Episodes
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Video Blog: Lizzo tries to register 100% That Bitch as a trademark – denied at first, allowed in the end. Why?
The Patent and Trademark Office of the United States refused to register a Lizzo trademark application for “100% That Bitch” in apparel. The reason why is because a phrase/trademark has to function as a trademark. Taking a T-shirt and puting a phrase on top of it – we call that “ornamental use”....
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Anthony Verna Video Blog 37 – Thoughts Behind Trademark Damages
Here’s a lightly-edited transcript of the video blog: Hi, I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner, Verna Law, back for another video blog: We have some thoughts on trademark damages. If you are going into federal court and you are going to be a plaintiff, here are a couple of thoughts for you....
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Verna Law Video Blog 36: The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020
Lightly-edited transcript of the blog entry: Hi, I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner, Verna Law. Let’s talk a little bit about the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020. That’s right. Congress passed a COVID spending bill and tucked in some other legislation. Congress, you need to stop doing that!...
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Verna Law Video Blog 35: New Higher Fees at the USPTO for 2021
Hi, I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner, Verna Law. You can see us on the web at vernalaw.com. So 2021 is coming up – Happy New Year! That’s why we’re dressed casually: It’s the holiday season.! However, the patent and trademark office has said big changes come in 2021. Those big changes? New…
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Video Blog 34: Patent FAQ: Why Should I Seek Patent Protection?
Hi, I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner of Verna Law. We focus on intellectual property and advertising law, but I think you knew that already. Why should I seek patent protection? This is the Motherload question. Simply put, if you have a new and novel idea or invention, and it provides value to...
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Video Blog 33: Patent FAQ: Do I need a model or prototype?
Do you need a prototype in order to register a patent? A patent gives the patent owner exclusive rights to make, sell, or license the invention defined in it. Do You Need a Prototype to Patent a New Invention? Many inventors wonder if they need a working prototype before patenting an invention.…
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Video Blog 32: Trademark FAQ: How Can Someone Register a Descriptive Trademark?
Trademarks are meant to signify the source and quality of goods or services. Therefore, trademarks that are descriptive are relatively disfavored. How can someone register a descriptive trademark? I discuss in this video blog! Here is a lightly edited version of the transcript: Hi, I’m Anthony...
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Video Blog 31: Patent FAQ: Can I get a Patent on my Software Invention?
This is another video blog to go with our Patent Law FAQ – we hope you continue to enjoy our video blogs. Here is a lighted-edited transcript of the blog: Can I get a patent on my software? I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner of Verna Law, P.C, where we focus on intellectual property and...
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Video Blog 30 Patent FAQ: What is a Patent?
At Verna Law, P.C., we are doing a series of video blogs that coincide with our FAQs. This video answers the question “What is a patent?” Hi, I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner of Verna Law, P.C. where our team focuses on intellectual property and advertising law. We’re starting at the beginning...
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Video Blog 29: Copyright vs Trademark
The full transcript of this video blog can be seen on our Copyright vs. Trademark page: https://vernalaw.com/copyright-vs-trademark-law/
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Video Blog 28: Trademarks and Bankruptcy Part I (Trademarks are Assets)
In today’s troubled economic times, companies that fall may want to declare bankruptcy. Companies with registered trademarks may want to continue to use the trademarks and not lose any value in the brands. However, protecting the trademark from the beginning is paramount – not just registration,...
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Video blog 27: How is the Novel Coronavirus Impacting the Intellectual Property System?
Verna Law, P.C. currently has cases in the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York, the District of New Jersey, the Central District of California, and the Western District of Washington. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board appears to...
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Video Blog 26: What does LeBron James’ Trademark Infringement Suit Teach about Apparel and Trademarks?
America’s favorite export, that’s right, LeBron James, and his media company, and Nike were all sued for trademark infringement this week in the Federal District Court of Washington D C. Why were they sued for trademark infringement and what does that tell the small business? So first off they...
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Video Blog 25: Intellectual Property is Still Important in the Toy Industry
I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner of Verna Law. But chances are you already knew that! Hey, it’s the middle of February and what does everyone say about the middle of February? It’s my favorite time of year. Like, nobody says that about the middle of February, but it is my favorite time of year...
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Video Blog 24: Why Were the Chicago Cubs Sued for Copyright Infringement?
Video Blog 24: Why Were the Chicago Cubs Sued for Copyright Infringement? And what does it mean for the small business going into court? Recently, the Chicago Cubs were sued for copyright infringement. I kind of find it weird that I’m going to be suing a baseball team for copyright infringement....
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Video Blog 23: Algorithm and Business Method Patents: Searches Needed
Here at Verna Law, one of our goals of 2020 is to keep growing our patent practice, especially with our patent agent, Wil Jacques. Recently we’ve had a couple phone calls with potential clients who have business method or algorithmic patent ideas. In the last four or five years, ever since the...
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Video Blog 22: Patents for Colors? Yes. It’s a Process Patent!
Back in 2014, a company called Surrey Nanosystems received a patent for a color that is so black and absorbs 94% of all light. Let me take a step back there. You don’t receive a patent on the color. You receive a patent on the process for making such a new advancement in technology. That’s really...
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Video Blog 21: Trademark Infringement: What are Practical Effects?
Some statistics for 2019 are coming in in the trademark world. And in these particular statistics, one survey from CompuMark, a company from Clarivate Analytics and a company that does all of the Verna Law trademark searching, we’re finding that for trademark infringement, main consequences were:...
