201206.12
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When Using Crowd Funding, Consider IP Consequences

On Friday of last week, I attended a presentation hosted by Senator Michael Bennet regarding the future of crowd-funding. In April, President Obama signed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act, see full-text here.  Senator Bennet of Colorado, working with Senators Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, crafted an amendment to the…

201204.03
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Trademark and Trayvon Martin

Last week, I came across an article that reported on a number of trademark applications filed by the family of Trayvon Martin. A quick search of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office’s database reveals four trademark applications.  Of these four applications, two list Mr. Martin’s mother Sabrina Fulton as the mark owner.  Martin Joseph Markley,…

201201.30
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Protecting Your Business Concept: Pac-Man & Great Divide Style

Many people approach me with their new business concept and want to prevent others from copying their model. While non-disclosure agreements and trade secret laws provide some degree of protection, at least early on, it is practically impossible to prevent competition. I came across an article in the Westword from last March that perfectly illustrates…

201201.26
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Understanding Common Law Trademark Rights

The other week I was exchanging emails with a client regarding trademark registration.  The client obviously wanted to prevent another party from using their mark, or a mark that could be interpreted as being confusingly similar to their mark. In counseling the client, I advised that they already had common law trademark rights to their…

201201.23
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Review: CloudOn Microsoft Office for iPad

Last week I read a blurb about CloudOn’s new Microsoft Office app for iPad. I tested it over the weekend and really liked it. Unless you are making use of the Citrix app, or some other similar app, CloudOn’s product seems to be the most robust Microsoft Office app for iPad on the market. Previously,…

201201.11
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Got Anything Else Beside Denver State University?

Earlier this afternoon, I and many alumni of the University of Denver received an email from DU Chancellor Robert D. Coombe regarding a recent editorial in the Denver Post, here.  The issue: the ongoing process to find a new name for Metro State College, located here in Denver.  Metro State is motivated to change it’s…

201111.14
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Understanding CAM Charges in Commercial Leases

While my primary practice is Intellectual Property law, I have reviewed and negotiated commercial leases on behalf of several clients. When discussing a lease with my clients, I make sure that the client understands whether and how Common Area Maintenance Charges, or “CAM”, charges are assessed. CAM charges function in a similar manner to an…