The Polaroid Doctrine, which is a fundamental concept in United States trademark law, was established by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This doctrine emerged from the 1961 case of Polaroid Corp. v. Polarad Elecs. Corp., where the court developed a set of factors to assess the likelihood of consumer confusion in trademark infringement cases....
Continue reading
Today, we're going to talk about the doctrine of work for hire in copyright law. Often, there can be situations where you think you own a copyright because the work was made for hire for you or your production company. But, in fact, contrary to what the contract states, you might own nothing. Let's explore the caveats and ways to solve this problem. Many think that just because they have a contract with artists and have paid for the work, they own the copyrights. Let's say you own a film production company and you've hired a screenwriter to write a screenplay....
Continue reading
Trademark clearance is a critical step for screenwriters to protect their work and avoid legal entanglements. By understanding what needs to be cleared, avoiding certain words, and following best practices, screenwriters can navigate these legal waters with greater confidence and security. Always remember, when in doubt, seek legal advice to ensure that your creative work remains both original and compliant....
Continue reading
Each of these distribution deals offers distinct advantages and challenges, tailored to the varying needs of a film's production and marketing strategy. The choice of a deal is influenced by factors such as the film's budget, target audience, market trends, and the reputation of the involved parties. As the film industry continues to evolve with digital technologies and changing viewer habits, these distribution models also adapt, reflecting the dynamic nature of film distribution in the global market....
Continue reading
The use of design patents in the fashion industry is an effective strategy for protecting the aesthetic elements of fashion items. These patents not only help in combating counterfeits but also play a significant role in maintaining a brand's exclusive identity and market control. As the fashion industry continues to innovate, design patents will remain a key tool for designers and brands to safeguard their creative investments and reinforce their unique presence in the competitive fashion market....
Continue reading
The strength of a trademark significantly impacts its protectability and effectiveness in identifying and distinguishing a brand. Generic trademarks offer no protection due to their commonality. Descriptive trademarks are protectable only after acquiring a secondary meaning. Suggestive trademarks, being more abstract, are inherently protectable. Arbitrary trademarks rank among the strongest due to their uniqueness and distinctiveness....
Continue reading
The key principle in federal copyright law is the distinction between an 'idea' and its 'expression'. This law protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves. For filmmakers, this means that while a general plot concept, like a romantic comedy set in New York or California, is not protected, the actual script with its unique dialogue, character development, and scene descriptions, is....
Continue reading
Unfortunately, if your film isn't produced by Netflix, it's likely to be buried in their content library, and the same applies to Amazon. These platforms typically don't actively market films unless they're labeled as Amazon or Netflix originals. While there are distribution companies that can place your film on Netflix, significant earnings are not guaranteed. From my experience with numerous films, Netflix is often where they go to die....
Continue readingIf your asylum case processing is experiencing delays or is possibly advancing to appeals in higher courts, it could be beneficial to consider alternative routes to obtaining a U.S. green card. For instance, you could consider marrying a U.S. citizen, securing a spot in the diversity visa lottery, or finding a U.S. employer to sponsor you....
Continue readingFinanciers and distributors are pivotal in transforming screenplays into cinematic realities. However, their support comes with a caveat: a strict adherence to legal assurances. Without a certificate of clearance, these entities fear the legal repercussions of copyright infringement, which can lead to costly lawsuits and project derailments. Hence, they typically refrain from financing projects lacking this essential document....
Continue reading
