How to Choose a Strong Trademark
What is a strong trademark? The main thing to know about a strong trademark is that it gets a lot of trademark protection. (Compared to a weak trademark, which isn’t as protectable.) Put differently, a strong trademark is not “cooler” than a weak trademark, it’s just easier to police and protect. So how do you … Continue reading →
Four Contracts Every Entrepreneur Should Know About
Short ‘n’ sweet, and in plain English, this post digs into four contracts every entrepreneur should know about, their purpose, and common terms to look out for.
And Now for Year Four
Wow! It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that Spear IP celebrates its third anniversary this month. Here’s a look back at the great opportunities year three brought with it, and a peek at what’s in store for year number four.
Does Copyright Law Apply to My Business?
You’re vaguely familiar with the concept of copyright law. It’s for fine artists — musicians, painters, filmmakers — right? Yes, but copyright law can apply to so much more. This post is a quick review of what copyright law protects and some of the non-traditional content that might fall under the umbrella of copyright protection.
What the SCOTUS Sales Tax Ruling Really Means
Last week (specifically, on Thursday, June 21, 2018), the Supreme Court ruled on a South Dakota law relating to the collection of sales tax for online purchases. Cue a frenzy of brands and online retailers trying to decipher what this SCOTUS sales tax ruling really means. Here’s a breakdown of the decision.
Client Query: How Do I Know If the GDPR Applies to Me?
You’ve noticed it, right? You’ve gotten bombarded with emails from all of the different services that you use. Pinterest, Etsy, GoDaddy, Instagram, Slack…they’re all updating their terms of service to reflect new privacy practices. But why? If you’re any sort of online entrepreneur, you know the answer. It’s the General Data Protection Regulation (or “GDPR”) … Continue reading →
Protecting Your Pod[cast]: The Podcast Guest Contract
There’s so much anticipation and planning that goes into launching a podcast. The name, the graphics, the episode lineup… all of these things are the “fun part.” A Podcast Guest Contract might be the furthest thing from your mind. But what’s not fun? Getting into a legal tiff with a podcast guest. That’s why you … Continue reading →
Don’t Believe This Copyright Lie
Here’s the number one copyright lie you need to forget. Immediately. (And the truth, which you’d do well to remember.)
The Difference Between a Work for Hire and an Assignment
What’s the difference between a work for hire and an assignment, and why is it important? It comes up in the context of copyright protection. If something was created as a true work for hire, it matters. Things like the length of copyright protection and — gasp — termination can come into play if you’re … Continue reading →
My #ShopLocal #SupportSmall Wishlist
It’s the most wonderful time of the year — especially for independent brands! While the rest of the year might present fewer opportunities to get eyes on your products, the holiday season provides opportunities for more traffic (of both the in-person and online variety). Me? I’ve put together my own little #shoplocal #supportsmall wishlist, just … Continue reading →
IP and Thinking About Your Exit Strategy
Whether you’re a brand owner or a future brand owner, you start to do a gut check this time of year. The soon-to-be brand owner? She starts her engines and gears up to launch her business. The existing brand owner? He does a review; thinking through how the previous year went. What to both types … Continue reading →
Opening a Food Truck? 4 Crucial Legal Steps
Thinking about opening a food truck? Why not. The mobile food scene has been growing, drawing lines of hungry tourists and locals alike to many food truck windows. It’s a great way to test a restaurant concept prior to opening a brick-and-mortar location. Here are some legal steps to think through before opening your own … Continue reading →