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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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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Episode 13 of Ag Law Today: Copyrights

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Hear me talk all things copyright law with New York intellectual property attorney Laura Winston on this week’s episode of Ag Law Today.  Such an important area of the law for everyone but especially for livestock photographers, food entrepreneurs and agri-business owners.

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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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Are Your Trade Secrets Really Safe? 4 Steps To Safeguard Your Competitive Edge

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

A trade secret is a piece of information which is confidential, can be legally protected, and gives your company a competitive edge.  Lots of the most famous examples involve recipes: the formula for Coca Cola, McDonald’s Big Mac “secret sauce”, or that Mrs. Field’s chocolate chip cookie recipe that caused such a legal stir in the 90s.  But you don’t …

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