Safeguard Your Brand: Why Small Business Owners in NYC Should Consider Trademark Protection

Cari Rincker Business/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property 1 Comment

In the bustling and competitive landscape of New York City, small business owners and entrepreneurs face numerous challenges. Building a unique brand that stands out in the crowd is no easy task, but it is essential for success. One powerful tool that can help safeguard your brand identity is securing a trademark. Whether it’s a word mark or a design …

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Topics in Copyright Law: Cease and Desist Letters, Fair Use, and Plagiarism

Cari Rincker Intellectual Property Leave a Comment

For an introduction to copyright law, see my previous blog post on Copyright Law: Six Common Questions and Answers.  This blog continues to build on the subject of copyright law, exploring three additional topics: Cease and Desist Letters, the Fair Use Exemption, and Plagiarism. What is a Cease and Desist Letter? A Cease and Desist Letter is used in copyright …

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Copyright Law: Six Common Questions and Answers

Cari Rincker Intellectual Property Leave a Comment

Intellectual property law is confusing, to say the least.  Trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets – oftentimes attorneys themselves can hardly distinguish between these concepts.  In an attempt to chip away at the mystery that is intellectual property, this blog answers six common questions about copyright law. What kind of work can be copyrighted? Copyright law protects works of authorship that …

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The Importance of Protecting Your Intellectual Property in Illinois

Rincker Law Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Trademarks Leave a Comment

As any innovator or creator knows, protecting your intellectual property is vitally important to your success. Doing so can help ensure that your creations and hard work are protected. The first step in protecting your intellectual property in Illinois is to be informed of the different types of ways you can protect your intellectual property. The next step is to …

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Strategies for Protecting Your Business’s Intellectual Property

Rincker Law Business/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property Leave a Comment

Before launching a business, entrepreneurs spend a substantial amount of time and money researching and developing their products or services. You may have worked with graphic designers and a marketing team to create a brand name and logo for your products or services. As the business grows and your products or services take off in the marketplace, competitors or counterfeiters …

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Four Things Business Owners Should Know about Trademark Infringement

Rincker Law Business/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Trademarks Leave a Comment

Against the backdrop of globalization and the expansion of online business activity, trademark infringement is on the rise. Most elements of business branding—name, logo, design—are readily available online, making it easier for people to knowingly or unknowingly use the intellectual property of others. As a business owner, you must prioritize both protecting your own trademarks and avoiding infringement of others’ …

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Ask Stephanie: What are the Right to Privacy Concerns Facing Livestock Photographers?

Rincker Law Food & Ag Law, Intellectual Property Leave a Comment

There are four major types of privacy law: unreasonable intrusion upon seclusion, unreasonable revelation of private facts, unreasonably placing another person in a false light; and, misappropriation of a person’s name or likeness. Intrusion: One who intentionally intrudes, physically or otherwise, upon the solitude or seclusion of another or his private affairs or concerns, is subject to liability to the …

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Ask Stephanie: What Trademark Issues Apply to Livestock Photographers?

Rincker Law Intellectual Property, Trademarks Leave a Comment

The U.S. Trademark office states that a trademark is “a word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, use or intended to be used to identify and distinguish the good/services of one seller or provider from those of others, and to indicate the source of the goods/services.” Trademarks may either be on a mark or image. In order for something to …

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Ask Cari: What Laws Affect Agriculture and Livestock Photographers / Videographers?

Rincker Law Copyrights, Food & Ag Law, Intellectual Property, Trademarks Leave a Comment

Here is a presentation that I did on the topic for an upcoming lecture at Purdue on the topic: Laws that Apply to Agriculture Photographers and Videographers from Cari Rincker

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Ask Stephanie: What Copyright Issues Affect Agriculture Photographers and Videographers?

Rincker Law Copyrights, Intellectual Property Leave a Comment

A copyright gives the creator of a literary, artistic, musical, or other creative work the sole right to publish and sell that work. This work includes photographs and in fact according to the Federal Copyright Act of 1976, photographs are copyright protected the moment they are created. It is not necessary to formally register a copyright, however it may be …

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Business Trademarks: What’s Really in a Name?

Rincker Law Business/Commercial Law, Intellectual Property, Trademarks Leave a Comment

 If you’re thinking of starting a business (or already have a business in the works), make sure that the name you use is not already taken.  Original names are essential for three reasons:  marketing power, clarity, and trademark infringement avoidance.  For example, if you’ve decided to open a coffee shop, it’s fairly easy to determine that the name “Starbucks” is …

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4 Social Media Mistakes that May Put Your Company’s IP at Risk

Rincker Law Business/Commercial Law, Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Trademarks Leave a Comment

Being active on social media is hardly a choice anymore for small to medium sized businesses—it’s a given.  After all, your customers are there.  Connecting with your target audience in the social web can boost your brand and level the playing field between you and big competitors with larger advertising budgets.  But before you rush out to tweet a deal …

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