created using the assistance of AI can be registered. In [...]
Nearly every business has some form of intellectual property (IP). While it is an intangible asset, in many cases intellectual property is more valuable than tangible assets such as equipment and inventory. Copyrights Copyright protects original creative works, such as artwork, literary works, musical and dramatic works, software, sound recordings and motion pictures. Although a protectible work is automatically copyrighted [...]
Expansion of Rights for Pregnant and Nursing Workers Late last year, President Biden signed into law the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The PUMP Act takes effect April 28, 2023, and applies to both exempt and nonexempt employees. Under this new law, employers must provide all nursing mothers [...]
When you have a dispute with someone, your first thought may be, “I’ll sue that $#@*&^%!” but this may not be the best option. Litigation is a stressful, time-consuming, slow, and expensive way to resolve a dispute. This means that, even without all the slowdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, settling a dispute is often preferable to resolving the matter [...]
You’re angry. Your employer fired you, or your neighbor plays loud music every day, or you slipped walking into the grocery store. Should you sue? Maybe not. Before filing a lawsuit, there are a number of things you should think carefully about, including these risks. 1. No matter how good your case appears to be, you might lose. 2. Even [...]
Monday Night Ventures LLC, a small Atlanta-based brewery that does business under the name Monday Night Brewing, applied to register the mark TACO TUESDAY for its Mexican-style lager, which is sold on tap as well as in cans. The US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) refused registration of the mark on the grounds that “Taco Tuesday” is a widely used [...]
We frequently get questions from our clients about requests for payment of registration, publication, or renewal fees for corporate, domain name and intellectual property filings. Requests may also be received for monitoring fees or the preparation of minutes. The scam requests typically look like invoices or letters, often containing false due dates or threats about loss of rights if you [...]
It is believed that either Benjamin Franklin or Mark Twain said “Nothing is certain except for death and taxes.” Not having appropriate estate planning documents to address both of these certainties is a mistake. The fact is that we don't know when we're going to die. Nor do we know when we might become incapacitated due to an accident or [...]
In fiscal year 2021, the US Department of Labor (DOL) collected $164.6 million in back wages for employees that it determined were not paid in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). That law, as well as the laws of most—if not all—states, classifies employees as either "exempt" or "nonexempt" from minimum wage and overtime provisions. Nonexempt employees are [...]
