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Wake Up and Smell the Options! Top Ten Alternatives to Litigation

Sandra J. Franklin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:49:52 +0000

Litigation is a constant source of fear in the corporate world. It can be a no-win vacuum of corporate energy, time, money, and even secrets! CEO’s, CFO’s and In-House Counsel strive to find a way to manage the risk of litigation and the reality of litigation if they actually face a lawsuit.
How can you avoid litigation? What options do you have once you’re faced with litigation?

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Questions and Answers with Sandra J. Franklin

Sandra J. Franklin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:26:30 +0000

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CHECKLIST

Sandra J. Franklin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:12:07 +0000

CHECK ON YOUR TRADEMARKS, TRADE SECRETS, PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS!

CHECK ON YOUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES as well as YOUR EXTERNAL RELATIONS!

Trademarks

1. Importance to company’s business objectives identified.

2. Measures for selecting trademarks/domain names for new products, services?

3. Measures for assuring consistent proper use – on products, services, advertising?

4. Measures for assuring timely registration, renewal, amendment of registration to comply with changes made?

5. Possible infringement by third parties?

6. Licensing opportunities.

7. Relationship to Domain Names.

Trade Secrets

Do You Need an Intellectual Property Consultant?

Sandra J. Franklin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:21:31 +0000

You need an Intellectual Property consultant whenever you are thinking about entering the marketplace with a new idea. If you’re starting a new business, you need to consider whether the name you want to use is already being used, if an associated domain name is available, if the name is protectible as a trademark, and how you want to portray your image.

Protect Your Intellectual Property

Sandra J. Franklin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:56:27 +0000

As seen in the SCORE column in the Record Eagle newspaper - Author: Sandra J. Franklin

What do abbreviations such as TM, SM, PAT PEND, ©, ® actually mean? These symbols represent trademarks, patents, and copyrights that provide certain legal rights and protections to their owner. They help safeguard a company’s names, products, services, and designs. As an entrepreneur, you should determine if you need to pursue any of these options to ensure you properly protect what is referred to as the intellectual property of your small business.

The Differences Between a Mediation and an Arbitration

Sandra J. Franklin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:35:26 +0000

ADR in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Sandra J. Franklin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:31:39 +0000

Competition is heavy in the Pharmaceutical arena, with billions of dollars at stake. Pharmaceutical companies fight for a higher share of the market through marketing campaigns, competition for employees, regulatory struggles, and research and development (R&D) programs, to name a few battlegrounds. In the latter, the R&D field, pharmaceutical companies are racing to be the first to develop solid Intellectual Property rights in the next best application of breakthrough technology.

Intellectual Property Example One - Patents

Sandra J. Franklin — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:22:15 +0000

An Employee of a Research and Development (R&D) company worked on a new way to manufacture a widget produced by the company. The company did not ask Employee to do this; Employee just wanted to get a problem solved. The company did not have R&D funding set aside for this particular problem, so Employee worked on solving the manufacturing problem in his spare time, sometimes even working on it at home.

Intellectual Property Example Two – Trademarks

Sandra J. Franklin — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:20:37 +0000

A Woman has been producing and selling bread locally under the name Mother’s Bread for twenty years. She has not filed an application for a trademark registration with the state or with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). A national baking company suddenly sells bread named Mother’s Bread in the same stores as the Woman, right next to the original Mother’s Bread.