Estate Planning for Real Estate Families
For families that have accumulated substantial wealth through real estate, estate planning presents challenges that are fundamentally different from those facing families whose wealth consists primarily of marketable securities.
Beyond Registration:The Changing Landscape of U.S. Trademark Protection
A company's trademarks are often among its most valuable assets. A name, logo, slogan, product configuration, or other source identifier can embody years of goodwill and become inseparable from the reputation of the business itself. Yet many businesses still approach trademark protection as a discrete administrative task: select a name, file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO"), obtain a registration, and move on.
When Packaging Becomes a Trademark: Van Leeuwen’s $23.8 Million Trade Dress Victory Against Rebel Creamery
A recent federal court decision involving two ice cream brands offers a significant reminder that trademark protection can extend well beyond a company’s name and logo—and that the overall appearance of product packaging can become a valuable, enforceable intellectual property asset.