Legal Insights
Thought leaders from around the world contribute their perspectives on landmark cases, new legislation, and legal perspectives on new technologies, business practices, and civil procedure.
Featured Articles

An Interview With Jan Bernd Nordemann of Boehmert & Boehmert, Winner of the 2019 "Law Firm of the Year" Award for Intellectual Property Law in Germany
Best Lawyers
The international property law attorney discusses his firm's recent successes and the trends taking over the IP field.
Four Disastrous IP Mistakes Most Companies Make
Eric Vaughn-Flam
Registering and investigating trademarks are just the beginning when it comes to keeping your intellectual property safe.
Public-Private Partnerships in Puerto Rico: A Handbook
DLA Piper
Historically, there has been vigorous debate among the residents of Puerto Rico for and against the privatization of public property and public services.
Understanding the Benefits of Copyright Registration
Maria Crimi Speth & Aaron Haar
If you aren't registering your copyrights with the United States Copyright Office, you're missing out on additional protections.
Running a Startup in Ontario? Read These 10 Rules
Mihkel Holmberg
Navigating your startup amid Canada's changing unemployment law.
Fair Enough: The “Fair Use” Defense to Trademark Infringement
Maria Crimi Speth & Aaron K. Haar
There are two arguments for fair use in a trademark infringement case. Here's your guide to understanding both.
Lawyer Commendations Feature Makes It Easy to Recommend Top Legal Talent
Best Lawyers
Attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers can now position themselves as reliable industry resources.
New Greek Copyright Law
Kriton Metaxopoulos
The procedure applies only to infringements committed by users who make available to the public and upload content or works for which they do not own/control the copyrights. However, it does not apply to infringements committed by end users by downloading, peer to peer file sharing, streaming, or cloud computing.
“Defend Trade Secrets Act” Signed Into Law Effective May 11, 2016
Brooks Kushman
The Defendant Trade Secrets Act of 2015 (“DTSA”), was signed into law by President Obama on May 11, 2016. The new statute creates broad private federal cause of action for trade secret misappropriation and has been hailed as “the most sweeping change to the nation’s intellectual property laws in a generation or more.”
Q&A with Franklin Hoet-Linares of Venezuela’s Hoet Pelaez Castillo & Duque
Best Lawyers
An interview with Franklin Hoet-Linares of Venezuela’s Hoet Pelaez Castillo & Duque.
Greek Supreme Court Contests the Validity of Philips’ EFM+ (DVD) Patent
Kriton Metaxopoulos
An overview on the ruling of Philips’ EFM+ (DVD) Patent in the Greek Supreme Court.
Drones: What Legal Issues Should You Be Thinking About?
Rachel Constantino-Wallace, John Roche, and John Wechkin
Issues like product liability, FAA compliance, privacy, and IP surround the use of drones for personal and business use.
Is That Famous Song Protected by Copyright? Maybe Not – and the Change Means Refunds for Some
Michael B. Fein
A guide to navigating copyright claims on famous songs.
New European Unitary Patent Is Not-So-Wonderful
Michael B. Fein
If the European Parliament and the 25 participating states were trying to emulate a U.S. patent and replace the present Balkanized system wherein each state has its own patent granting authority and courts handling patent litigation, it has failed miserably.
Protect Two of Your Most Valuable Business Assets: Your Company Name and Important Brand Names
Paul C. Van Slyke
Your company name and important brand names are two types of your most valuable business assets. Without your company name and brand names, consumers and trade buyers would not be able to identify easily (and choose) your goods or services over those of another.
Victory for The Slants and Redskins
Carol Steinour Young and Emily Hart
On June 19, 2017, the United States Supreme Court settled the issue of whether an offensive name—in this case, an Asian-American rock band called “The Slants”—can properly be registered as a trademark.
Is Your U.S. Trademark Registration Being Audited?
Paul C. Van Slyke
The first of a two-part look at updates to the U.S. trademark registration process, and what it means for you and your business.
The Argument Against Self-Representation in Patent Cases
John Powers
A look back at the 1983 Nilssen case, and what it means for patent law today.
Public Health Reform: What does the future look like for patients?
Vanessa Mellis
Increased government stewardship and a stronger user orientation are two of the key elements shaping this process.
Patent Battles at the PTO
S. Benjamin Pleune
Inter partes review (IPR) has become the procedure of choice to resolve the validity of patents, with or without a co-pending litigation.
In the News Weekly Roundup: Court Rules for Taxes in Online Retail
Best Lawyers
News from our listed lawyers. This week: New leadership at Richards, Layton & Finger, and developments in the Supreme Court.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court of California, San Francisco
Clifford J. Zatz and Josh Thomas Foust
The decision “may make it impossible to bring certain mass actions at all.”
Supreme Court Reinstates Venue Limitations in Patent Cases
Jeff C. Dodd, Tonya Gray, Ben Setnick, John R. Hutchins, Rose Cordero Prey, and Mark A. Chapman
This week, in TC Heartland LLC v. Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC, the Supreme Court undid the settled practice of virtually nationwide venue for patent infringement cases.
Q&A with Eduardo Kleinberg of Basham Ringe y Correa
Best Lawyers
"Law Firm of the Year" interview with Eduardo Kleinberg of Basham Ringe y Correa.
Salvador Dali's Legacy: Deprived of Image Rights?
Antonio Muñoz Vico
It is beyond question that personality rights expire with death and that post-mortem protection of such a personal sphere should be limited to preserving memory.
Q&A with Colleen Tracy James of Mayer Brown
Best Lawyers
A Q&A with Advisory Board member Colleen Tracy James of Mayer Brown.