Telecom and Technology Law Blog

In the grand scheme of things, it’s always exciting to begin new ventures, and starting a new business or renaming an existing business is one of them.  But with all of the adrenalin flowing in anticipation of such changes, some matters do have a tendency of getting lost in the process.  Consequently, the business can be hurt when it least expects it, from heretofore silent torpedoes coming from the warships of trademark owners.

As an example, when a business is in the start-up phase or an existing business is going through a renaming to capture a new market, a great deal of effort goes into (or should go into) determining the branding of the company.  It’s not merely important to find a name which will turn potential customers’ heads and bring them through your door.  What is even more essential is to find a branding which is protectable and enforceable.

Posted By Susan Colman In All Articles , Intellectual Property , White Papers Comments 0 Continue Reading Permalink

Washington, DC: The ACLU plans to challenge the FISA bill passed on July 9, 2008, by the Senate. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ("FISA") grants telecommunications companies, which helped the National Security Agency spy on Americans, retroactive civil immunity from lawsuits

Posted By Jessica Davison In All Articles , Intellectual Property , Internet , Podcasts , Telecom , VoIP Comments 0 Continue Reading Permalink

The introduction of new communications technologies into the workplace has created new privacy concerns for employers and employees. Should an employer have the right to view what an employee is doing on his or her computer while at work or while on company business? Should an employee have an expectation that personal e-mails or documents will be kept private from employers? These are questions that are in the process of being answered by the courts. However, there is still no clear precedent in determining a standard answer to these questions. So far, the courts have decided that employees are entitled to a “reasonable expectation of privacy” but this “reasonable expectation” all depends on the facts of a particular case.

Posted By Jessica Davison In All Articles , Intellectual Property , Podcasts Comments 0 Continue Reading Permalink

Telecommunications companies, like other technology-related ventures, often base their businesses on the unique and proprietary nature of their business ideas, processes, products and services. Indeed, it is these proprietary products and services that allow many telecommunications businesses to stake out a niche in the marketplace and to distinguish themselves from the multitude of competing service providers. Yet, despite the importance of these ideas, processes, products and services to the success of their businesses, many telecommunications companies do not take the steps necessary to protect themselves against copycats lying in wait to steal such "intellectual property" from them, thus gaining access to the market niche they have so carefully developed.

In most cases, they need not let this happen. Service providers can protect their company's intellectual property by obtaining appropriate patent, trademark and copyright protection. This article briefly explains each type of protection, the matters to which they apply, how to determine if protection is needed and, if it is, the steps necessary to obtain such protection.

Posted By Susan Colman In All Articles , Intellectual Property Comments 0 Continue Reading Permalink