On December 27, 2020, the Trademark Modernization Act (“TMA”) was signed into law, making changes—some effective immediately—to the Lanham Act. Among the changes, some specifically important ones to note are: New and more expeditious procedures for ex parte expungement and reexamination of deadwood marks from the federal register; Changes to office action response periods; […]
It was only one year ago that the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) went into effect. The CCPA is a landmark privacy law providing California residents various protections with regard to personal information. Even though the CCPA is in effect, it is still undergoing rulemaking with the 4th Set of Modifications to the […]
On November 3, 2020, California voters passed ballot initiative Proposition 22, the so-called California gig worker law, which, effective January 1, 2021, will exempt app-based transportation and delivery companies such as Uber, Lyft, and Door Dash from providing employee benefits to certain drivers. At the same time, Proposition 22 will enact certain wage and labor […]
A common question that many businesses have is how to file a DBA in Washington State. This post provides some information about DBAs and a step-by-step guide to file a DBA in Washington State What is DBA? A business may operate under different names for various reasons. This is known as “doing business as,” “DBA,” […]
This post discusses issues related to re-opening a physical workplace that has been closed as a result of COVID. First and foremost, the question to be answered is whether to re-open the physical workplace at all; or is a business able to not only survive, but thrive, while keeping everyone remote or off-premises? Assuming […]
It may go without saying, but #hashtags are a vital part of attracting the right eyes to your social media marketing efforts. However, what happens when your #hashtag becomes associated with your particular brand of goods or services? Is it now a trademark? Can (and should) you obtain federal trademark protection for your mark? This […]
Congrats on the acquisition prospect! This is both an exciting and nerve-racking opportunity. Hiring an attorney during an acquisition is a natural expectation. The question we are addressing in this post is when to do so. Hire an Attorney Before Signing a Letter of Intent The early stages of the acquisition processes generally […]
The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) went into effect on January 1, 2020, and many companies (and lawyers) are scrambling to make sense of how the law will apply to businesses in Washington State. Below is a brief overview of CCPA compliance concepts, as well as some practical advice for businesses looking to […]
This post covers Washington State COVID-19 business resources and relief. COVID-19 is having an impact on all businesses throughout the State of Washington. Below is a brief list of some important resources available now for Washington businesses affected by COVID-19. The Small Business Administration COVID-19 Business Relief Many businesses are experiencing financial disruption because […]
Paid Family and Medical Leave in Washington State Washington State adopted the Paid Family and Medical Leave program in 2019. This law, in short, created a system where qualified employees who need to take time off to care for themselves, loved ones, or the birth or adoption of a child could take a certain amount […]