Author Archives: L.A. Perkins
Jury Awards Company More than $200 Million Verdict in Trade Secret Misappropriation Case Against Walmart
According to a report from Law 360, a jury in Arkansas has awarded a company a nearly $225 million verdict in a trade secret misappropriation case against the state’s largest company (Walmart). The jury determined that the multinational retailer improperly misappropriated the trade secret of Zest Labs Inc. In this article, our Florida trade… Read More »
Disney Gets Big Win in Complex Patent Dispute Over “Genie”—but the Case is Not Over Yet
As reported by Florida Politics, Disney has prevailed in a complicated patent infringement case focused on “Genie.” The multi-national company scored a “big victory”—but the patent dispute is not over yet. The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) ruled in favor of Disney on the majority of its… Read More »
Copyright Office Released Pre-Publication of Part Three of its AI Report
On May 6th, 2025, the United States Copyright Office released pre-publication Part Three of its report on generative artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright law. The 107-page document addresses the contentious issue of whether such use constitutes fair use under current U.S. copyright law. It could have very big implications for a fast-developing area of… Read More »
Challenging a Trademark: The Difference Between an Expungement and a Reexamination
You have the right to challenge another party’s trademark on the basis of non-use. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) explains that there are two main options available for this type of trademark challenge: Expungement; and Reexamination. At Perkins Law — Brand Protection, we handle all types of trademark challenges. Within this… Read More »
Our Company’s Patent is Being Infringed On—What Now?
Patents are an important form of intellectual property (IP). Discovering that another party may be infringing on your company’s patent is frustrating. Patent rights exist to protect your innovations—and unauthorized use threatens not only your intellectual property but also your competitive edge and potential revenue. It is imperative that you take a proactive approach…. Read More »
Taylor Swift Facing Copyright Lawsuit from Florida Poet
On April 11th, 2025, Yahoo reported that a poet from Florida has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against pop star Taylor Swift. Florida-based poet Kimberly Marasco is seeking tens of millions of dollars in copyright infringement damages from Taylor Swift based on allegations that the singer used elements of her work without authorization. Here,… Read More »
Restaurant Chain in Florida Sued for Trademark Infringement By Dave & Busters
On March 31st, 2025, the Tampa Bay Times reported that a Florida restaurant chain is facing an intellectual property (IP) lawsuit from the national chain Dave & Busters. Arcade Time USA—a state-based restaurant chain that is headquartered in Miami—is accused of using the trademark protected phrase “Eat Drink Play” without authorization. Here, our Florida… Read More »
Dealing With a Trademark Office Action? Four Tips You Can Use
Did you recently file for trademark registration? If so, you may have run into problems in the form of an office action. Only around half of trademark applications are initially approved—so if you or your business is struggling to get approval, you are certainly not alone. You have options available. It is crucial that… Read More »
Four Things People Get Wrong About Trademark Searches
A trademark is one of the most valuable brand protection tools. It helps companies distinguish their products/services. Before you make a major investment into a trademark, you need to confirm that the path is clear. A trademark search is a very important step to building a strong brand. At Perkins Law — Brand Protection,… Read More »
Trademark Law: What is a Non-Final Office Action?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) explains that an office action is “an official letter sent by the USPTO. In it, an examining attorney lists any legal problems with your chosen trademark, as well as with the application itself.” Office actions are divided into two broad categories: 1) Non-final and 2) Final…. Read More »