This past Friday (October 11, 2019), the Securities and Exchange Commission filed an emergency action and temporary restraining order against Telegram, a messaging app similar to WhatsApp. The emergency action is an attempt by the SEC to stop Telegram’s unregistered offering of its digital asset, “Grams.” As the SEC outlines, Telegram failed to adhere to…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) announced on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, its first disciplinary action for securities violations against a cryptocurrency. The disciplinary action involves Rocky Mountain Ayre, Inc. (RMTN) in connection with its issuing and selling of HempCoin, which was marketed as “the first minable coin backed by marketable securities”. Ayre bought the…
In a previous article, we discussed the second prong of the Howey test – a “common enterprise” – and the US Circuit Courts’ fragmentation on the issue and lack of uniform definition. In this third and final part of our series pulling apart the Howey Test, we’re looking at the third and fourth prongs of…
In a previous article, we discussed the first prong of the Howey test – an “investment of money” – through the lens of so-called ‘airdrops’. Moving on to the second prong – a “common enterprise” – requires us to take a step back and consider multiple angles. While courts, generally, have been quick to find…
Breaking: Texas Judge Blocks Proposed 2016 DOL Overtime Law On November 23, 2016, a federal Judge in Texas issued an order temporarily barring the Department of Labor (“DOL”) from enforcing its much-publicized new overtime rule, just over one week before the rule’s December 1 effective date. As explained HERE, the new rule would have represented…
Here’s 7 Things to know about Patent Rights – #4 is what most people DON’T know, #1 is the most important to know, and #7 reflects a recent change to our patent laws. 1. First Come, First Served: The US patent system will only award a Patent on an idea or invention to the first inventor…
Independent Contractor or Employee? How to Legally Classify Workers Virtually every young company struggles to properly classify workers as independent contractors or employees. Initially, when everyone involved in a startup is working on a part-time basis and pursuing other interests, it is easier to justify an independent contractor designation for most workers. But as the…
When to File Multiple Patents or One Big Patent For New Companies A client recently asked: I have a few inventions and I’m wondering if I can save money by combining them into a single provisional patent application? Your Patent Portfolio should always be developed with your business goals in mind. I passed the question…
A provisional patent application is a 12-month place-holder for a utility patent. The USPTO allows you to label your invention as Patent-Pending during this 12 month period. If a utility patent is not filed within the 12-month period, your spot in line is lost! Once the utility patent is filed, your utility patent filing claims…
I’ve added additional details to my invention/idea but I’ve already filed for patent. Can I modify my patent application after I’ve already filed it? A very common question indeed. The break down is quite easy to understand when following this logic: ADDING NEW SUBJECT MATTER Any Patent-Pending Application, whether it is Provisional or Non-Provisional, cannot…
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