Purpose of trademark Law

o   Protects your brand

o   Name, logo, etc.

Non-functional image/appearance

o   Distinctive unique appearance, serves no purpose (just image)

§  Ex: the coca-cola bottle

• State (TM)
• Federal ®

§  Fast

§  Cheaper

§  Protects only within state

§  TM super script used at the end of name

§  Protects you across the U.S.

§  More expensive

§  Takes up to 18 months

§  ® can be used only when federally issued

o   Sounds like

o   Meaning (including international)

o   Appearance

o   Similarity

• Fanciful
• Arbitrary
• Descriptive
• Generic

• Provides greatest level of protection
• occurs when a word is made up

o   Two words with zero connection that are paired together

§  Ex: apple computers

Divisions:

§  Item explains the product

 ú Ex: Shake n’ Bake

§  name

Taking away all money associated with funds gained from knockoff

·      Police your mark

·      Keep licensees to your standards

• Utility
• Design
• Plants

• New
• useful
• non obvious
• Covers anything that is functional, serves as a purpose

o   Protects design (artistry) not the function

o   Good for 14 years

o   Not renewable

o   Under $400 to register

Exclusive right to:

• make
• sell
• use

Something that:

o   Derives its own value as secret

o   Ascertainable by proper means (Has a method)

o   Subject to reasonable security precautions

·      Vendor/customer database

·      Network contacts

·      Future projects

·      Method or technique

·      Marketing plans

·      Trade secret exists

·      Acquired illegally or via a confidential relationship

·      Unauthorized use of secret

o   legal for trade secrets

o   Illegal for patents

·      Ensure that employees do not bring “illegal” secrets

·      Safeguard & limit access to information

·      Non-compete & nondisclosure agreements

·      Exit agreements

·      Value

·      Law (original & fixed in tangible medium)

·      Protections (Life + 70)

·      Owner is original creator unless otherwise noted/contract

·      Original

·      Has to be fixed 

·      Has to be in a tangible medium

·      Literary

·      Dramatic

·      Pantomimes & choreography

·      Pictorial, graphic & sculptural

·      Motion pictures & audiovisual works

·      Architectural works

·      Musical works

·      Sound recordings

·      Ideas

·      Useful items

·      Invention, method or process

·      Facts

·      Names, titles, short phrases

·      Public domain, expired copyrights, forfeited copyrights

·      Dedicated works

·      Typefaces*

o   Federal notice

o   Easier identification of copyright owner

o   Enforcement tools – access to court, statutory damages & attorneys’ fees

1. Reproduction
2. adaptation
3. publication
4. performance
5. display

Need to show

o   Access

o   Similarities

o   Lay observers

Defenses to infringement

·      Attack ownership of copyright

·      Attack access

·      Attack similarities

·      Fair use

·      Merger doctrine

·      De minimis

·      Estoppel – justifiable reliance

·      Unclean hands

·      Writ of seizure - 10% bond of value

·      Injections - Orders to stop

·      Damages

·      Impounding & destroying infringing articles

·      Attorney fees

·      Criminal prosecution

·      Fraudulent application = criminal fine

·      Register

·      Cease & desist letter

·      ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution

·      Settlement & release

·      Litigation