International Intellectual Property Legal Blog
New rules for deals with China highlight the need for licensing
International trade is at the heart of the technology industry, but changing tides is the constant price. Handling shifts in the landscape can be a demanding requirement for doing business on the world stage. The equipment used for creating computer components earns...
Who needs to sign non-disclosure agreements?
Knowledge is power. Sharing what you know might be essential for growing your business, but it’s best to keep that information under strict control. Protection can come from carefully drafted agreements, but it’s crucial to know how to apply them. Trade secret theft...
How contracts can protect you when licensing intellectual property
Licensing-for-use agreements can be a boon for business, but owners of the related intellectual property can maximize their earnings with careful consideration of how these contracts are worded. Drafting a strong licensing contract could offer better protection for...
What makes something a trade secret?
Successful businesses have their "secret sauce" that helps them thrive. If they want to remain profitable, they must keep those secrets out of the hands of competitors. Numerous laws in the U.S. allow businesses to protect intellectual property. However, some...
Can businesses protect their processes without a patent?
Sound products make companies profitable. And while companies can patent those products, companies typically can't patent the processes used to create them. However, keeping production methods and processes out of competitors’ hands is crucial for continued success....
Adidas loses trademark fight with Belgian shoe company
German sportswear company Adidas lost another trademark battle. According to a recent report, an EU court labeled its three-stripe design as "not distinct enough." This comes after a long-running legal dispute between Adidas and Belgian sportswear company, Shoe...
Protecting intellectual property in the age of remote work
The recent pandemic is uprooting American life as we know it. Luckily, since many companies do their work digitally, transitioning to a work-from-home setting is easier than ever before. But with more flexibility comes greater responsibility. That’s because trade...
Drafting vendor agreements that protect IP
Vendors play a crucial role in all kinds of business projects. In the globalized economy, they can help maintain strong relationships, improve cost efficiency and expand a company's reach in a fast-growing and competitive market. While using vendors comes with...
Accounting for encumbrances on intellectual property
Many mergers and acquisitions are based on the acquiring party’s ability to exploit any intellectual property associated with the deal. This is particularly true for business owners in the technology and digital space, where well-protected, vetted IP can be the...
How new businesses fail to protect their IP
Your intellectual property (IP) lies at the heart of your new business. Without it, your business won’t stand out in the market and you will have nothing to differentiate yourself from your competitors. With IP so vitally important, why do so many new businesses fail...
