Posts by ADLI Law Group
Countering Unauthorized Postings on the Internet
The internet has provided owners of intellectual property with virtually instantaneous and unlimited access to vast new markets and opportunities. On the other hand, the new medium has provided opportunities for copycats to make unauthorized use of others’ intellectual property works. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides a legal and procedural framework and mechanism…
Read MoreNanny Cam Recordings Ruled Admissible by California Court
In case you did not know, California is one of the few states that requires consent of all parties to a recorded conversation before the recording can be admissible as evidence. In fact, if there is no consent, the recording can actually be considered a crime. This means that if you record a spouse, significant…
Read MorePriority of Mechanic's Liens
One of the most important aspects of the power of mechanic’s lien is its priority over other liens or deeds of trust. Generally, liens on property follow the rule of “first in time, first in line” meaning that the priority of liens are determined based on the timing of the recording of the lien. To…
Read MorePatenting an Incomplete Invention – Keep in Mind the Enablement Requirement
Sometimes it may be oversimplified to tell an inventor that his or her invention can be patented before it is complete, because this may cause the inventor to try to apply for patent too early. While an inventor is not required to fully complete his or her invention before trying to apply for patent protection,…
Read MoreLitigation vs. Arbitration vs. Mediation vs. Negotiation
You are about to engage in a legal dispute with an adversary. You know that legal disputes are typically resolved at a court trial before a judge or jury. But you remember glancing over the contract for the last appliance you purchased, and it included an arbitration clause, according to which legal disputes relating to…
Read MoreGoodwill
Goodwill is a familiar term that most of us have heard and read about, and believe that we have a basic understanding of. Despite its familiarity, few business owners have a clear sense of what the term means or understand its application and legal implications for their businesses. There is probably good reason for this…
Read MoreHow Much Is A Patent Worth?
You are an inventor and are thinking about obtaining patent protection for your invention. You understand that patents are a form of legally recognized property, known as intellectual property, and that they can be very valuable. But you are also well aware that obtaining patent protection will cost money. How do you determine the potential…
Read MoreGeneral Contractors: What to Include in a Home Improvement Contract
You have agreed to do some remodeling work for a homeowner. They seem really nice and innocent. So, you decide not to waste time with a written contract. Worse yet, you don’t even have a basic home improvement contract. You think, these are nice people, what can go wrong? Short answer is, a lot can…
Read More“The Slants” Win the Supreme Court Battle Against the Patent and Trademark Office
Seven years ago, the Asian-American Rock Band from Oregon started an application to register their name, “The Slants” as a Trademark. The USPTO, who didn’t seem to appreciate the irony of this name rejected the registration based on the Lanham Act. According to the national office, an Asian-American Band using “The Slants” to identify themselves…
Read MoreImportance of “Boilerplate” Terms in Contracts
The term “boilerplate” in contracts is often used to refer to miscellaneous terms and provisions, which don’t concern the main terms and conditions of the agreement. For that reason, boilerplate provisions are often ignored or given short shrift by parties to contracts. This is a mistake because boilerplate terms can be critical to resolution of…
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