Author Archives: mwillee

The world of copyrights has been an endless well of information and complex issues that never stay out of the courts. And out of all business entities that take those issues to the courts, the entertainment industry has been there countless times. While that has never really ended, could there be a new watchdog groupContinue reading “RightsCorp: A Possible Solution to Online Copyright Infringement”

Intellectual property (IP) is the untapped potential of a business that, if left unharnessed, is completely wasted, but when properly managed can be a goldmine. Yet time and again startups and entrepreneurs, despite having a basic understanding of IP, tend to avoid creating an effective IP strategy. An average startup with financial constraints will notContinue reading “Intellectual Property Best Practices: 10 Steps to Maximize Your IP”

Trade secret lawsuits are not uncommon, but a recent lawsuit has caught the attention of the mainstream media. Louis Vuitton North America has gone to court in New York, alleging that a former VP transferred sensitive files from her company laptop onto external storage devices before resigning to take a position with Coach, a luxuryContinue reading “Louis Vuitton Goes to Court with Lawsuit Over Trade Secrets”

If you don’t know what an internet meme is, let me first congratulate you on living what is most likely an emotionally healthy and self-actualized life. For the rest of us who plumb the depths of the internet daily, we know that a meme is a type of shorthand to express a certain reaction, rangingContinue reading “Company Files Trademark Related To Internet Meme”

  SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform founded in 2007 by two Swedish artists, and has since gained over 250 million users. This German company initially started as a means for new artists to share their music, receive feedback, and communicate with their fans, but is expanding to include popular mainstream artists as well.Continue reading “Copyrights in Technology: SoundCloud Equity Deal to License Music”

Previously in our Traklight Trakers series, we introduced to you Ashley Hoesktra. Today’s feature is Maddie. Emily: What did you learn about IP before you started at Traklight?Maddie: I’ve never learned much past some experiences here and there where copyright infringement suits affect what I’m able and unable to view online, and how some companies areContinue reading “Meet Maddie, Traklight’s Marketing Specialist”

Trademark protection is region specific. No matter how well-known a product is in a particular market, when it expands into new domain, there is no guarantee you will be able to use the same name. The hit TV show Glee was recently ordered by a UK court to change its name after Comic Enterprises, ownerContinue reading “Glee Not Happy about Losing Trademark Dispute in Britain”

Steve Jobs was secretive about what Apple did, and for good reason. There are people out there who would like to steal your intellectual property (IP)–competitors who would love to emulate what you have spent years to create or mold into the business idea that you own. Don’t give them that chance; it’s up toContinue reading “Using Copyright Law to Protect Intellectual Property”

Last week’s Traklight on Forbes series highlighted four fantastic tips on a startup’s most valuable assets in her blog titled “Summer Refresher: ABCs Of Intellectual Property.”  Check back every week for more content. Thanks for reading! In response to the recent New York Times article, “Why More Start-Ups Are Sharing Ideas Without Legal Protection,” Mary notes thatContinue reading “Forbes Update: Should Startups Really Skip Legal Protection?”

Previously in our Intellectual Property (IP) Best Practices series, we introduced step four to managing your IP: code of conduct. Please check back every Monday for the next step in this series. Some information is best kept limited to certain key employees. The more employees that have access to intellectual property (IP), the higher theContinue reading “IP Best Practices: Limit Access to Sensitive Information, Step 5”