Who are you going to call if you have a question about whether your conduct as a patent or trademark attorney is ethical? Many state bars offer “ethics hotlines” to aid their members in their understanding of, and compliance with, their obligations under applicable rules of professional conduct. Although the USPTO does not advertise a […]
Emil Ali has been keeping very busy representing trademark practitioners in USPTO ethics investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Next Thursday, May 12, Emil will be sharing his insights into the perilous ethical landscape faced by trademark counsel, in a live online webinar. Every trademark practitioner should watch and learn from the mistakes others have made! This
Trademark Ethics: 5 Things That Might Keep You Up At Night Read More »
The USPTO has ordered a registered patent agent who allowed a patent application to go abandoned, failed to communicate with his client, and failed to cooperate with the Office of Enrollment and Discipline’s ethics investigation to serve a six-month license suspension and one-year probation. This case presents a cautionary tale for IP practitioners and teaches
This post is the last of a three-part series reviewing how the USPTO interprets and applies its ethics rules to IP practitioners who represent patent and trademark clients through non-practitioner intermediaries. Where Are We Now: Evolution of PTO Ethics Opinions Thirty years ago, the PTO issued (in 1987 and 1988) ethics opinions regarding very discrete
Breadth Of PTO Ethics Opinion Could Alter How IP Firms Interact With Foreign Associates Read More »
“The Trademark Company,” whose owner Matthew Swyers agreed last month to give up his license to practice before the USPTO, ending a three-year ethics battle, appears to be alive. While still operating under the old name, logo and URL, The Trademark Company has shifted gears away from offering trademark-related services and is now offering only
“The Trademark Company” Pivots To A Copyright Company Read More »
George Foreman pitches their services on late night television commercials. A Google search for “how to sell my invention” turns up scores of them. Many individual inventors believe they have designed the next “better mouse trap” but typically have no clue how to monetize or market their invention. That is where invention marketing or promotion
OED Cracks Down On Patent Practitioners Working With Invention Promoters Read More »
“Mr. Corleone is a man who insists on hearing bad news at once.” – Tom Hagen, The Godfather In the Summer 2016 issue of Litigation, Steven A. Weiss, Chair of the ABA’s Section of Litigation, authored an article entitled, “Eight More Tips For Practicing Law.” Although the article focuses on a number of best practices
Many members of the public, and some attorneys themselves, believe that if they do not lie, they do not steal, and they do not cheat, then their conduct necessarily complies with the Rules of Professional Conduct. This is a false assumption. Others believe that an attorney’s “transgressions” in her personal life will not affect her
Bar Counsel Imposes Discipline For “Personal” Misconduct & Legal But Unethical Behavior Read More »
