Blackletter

What is fair use? If you are a content creator and wonder if you can use copyrighted media, Tom digs into the US copyright law and in particular the fair use doctrine that allows brief excerpts of copyright material without the need for permission from or payment to the copyright holder. Tune in to hear more on why we are able to use these copyrighted works of art on this episo...

What role have patents played throughout history in shaping our society as we know it today? On the Blackletter podcast this week, host Tom Dunlap sits down with Robert Greenspoon, an attorney at the Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig law firm, to discuss patents and how they have become integral to the progression and formation of our society. Rob provides examples of patents representing the history of...

Mariah Carey is synonymous with Christmas, however, the US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled against the pop diva’s legal attempt to trademark the name “Queen of Christmas.” The decision means that the regal holiday monikers can be used by another singer, Elizabeth Chan, who says she’s “the world’s only full-time pop Christmas recording artist.” Tune in as Tom gets into the Christmas Spirit b...

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether a parody dog toy called “Bad Spaniels” is entitled to protection from trademark infringement and dilution-by-tarnishment claims by Jack Daniel’s Properties Inc. A previous decision that said the dog toymaker was entitled to First Amendment protection because the dog toy was an expressive work, made it more difficult for Jack Daniel’s to win on th...

What advice should entrepreneurs follow if they are trying to get started in the medical cannabis business? On the Blackletter podcast this week, host Tom Dunlap concludes his three-part series with Kevin Goldberg from Green Leaf Medical and Barney Goodman, his attorney from Dunlap Bennett Ludwig. Together they discuss the entrepreneurial practices that they recommend for anyone looking to start a...

Cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which has filed for US bankruptcy court protection, said it owes its 50 biggest creditors nearly $3.1 billion. FTX and its affiliates filed for bankruptcy in Delaware on Nov. 11 in one of the highest-profile crypto blowups, leaving an estimated 1 million customers and other investors facing total losses in the billions of dollars. Meanwhile, authorities in the Bahamas...

When rules and regulations limit your ability to support your company, how do you move forward and enable your business to flourish? This week on the Blackletter podcast, host Tom Dunlap is joined once more by Kevin Goldberg from Green Leaf Medical and Barney Goodman, his attorney from Dunlap Bennett Ludwig, for the second episode in their three-part series. Kevin and Barney have faced several cha...

Last week the Supreme Court granted certiorari on two petitions raising intellectual property issues, including the closely-watched enablement  Amgen v. Sanofi . This will be the first time that the Supreme Court has addressed the enablement requirement in a very long time. Listen in as Tom Dunlap discusses one of the most challenging problems in patent law.

On this week's episode, Tom discusses the new updated NIL rules guidance. The NCAA's Division I Board of Directors approved on Wednesday new guidance to members on name, image and likeness activities, clarifying how schools, coaches and staffers can be involved with athletes' endorsement and sponsorship deals. The latest clarifications to the NCAA's interim NIL policy create no new rules, but are...

Are you willing to do what it takes to break into a successful line of business? On this episode of the Blackletter podcast, host Tom Dunlap begins his new three-part series interviewing Kevin Goldberg from Green Leaf Medical and Barney Goodman, his attorney from Dunlap Bennett Ludwig. As the founder of Green Leaf Medical, Kevin is no stranger to business regulations. From applying for the correct...

This week Tom discusses the verdict of a copyright infringement case involving a man who claimed the Grammy-winning rapper, Cardi B, misused his back tattoos for her cover art. The artist argued that the tattoo was transformative fair use and did not hinder the man's employment and ability to travel the world for opportunities. Tune in to hear more about transformative use and the copyright of tat...

The Supreme Court is set to hear two cases challenging race-based admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The plaintiff is asking the Supreme Court to overturn its prior precedent that allows the narrow use of race in college admissions decisions. While these cases are not new to the Supreme Court, the new makeup of the Supreme Court has led to edu...

Could your ego be negatively affecting your entrepreneurial decisions? On this episode of the Blackletter podcast, host Tom Dunlap concludes his three-session interview with Terry Dohrmann, founder of the legal operating software company Litify. Terry discusses the importance of leaving your ego at the door and maintaining trust in your team members to identify your blindspots and reach successful...

The Onion , a well-known parody publication, filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a man who was arrested and prosecuted for making fun of police on social media. While defending the purpose and power of parody in society, the court filing doesn’t entirely keep a straight face In a legal filing every bit as persuasive as funny. Join Tom this week as he discusses both The Oni...

As the justices return to the bench this week, the new term will feature major disputes on affirmative action, voting, religion, free speech and gay rights. The Supreme Court’s first case of the new term involves a major environmental dispute over the federal government’s power to protect the nation’s waterways under the Clean Water Act. The justices will also weigh a voting rights case that tests...

What is the most effective way of approaching change management to achieve business success? On this episode of the Blackletter podcast, host Tom Dunlap continues his three-session interview with Terry Dohrmann, founder of the legal operating software company Litify. Terry discusses the obstacles that he faced to build and grow Litify. As the founder of a developing company, Terry has many experie...

Recently, Amazon.com was sued claiming it illegally used a California sex offender website to conduct background checks on job applicants. On this episode, Tom digs into the case and whether there are any state laws pertaining to using criminal records and sex offender registries before hiring.

Access to justice is the fair chance to secure your rights under the law. Under this basic principle, citizens should have equal access to the legal system. This includes initiatives and programs designed to provide legal services to people that may have difficulty obtaining legal advice and representation. In today's episode, Tom discusses how access to justice is provided in the United States an...

What challenges are you willing to face to pursue your entrepreneurial aspirations in the tech industry? On this episode of the Blackletter podcast, host Tom Dunlap begins his three-session interview with Terry Dohrmann, founder of the legal operating software company Litify. Terry’s company Litify has grown a lot since it started 6 years ago, but his journey of developing a tech company as a new...

The D.C. Circuit court recently heard lawsuits that challenged the constitutionality of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s anti-circumvention and anti-trafficking provisions. These provisions, restrict people’s ability to access, use, or even discuss copyrighted materials that they purchase. Listen to today's episode as Tom breaks down Dr. Green's and Dr. Huang's lawsuits, how they differ, and...

The unofficial end of summer is upon us. For many, Labor Day serves as a day off and a last chance to experience the best summer has to offer with pool parties, cookouts, parades and more. But why do most of us actually have the first Monday in September off from work? It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland....

Can breaking free from traditional business practices and consistently promoting your brand be the keys to founding a successful company? On this episode of the Blackletter podcast, host Tom Dunlap concludes his three-part interview with Erik Olson of Array Digital, Array Law, and Rival Digital. After founding a company of his own, Erik gained a lot of insight through his experiences finding succe...

Building upon his winning legacy and personality, Olympic sprinter, Usain Bolt, has secured several trademarks for use with athletic gear, clothing, accessories, and other products. These trademarks include his name, the stylized initials “UB,” and Bolt’s signature celebratory pose. The marks are protected for use across a broad selection of products, including sunglasses, sports bags, running sho...

How long does it take to register a trademark? As a trademark attorney, Tom is asked this question a lot, and the answer may surprise you. In this episode Tom discusses the timeline for completing a trademark as of June 2022.

What risks are worth taking to build your ideal business? On this episode of the Blackletter podcast, host Tom Dunlap continues his three-segment interview with Erik Olson from Array Digital, Array Law, and Rival Digital. As a company founder, Erik Olson is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of the business world, especially for those just starting out. This week, Erik discusses his bigges...