Categories
Business Law Trademarks

What Can An Advisory Opinion Do For You?

Last month, it was reported that prominent children’s store, Toys R Us, would be going after the trademark application filed by up-and-coming hair salon and boutique, Hair Are Us. On March 17, 2014, the popular hair extension business based out of Atlanta, Georgia –with additional locations in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California – filed […]

Categories
Copyright

Judge Rules ‘Happy Birthday’ Belongs To The People

For those in fear of violating Title 17 of the United States Code the next time they attend a friend’s birthday party, you are now in luck. This past Tuesday, United States District Judge George H. King ruled that Warner Music Group’s (“Warner/Chappell”) claim of copyright in the song “Happy Birthday” was legally ineffective, therefore […]

Categories
Sports Law

What Attorney General Maura Healey’s Review Could Mean for Daily Fantasy Sports

It was recently announced that Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey will be reviewing the legality behind DraftKings – the Boston, Massachusetts based daily fantasy sports operator known as one of the leaders behind the ever-evolving daily fantasy sports industry. This review comes on the heels of United States Representative Frank Pallone requesting a committee hearing […]

Categories
Sports Law

New Jersey Requests En Banc Hearing Of Sports Betting Decision

As expected, this past week the state of New Jersey – along with the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association – formally filed its request for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear arguments in the recently decided sports betting case.  This Gaming Law issue comes on the heels of the state’s 2-1 defeat in […]

Categories
Sports Law Trademarks

The Importance Of Athlete Trademark Protection

Recently, former San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills linebacker, Shawne Merriman, and his company, Lights Out Holdings, LLC, moved for summary judgment in their fight to prohibit Nike from using or associating with Merriman’s nickname, “Lights Out.” In the motion, Merriman seeks up to $18 million in statutory damages, in addition to attorneys’ fees and […]

Categories
Sports Law

Looking At Appealing Denial Of NFLPA Contract Advisor Certification

The mandatory seminar and exam for those attempting to fulfill their childhood dreams of becoming a National Football League Players’ Association (NFLPA) Contract Advisor – more commonly known as an NFL player agent – was held on July 24-25. Now, roughly eight weeks later, many hopefuls are beginning to learn whether or not they achieved […]

Categories
Contracts Sports Law

Morals Clauses: Who’s The Judge?

Companies take on an extreme amount of risk when contracting with professional athletes and/or celebrities to endorse their products. As soon as both sides are able to come to a mutual understanding regarding the terms and conditions that will be contained in the agreement, the athlete immediately becomes a spokesperson serving as one of the […]

Categories
Intellectual Property

The Benefits Of Intellectual Property Holding Companies

In the eyes of the law, a properly formed and maintained limited liability business structure is a separate entity or “person” from its owners and employees[1]. This legal benefit allows for the limited liability of individuals who seek to invest, start up, or become a part of the business structure. Consequently, in the event the […]

Categories
Copyright Entertainment Law

The Importance of Music Publishing Companies

Music publishing companies are extremely valuable to the future of recording artists and groups in the music industry. Most artists are typically concerned about securing their first major recording deal with a top label; as a result, they fail to see the importance behind obtaining or forming a publishing company. There are many record labels […]

Categories
Sports Law Trademarks

The Importance of Association

For BYU fans hoping to make use of apparel sporting the university’s football team’s slogan for the upcoming 2014 season, unfortunately, you are out of luck. This past week, BYU officials discontinued sale of merchandise containing the slogan “Rise As One,” removing the items from store shelves and online listings. The discontinuation of BYU’s use […]