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2 Min. Every 2 Years, Save $250
To save money, the State of California has stopped sending the biennial Statement of Information form that has to be filed, even if there is no change to any information. California corporation owners who in the past just filled out the form that they received may not know what to do, and this could be costly […]
These Origami Artists Won’t Fold
Bay Oak Law and Haims Valentino LLP have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against artist Sarah Morris, who used the crease patterns of at least six different origami artists. She did so without attribution or licenses.
What It Means to Be Your Consigliere
Contrary to popular perception, “consiglieres” date from times long before the 20th century. The term derives from the Latin “consiliarius” – a counselor. Every leader needs an advisor skilled in what the law requires – and what the law allows. Let’s start off with a few provisos. Bay Oak Law is a “classical” consigliere. It […]
Secure Your Routers! Redux
Without giving away too many details, we have been contacted by potential clients whose internet protocol information is being sought because it has been connected with illegal downloads of movies. However, these people only owned the wireless routers that were used to receive the movie; they did not download the movie themselves. Someone else downloaded […]
An NDA Can Save the Day
Bay Oak Law’s Laura Koch provides a timely reminder about the importance of Non-Disclosure Agreements: NOOK Lawsuit Demonstrates the Importance of Non-Disclosure Agreements Barnes & Noble, Inc. (B&N) has failed to persuade a federal judge to end a lawsuit regarding its NOOK® eReader. Spring Designs, Inc. claims that the corporate giant used its confidential information […]
Client Question: Does the US Gov’t Own Copyrights?
“Kim Vanderheiden of Painted Tongue Press, which does custom design invitations, business cards, and greeting cards, among many others, asks: “Does the US Government and/or its branches own intellectual property rights on its forms and publications?” As a general matter, the federal government has no copyrights. 17 USC 105 says that “Copyright protection under this […]
Get It In Writing
When I discuss contracts with Business of Media students at Ex’Pression College for the Digital Arts , I give them four words of wisdom that I hope will outlast their memories of me. I tell them I want them to whisper these four words, like Charles Foster Kane whispering, “Rosebud,” on their deathbed. If my […]
Investing in a Little Law
A big worry for stockbrokers about 15 years ago was the rise of the day trader, people who would trade stocks on their own account, paying a minimal charge for each trade. Stockbrokers feared this would be a disaster, but it proved to be a boon. Day traders, focused only on the next trade, were […]
Unfair? Maybe. But a Fair Use. And Fun.
Regardless of what you may feel about the intent, the execution of this remix is a fantastic illustration of how copyright’s fair use doctrine enlivens free speech today:
Client Question: Copyrighting Pictures of Buildings
The copyright in an architectural work that has been constructed does not include the right to prevent the making, distributing, or public display of pictures, paintings, photographs, or other pictorial representations of the work, if the building in which the work is embodied is located in or ordinarily visible from a public place.
