An Unlikely Ally in the Fight Against Intellectual Property Infringement: Customs & Border Patrol

One of the largest scourges in the intellectual property world is counterfeit goods.  Counterfeiting is a form of infringement whereby a third party unlawfully uses another party’s intellectual property to sell their own product and pockets the profits. Infringement takes many forms, from bootleg movies to fake Louis Vuitton handbags to counterfeit Ray-Ban sunglasses to pseudo-Viagra. Much of this infringement Read More

Yes, You Do Need an Operating Agreement! Here’s Why:

“Yes, Virginia, You Do Need an Operating Agreement” will probably never become a blockbuster movie, but it is still good advice if you are going to form or have formed the most popular type of business entity - the Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). LLCs owe their popularity to their combination of the limited liability afforded to corporations with the tax benefits and flexibility of a partnership. LLC owners are Read More

Using Non-Disclosure Agreements to Preserve Patentability

Our website analytics tell us this is one of our most popular articles. If you think we might be able to help you or your business, email info@clark.law and mention this article for a complimentary 30-minute consultation. Patents are a highly sought after form of intellectual property for good reason: they allow the inventor or discoverer of a new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter Read More

Business Law: A Brief Introduction to Vendor Contracts

Our website analytics tell us this is one of our most popular articles. If you think we might be able to help you or your business, email info@clark.law and mention this article for a complimentary 30-minute consultation. Just about everybody who does some form of business has vendors. Even vendors have vendors. That’s why it is critically important for business owners to understand the basics of vendor contracts Read More

How Much Money Does Your Company Need to Launch and Survive?

Funding a new business is one of the most misunderstood and hotly debated topics within the entrepreneurial community. It seems like almost any rule is accompanied by an exception. One school of thought is that you need a ton of cash upfront. On the other hand, given the failure rate of new businesses, startup dollars are frequently spent with nothing to show for them.  Others believe a shoestring budget is all that Read More

Understanding the Difference Between Actual Use and Intent to Use Trademarks

Our website analytics tell us this is one of our most popular articles. If you think we might be able to help you or your business, email info@clark.law and mention this article for a complimentary 30-minute consultation. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) requires use of a mark in commerce in the United States before the mark can be registered. When the Lanham Act (the federal law that Read More

Trademark Law: The Madrid Protocol

While “Madrid Protocol” sounds like the name of a great spy novel or a new wave band from the 80s, it is in fact a treaty that allows applicants to search and register trademarks internationally. So if you have a United States trademark registration (or intend to get one) and your business is expanding into other countries, the information in this article is relevant to you. The Protocol Relating to the Madrid Read More

What do those Intellectual Property Symbols Actually Mean?

The litany of alphabet letters that sometimes accompany trademarks used in commerce can be particularly confusing, even for the users. The task becomes even more difficult when copyright symbols are factored in. Here’s a handy guide to deciphering the little subscripted letters next to trademarks and copyrights. Trademarks There are three symbols that are used for trademarks: ™, SM, and ®.  We’ll start with ® first Read More

How are State-Based Trademark Applications Different from Federal Applications?

One unique aspect of trademarks that sets them apart from other types of intellectual property is that they are registrable at both the federal and state level. Copyrights and patents are only registrable at the federal level because they originate directly from the U.S. Constitution. Thus, only the federal government has the authority to issue these rights. Trademark protection, on the other hand, does not arise Read More

5 Things Angel Investors Look for in New Companies

Angel investors are typically wealthy individuals who seek to invest capital in and offer guidance to startups. Often angel investors are former entrepreneurs or successful businesspeople themselves, and are looking for a potentially significant return on their investment. Angels are picky about choosing the startups they will invest in, and for good reason. Successful startups can produce exponential returns for Read More