Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby’s estate reached a settlement this past Friday after a long legal battle over claims to intellectual property rights regarding several popular superhero characters. Kirby, who was responsible for creating the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America, The Hulk and many others, passed away in 1994; however,…

While the Washington “Redskins” name and logo remains a controversial topic of debate, a favorable judgment was entered for five Native Americans who filed a joint petition against the NFL franchise with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in 2009. The petition called for the cancellation of six…

Innovation is critical to staying competitive in a global marketplace. It’s what keeps our economy moving—driving the growth of jobs with better wages and creating a higher standard of living for all. For most of the 20th century, the U.S. has been the worldwide leader in innovation. In 2010, however,…

Trademark owners should diligently protect their trademarks from infringement and other misuse (e.g., blurring, tarnishment, unfair competition, passing off, false advertising and cybersquatting) that may harm the owner’s goodwill and business reputation. A trademark owner is not required to uncover all uses that might conflict, or immediately commence a lawsuit…

For years, patent holders have utilized the strategy of suing on patent infringement claims as a means of profitability. However, recent trends in court rulings and proceedings have demonstrated that in the fast-growing technology sector, patent litigation may not be worth the time, effort and costs. One such case involves…