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Video Blog 20: California Consumer Privacy Act: An Introduction
Video Blog 20: California Consumer Privacy Act: An Introduction Hi, I’m Anthony Verna, managing partner of Verna Law, but you already knew that. That’s why you’re here. One of the perils of advertising law is the fact that there are 50 States and 50 States also means 50 different regulatory...
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Video Blog 19: What to Expect in Mediation for Trademark Infringement Suits or Trademark Opposition Proceedings
Most cases settle. Most lawsuits settle. We at Verna Law, P.C. have settled most of our trademark infringement lawsuits or trademark oppositions or trademark cancellations. Navigating Trademark Disputes: A Guide to Alternative Dispute Resolution Trademark disputes are a common challenge in the...
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Video Blog 18: Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Motion for Sanctions
Hi Anthony Verna here. Let’s talk a little bit about a decision that came from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) on October 31st. First, it reminded me of a case a few years ago that I had in which I made my appearance in the case and opposing counsel, about two weeks, later filed a...
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Video Blog 17: Depositions for Trademark Oppositions and Infringement Lawsuits
Well you haven’t heard from me in a few weeks. And that’s because I’ve been in the middle of depositions for several cases and the travel schedule can be a little hectic. But what are we looking for in a trademark infringement or trademark opposition deposition? We’re looking to take the...
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Video Blog 16: Good Judges Look for Settlements in Intellectual Property Litigation
Here at Verna Law, we have cases in several districts, in the federal courts. Southern District of New York Northern District of New York District of New Jersey; and the Central District of California. One of the defining aspects of different districts in federal court is how, especially in...
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Video Blog 15: An introduction to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act
Verna Law, P.C. focuses on advertising law. Call us at 914-908-6757 or send an e-mail to [email protected] for any questions you may have. 2024 Update: Understanding the Telephone Consumer Protection Act: What Business Owners Need to Know Introduction to the TCPA The Telephone Consumer...
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Video Blog 14: Celebrities with Trademarks do not Have Superior Rights than You
Recently, I’ve had a lot of people send me emails. They’re asking about celebrities and trademarks. Why? Well, Tom Brady filed for something called TOM TERRIFIC, although I think that nobody calls him that. And, recently, LeBron James filed for TACO TUESDAY in marketing, advertising and podcast...
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Video Blog 13: YouTube’s Copyright Reporting: Weaponized?
Many people have had conversations with me about YouTube’s copyright infringement reporting system. I’ve seen online discussions on Reddit, also, about the system. Bottom line: If you have any videos wrongly removed for infringement, appeal. But have a professional help you appeal. Here is a...
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Video Blog 11: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit for Downloading Porn Online?
Here is a lightly-edited transcript of the video: Recently, Verna Law, P.C. sign a new client who was sued for copyright infringement. Verna Law, P.C. has had about four cases in the last year that look exactly the same as this particular case. What do they all have in common? One, they all...
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Video Blog 10: Mickey Mouse, Expiration of Copyrights, and the Intersection of Trademark Law
The Great Gatsby will lose its copyright and go into the public domain in January 2021 and Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises also will fall into the public domain in January 2022. On January 1, 2024, society will see the expiration of the copyright for the short film, Steamboat Willie — and...
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Verna Law Video Blog #9: Victory. Verna Law has achieved a few excellent settlements for defendants of trademark and copyright infringement lawsuits this month.
When I first settled a trademark infringement suit for about $20,000, I thought I did a great job. The client did have to change the trademark and did have to send the excess product to a company to destroy the products, but I still thought it was a great settlement when in defense. Recently,...
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Video Blog #8: Scandalous and Immoral Trademarks Can Now Register at the United States Patent and Trademark Office!
In late June, the Supreme Court struck down the part of federal trademark law that prohibited the registration of “immoral or scandalous” trademarks. The case was called Iancu v. Brunetti, and it was a follow-up to the court’s Matal v. Tam ruling two years ago. In Tam, the justices unanimously...
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Video Blog 7: The United States Patent and Trademark Office adds new practice rule for registering trademarks from foreign applicants
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced on July 2, 2019 a new rule requiring all foreign-domiciled trademark applicants, registrants, and parties to Trademark Trial and Appeal Board proceedings to be represented by an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the United...
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Video blog #6 – Intellectual Property and Business Plans
Intellectual property and business plans. You know what a good business plan is, right? A business plan is a description of how you want to build your company. In the business plan, you want to explain what customers you want to target via which marketing channels, what makes you different from...
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Video Blog #5: Trademarks and the Alcohol Industry
Video blog on trademarks and the craft beverage industry. Intellectual property is important today as there are more craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries than ever before and many similar brands are chosen independently of each other. Also, many of these businesses need to take their IP…
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Video Blog 3: The Importance of a Copyright Registration
Why does someone need to register a copyright? It’s quite simple. The statute requires that a potential plaintiff must have a copyright registration certificate before walking into court. The Supreme Court affirmed the plain language of the statute in March 2019. It is also better for the types…
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Video Blog 2: Trademark Licenses – Don’t be Afraid
Being a trademark licensee means that your business is using the trademarks of another business in order to create products that the licensor (the trademark owner) cannot or will not create. This creates a bigger pie for both the licensor and licensee and then the licensee can pay the licensor a...
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Video Blog 1: Talking about trademark searches.
Potential Plaintiffs A trademark search shows possible plaintiffs. Does your business’ trademark cause a likelihood of confusion with other trademarks that are already registered or in use? It is impossible to judge without a trademark search. Potential plaintiffs are those whose marks are either...
About this show
Anthony Verna’s Video Blogs on Intellectual Property Matters
Hosted by
Anthony M. Verna III, Esq.
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