The coronavirus global pandemic has brought with it very serious health risks and untold economic damage. In an effort to do what they can to limit the misery, brands are now having to re-think their marketing plans to engage with consumers responsibly.… Continue Reading
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the world, forcing people into their homes, electronic communications have and will continue to play a vital role in supporting families, businesses and individuals. Accordingly, electronic communications regulators across the globe are adapting their approach to regulation. Compliance with regulatory obligations continues to be important. However, regulators recognise that … Continue Reading
Other Squire Patton Boggs articles on the SPB Coronavirus Hub have highlighted the many remedial provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. Intellectual Property owners were not left out. Section 12004 gives the Director of the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) the authority to “toll, waive, adjust, or modify” … Continue Reading
Companies around the world are scrambling to respond to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have all received many emails and seen a plethora of ads and social media posts by manufacturers, retailers and service providers about steps they are taking to respond to COVID-19 related challenges. The messaging is vital for … Continue Reading
While the world deals with the growing global pandemic caused by the novel Corona Virus, SARS-CoV-2, and the COVID-19 disease that it causes, some out there are trying to take advantage of the crisis by seeking trademark protection over COVID and/or CORONAVIRUS. These attempts are not only in bad taste but are also unlikely to … Continue Reading
In an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, courts across the US are now limiting services to those that are essential and enforcing social distancing, especially in civil matters. We summarize here key provisions of the COVID-19 orders for twelve federal courts that commonly hear patent, copyright, trademark and/or trade secret cases. These courts are … Continue Reading
Usually found towards the end of a commercial contract, a force majeure provision seeks to exclude the liability of one or more parties for events beyond their reasonable control. Often (and mistakenly) overlooked as “standard boilerplate”, the increasingly apparent and potentially extensive impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on global supply chains is likely to bring … Continue Reading