Intellectual Property Blog

How Athletes Can Protect Their NIL Online

A Practical Guide to Monitoring, Enforcement, and Brand Protection

For today’s athletes, visibility is both an opportunity and a risk. The same platforms that help build a personal brand also make it easy for others to misuse an athlete’s name, image, or likeness for their own gain. Many student‑athletes experience this when they stumble across a fake merch page, an impersonation account, or a video ad using their image without permission.

To respond effectively and quickly athletes need a structured notice‑and‑takedown strategy. Before diving into enforcement, it’s helpful to understand what NIL actually is and why the law treats it differently from other forms of intellectual property. More >

When Knowledge Isn’t Enough: What Cox v. Sony Means for DMCA Agents

Can an online service provider be held liable for copyright infringement simply because it knows infringement is occurring and does not immediately terminate a user’s access? On March 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court answered that question with a decisive no, delivering a unanimous opinion. More >

When Art Meets Auto: Daniel Arsham, Quavo, and the Battle Over a Ferrari Sculpture

The intersection of art and intellectual property law is rarely quiet and the recent dispute involving artist Daniel Arsham and rapper Quavo is revving up that conversation in a high-profile way. At the center of the dispute? A clay sculpture of a Ferrari crafted by Arsham and allegedly used without permission by Quavo in a music video and related promotional materials. More >

Don't Be Tricked By Fraudulent Specimens

While it may not be Halloween season, you can still be tricked by a fraudulent specimen submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The issue of fraudulent specimens in trademark applications has become a growing concern for both the USPTO and businesses. In recent years, the USPTO has observed an increase in the submission of fraudulent specimens related to trademark applications and renewal filings. More >

What is the DMCA? A Guide from a DMCA Agent’s Perspective

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a United States law that shapes how online content platforms handle copyrighted material uploaded by users. Enacted in 1998, the DMCA is foundational in balancing the rights of copyright holders with the realities of the internet’s user-generated content. DMCA Agents for online service providers (OSP) see firsthand how this law affects content creators, platform operators, and users worldwide. More >