Categories
Contractual Issues

Athletes, Morality Clauses, and Social Media

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. A morals/morality clause is a provision within a contract, which holds a party to a certain behavioral standard. Generally, athletes and actors will see this type of clause in endorsement contracts with various businesses. Recently, a lawsuit filed on behalf of Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall against […]

Categories
Copyright Intellectual Property

Courts Demand Detailed Plan For Expedited Discovery In BitTorrent Copyright Infringement Cases

There does not seem to be any decrease in the number of defendants accused of engaging in copyright infringement through the use of BitTorrent, a peer-to-peer file sharing program.  However, courts continue to show a reluctance to give plaintiffs, in those cases, all the tools they wish to use in an effort to squeeze every single […]

Categories
Negligence

A Look Down the Road for Robert Griffin III: Lawsuit Against the Redskins?

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. The term “Gross Negligence” was mentioned in a recent article written by the TheBigLead.com. This term was in reference to the Washington Redskins Head Coach, Mike Shanahan playing Robert Griffin III (RGIII) in the playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. Robert Griffin initially injured his knee during a […]

Categories
Intellectual Property Trademarks

It Is Tricky To Trademark A Vulgar Term Or Phrase

Have a scandalous mark that you wish to get protected for statutory purposes through filing an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)?  Make sure to think long and hard before spending the time and money filing that application. The USPTO defines scandalous material as “shocking to the sense of truth, decency or […]

Categories
Negligence

Jason Terry Sues Financial Advisors for Allegedly Costing him $2-4 Million

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Jason Terry has filed a 24-page complaint in Federal Court against former financial advisor William C. Crafton. Terry has also named Suntrust Bank, Martin Kelly Capital Management, Adam Fein, and CSI Capital Management as Defendants in the complaint. The complaint states that Terry’s financial advisors cost him […]

Categories
Intellectual Property

3-Dimensional Printing and its Patent Implications

The following is a guest contribution by David Greene, Esq. of Greene and Greene, Attorneys at Law. In the last year or so, I have been hearing a lot about a newish technology known as 3D printing. Before this past year, these printers were expensive, but lately have come down in price to the point of […]

Categories
NCAA Violations

New NCAA Rule Incorporates Doctrine of Vicarious Liability to Head Coaches

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Starting October 30, 2012, the NCAA will implement a new rule with regards to Head Coach’s responsibilities. The specific rule is NCAA Division I Bylaw 11.1.2.1, which will state: “An institution’s head coach is presumed to be responsible for the actions of all assistant coaches and administrators […]

Categories
Uncategorized

“Take a Page Out of Little League” – It’s Time for Major League Baseball to Implement Instant Replay Challenges

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. In game two of the ALCS, Detroit Tigers’ Omar Infante overran second base and was desperately trying to dive back to the bag. New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano applied the tag to Infante and clearly tagged him before Infante could even get remotely close to […]

Categories
Cyber Law

Cybersquatters in Professional Sports

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Cybersquatting is the registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with the bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. The cybersquatter typically offers to sell a domain to a person or company who owns a trademark contained within the […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Through the Eyes of Compliance: Q & A with Santa Clara’s Associate Athletic Director

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. During my 3L year of law school, I had an externship with Jacksonville University’s Athletic Compliance office. I had no idea what to expect coming in. During my collegiate basketball career, I never paid attention to the compliance directors, just like most of the other athletes. I […]