You may recall a blog I posted a couple of weeks ago regarding my concern for the rising incidents of trademark "scam" letters, which look like official invoices from the USPTO, but are really jsut a way to pick the pockets of well-meaning trademark applicants (notice the letters always go to the OWNERS and not the Attorney or Record, of course).  

There's a disturbing trend happning regarding in trademark filings that has been making a lot of our clients nervous, so I feel that I should bring it to everyone's attention.  As some of you may know, trademark filings are public record, meaning that once the filing has been submitted anyone can view it.  As with most public filings, that's when the spam train comes to town.  This happens with domain names as well; if you've ever registered a domain name, you probably got an email from some Chinese office "warning" you that someone has come to them asking to register all kin

It's an exciting day here at New Leaf!  (And yes, we mean besides the kick-ass presents - including bugs, books about death and zombies - Jess gave me for Christmas.)  After

Thanks to Michael Beckett, founder of Beckett Creative, we've had the opportunity to gab about one of our favorite topics here at New Leaf: Social Enterprise and Business Structuring!  Now, don't go getting all excited just yet, but I'm sure you will once you hear Jessica's dulcet tones as she discusses various hybrid entites (including the L3C and flexible purpose corporation), and my chipper little voice when I chime in about nonprofits. 

Back in November 2009, in one of the worst economies in the last century, a couple of lawyers had a crazy idea: let's start a law firm for entrepreneurs!  Looking back on it now, my first thought is always "What. the.

Well, the second Masschallenge has official drawn to a close, and some FANTASTIC entrepreneurial ventures have come up on top.  Namely, we'd like to send out a huge congratulations to CocoMama Foods, who were one of a very select few of recipients to receive a $50,0000 (!!!) prize for their businesses.  If you haven't tried Cocomamas amazing delicious-yet-nutrious quinoa cereal, we just have one question: What are you waiting for??

Mark Goracke is a 3L @ BU and a former intern at New Leaf Legal.  He still guest blogs for us because he's cheeky and smart.  He's also a hipster, even though he tries to deny it. He also loves fun - it says so on his bike helmet. 

"I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.

And they make a complete disaster of modern copyright law.  So rude. 

This blog was written in conjunction with our other fabulous Summer Legal Intern, Mr. Mark Goracke.  It revisits a '10 case that may have lasting effects on royalty rates for past, current and future music contracts.