law firm personal injury
Build a stronger California injury claim with 4 key legal tests, evidence tips, deadline guidance, damage insights, and a practical law firm checklist.
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Intellectual Property Law Category
This category features intellectual property legal insights, commentary, and educational content from The Sterling Firm. Posts published here address topics such as trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and intellectual property strategy in an informational context, without serving as a substitute for legal advice or firm service pages.
Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) Takedown Notice Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Digital Millennium Copyright Act DMCA Takedown Notice? The DMCA Takedown Notice is made pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) which is a United States copyright law that implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It criminalizes production and dissemination of technology, devices, or services intended to
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How To Protect Your Content On Social Media?
Steps To Protect Your Content On Social Media There are a few steps you can take to protect your content on social media that you post: Use Copyright Notices. If you are concerned about the unauthorized use of your content, you can use a copyright notice to inform others that the content is protected by
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Trademark Protection
Do You Want Trademark Protection For Your Business? Your trademark protection is a valuable asset to your business. It represents your brand and distinguishes you from your competitors. The legal rights that come with having a registered trademark are essential to your long-lasting success in the marketplace. Consider how to protect your trademark with these
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Copyrights and Trademarks Differences
BUSINESS LAW TIP: COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS As a creative or a business entrepreneur, you must protect your mental labor and creations. The area of law that offers this type of protection is known as Intellectual Property, and this consists of Copyrights and Trademarks. Copyrights and trademarks are completely different in terms of the protection they
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Website Legal Notices
Do You Know The Legal Significance Of The Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, & Disclaimer? It is important to work with a lawyer! Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, & Disclaimer are the three most important legal documents you must have on your website. The privacy policy statement declares how a website collects, handles, & processes
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Color As A Trademark
Question: Can A Color Be Protected As A Trademark? Short Answer: Yes, color can be trademark protected in the United States. Until the 1980’s, the U.S. trademark law refused to recognize a single color as a brand. Since then, it can serve as a source identifier of your goods or services so long as it
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Copyright Law Tip
Do You Want To Protect Your Creative Works? Copyright is intellectual property which protects the right to “copy”. The owner of a copyrighted work has the exclusive legal right to copy, use, & permit others to use the work. In other words, copyright is the exclusive legal right given to an originator or an assignee
Fair Use Factors – Business Law Tip
Intellectual Property Legal Tip: Fair Use Factor Who Out There Needs To Use Other People’s Work In Their New Creations? Do You Know How To Apply “Fair Use”? DYK The Fair Use Doctrine allows you to use other’s copyrighted work! Factor The Nature Of The Work The nature of the work being used is just
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Trademark Symbol
Do You Know How To Protect Your Business? Do You Know What Is A Trademark And The Use Of Symbol? Did you know that you can only use the symbol consistent of an “R” with a circle once you registered your trademark with the USPTO. You can identify your work using the symbol ™ without
USPTO Trademark Protection
Trademark Law Tip: Conduct A Search With The USPTO Do not get too attached to your business, product or brand name, before you do a thorough trademark search. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) keeps a database of every trademark which has been registered or applied for. Before you apply for registration of
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Brand Name Differs From Company Name
Question: Can Your Brand Name Be Different From Your Company’s Name? The answer is “YES”! Registering your business name means getting permission from the state government to open & operate a business as per the state laws. You must register your business with the specific Secretary of State to allow your business the protection of that
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Legal Issues For Your Business
Are Legal Issues Coming Up For Your Business? There are many professional services that you should know if you are running a business and need to set up your operation systems. Systems are important. “S.Y.S.T.E.M.” can be a acronym that stands for “Save Yourself Stress Time Energy and Money”. There are very useful services for
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Trademark Domain Name?
USPTO vs. Booking.com: Whether a “.com” can transform a generic mark into a registrable trademark under the Lanham Act? The United States Supreme Court has had several cases that have a major impact. Both of which are on trademark law and intellectual property protection strategy for brand owners. One of these cases, USPTO vs. Booking.com,
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Trademark Modernization Act
TRADEMARK LAW UPDATE: Trademark Modernization Act The Trademark Modernization Act Establishes New Trademark Cancellation Procedures ~ On December 27, 2020, the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (“the Act”) became law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Among other changes, the Act includes important amendments to the Lanham Act: Establishes two new ex parte
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Legal Issues In Telling Real Life Stories
Life Story Agreements QUESTION: If I want to talk about John Kennedy having Marilyn Monroe as a mistress, or talk about what life in my family was like growing up, don’t I have a right to do that? (Rights other people have to privacy, to control the exploitation of their name, to defend against libel
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What Is Trademark Infringement?
Trademark infringement can have serious implications for your business. Understanding the “likelihood of confusion” test is crucial in protecting your brand. Did you know that you don’t need a trademark registration for infringement to occur? The key question is whether consumers are likely to confuse your trademark with another. Factors such as the strength of the mark, proximity of goods, and evidence of actual confusion play a significant role in these cases. If you suspect infringement, a Cease and Desist Notice may be your first step. Discover how to safeguard your rights and navigate the complexities of trademark law with expert guidance.
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Legal Requirements To Tell True Life Stories
QUESTION: If I want to tell a true story, what should I do first, second, third? Legal requirements to tell true life stories. (Consult with an experienced entertainment Attorney before you write the story if you are the writer and before you produce the project if they are a producer. Errors and Omissions Insurance will
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What Is A Life Story Rights Agreement?
Terms Of The Life Story Rights Agreement (1) Extent Of The Rights: Whether the agreement will include creating remakes, sequels, television series, merchandising, novelization, live-stage rights and radio rights; whether the story is limited to only a particular time period of the individual’s life; and whether the rights worldwide or limited in geography. Typically, the
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How Can I Tell A True Life Story?
QUESTION: So other people have rights that have to protect, but people do tell these stories all the time. Sometimes the stories say Person X killed Person Y, or Person A had an affair with Person B that destroyed a family. How Can I Tell A True Life Story? How do these people get away
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