Trademark Office Actions: How to Respond and Protect Your Brand
What Is a Trademark Office Action? A trademark office action is a formal letter from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) examiner identifying issues with your trademark application that must be resolved before the mark can proceed to registration. Receiving an office action does not mean your application is denied — it means […]
Membership Interest as Collateral: What You Need to Know
Membership interest as collateral is an increasingly common financing technique for LLC owners seeking loans, but it presents unique legal challenges under the Uniform Commercial Code and state LLC statutes. Lenders and borrowers alike must understand how security interests in membership interests are created, perfected, and enforced. Howard East’s corporate attorneys structure secured transactions involving […]
Who Owns the IP an LLM Creates? Understanding the Complexities
AI intellectual property ownership is one of the most pressing legal questions facing businesses today. As large language models and generative AI tools become integral to business operations, determining who owns the content, code, and creative works that AI produces has become a critical concern. The answer is more complicated than most business owners realize, […]
Intellectual Property 101: Protecting Your Business Assets
Intellectual property — patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets — can be the most valuable asset a business owns. Yet many business owners fail to identify, register, and protect their IP until it is too late. Understanding the basics of IP law helps you build a portfolio of protected assets that strengthens your competitive position […]
How to Trademark a Name: A Complete Guide
If you want to trademark a name for your business, understanding the process is essential. Your business name is one of your most valuable assets, and trademarking it prevents competitors from using a confusingly similar name and gives you the legal tools to enforce your brand identity nationwide. While the process to trademark a name […]
Subscription Agreements: What Business Owners Need to Know
Subscription agreements are the legal framework for investment transactions where an investor commits capital to a company in exchange for equity. These agreements are common in private placements, fund investments, and direct equity purchases. Getting the terms right protects both the company and the investor. Howard East’s corporate attorneys draft and negotiate subscription agreements across […]