Lawsuits can be confusing for people who have never been involved in one previously. A lawyer who is a good communicator can explain the four different phases of a lawsuit, so that the client has a general roadmap of the process. 1. Pleading Phase A lawsuit is initiated when the plaintiff files a lawsuit. Each…

Most domain name disputes can be handled through a quick and inexpensive process called “UDRP arbitration.” UDRP (Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy) is administered by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the primary agency in charge of regulating domain names. ICANN requires all ICANN-accredited domain name registrars to follow the UDRP procedures. [See http://www.icann.org/en/udrp/udrp.htm.]Subsequently,…

Domain name owners frequently open their mail to find a letter from a law firm representing a trademark owner. These letters – called “cease and desist letters” by lawyers – demand that the domain name owner stop using the domain name, transfer the domain name to the trademark owner, and provide information about the dates of use…

Trademark, Copyright or Patent? Non-lawyers – and even many lawyers – are confused about what type of intellectual property protection is needed. You have something great . . . a software program, music, a name for your product or service, an invention or a logo. Do you apply for a patent? A copyright? A trademark? Something else? Let’s…