Canada hasn’t revised its trademark laws since 1952, but this year, new Canadian laws will go into effect that will not only address changes in technology and the trademark needs that come with those advancements, but also will make Canada’s trademark laws more globally compatible. Most importantly, Canada will now utilize the Madrid Protocol, a…
As the founder of a business, you have a vested interest in making sure that you protect the stock and equity that you have in that business. As a founder, you have what is commonly referred to as “founder’s stock.” So what is founder’s stock exactly? In general, founder’s stock is really just a fancy…
Starbucks spent $387 Million last year alone to create an entire user experience through branding and brand protection. Take away that branding, and the remainder would be nothing but (some would say mediocre) cup of coffee in a paper cup. Possibly to a lesser extent, every business focuses on creating a brand because it essentially…
Copyright Infringement Copyright law protects original expressions. Original expressions include: writings, art, songs, music, dance, software, blue prints etc. Protection is automatic (but enhanced with a copyright filing) and it is protected for the life of the crated plus 70 years. Copyright infringement (colloquially referred to as “copyright theft”) is when someone uses copyrighted materials…
When you’re laying a strong legal foundation for your business, it’s important that your attorney understands you, your business plan, and financials. Why? A business’ legal issues don’t exist in a vacuum; they’re impacted by everything from benchmarks to financing. If your attorney doesn’t have a strong overview of your business and a general understanding…
Trademarks are any symbols and/or words legally registered or established to represent a product, service, or company. For businesses, a strong trademark is a powerful tool for creating a solid brand which stands out from other companies. But if you want to get the most out of your trademark, you will need to understand how…
We’ve discussed why your company website or app needs a privacy policy (hint: because if you’re collecting personal data, even just email addresses for your newsletter, you’re legally required to have one!). But what about one of those “terms of use “ or “terms and conditions” agreements that you see on websites and apps all…
Does your company have a website or mobile app? Are you collecting personal data from website visitors? If the answer is yes, then you are required by law to have a privacy policy. What is a privacy policy? A privacy policy (also often called a privacy notice or privacy statement) lets users know what information…
When I was in law school, I learned to apply legal precedents to individual cases (“fact patterns”) to best advocate for clients—we didn’t even brush on how to best give guidance or advice. As we are known as “counselors at law,” I find this lack of educational focus somewhat surprising. Just like any other counselor,…
If you search trademark disputes often, as I do, you will notice the beer industry popping up in headlines on a regular basis. I think one reason this industry is so prone to trademark issues is the cyclical nature of the business. Brewers are pressured to introduce new seasonal products on a regular basis, and…