In Pineda v. Williams Sonoma, the California Supreme Court California ruled that retailers may no longer ask customers for their zip code in a credit card transaction. California retailers may no longer ask customers for their zip code in a credit card transaction.  On February 10, 2011, the California Supreme court unanimously ruled that businesses subject to California…

Cloud technology allows attorneys to work anywhere they have a secure internet connection.  This provides for greater flexibility, happier lawyers, higher profits, and better-served clients.  However, a pure virtual law firm is not the answer.  Law firms need to think outside the cloud: they need to utilize all the benefits of the 21st Century without…

Deckers recently made its largest ever seizure of counterfeit UGGS: 244,648 pairs were seized from Putian City, Fujan Province, China on December 23, 2010. Yesterday, I reported on the unfair competition and deceptive trade practices suit filed against Deckers by UGGLEBO for Deckers’ use of the UGG trademark for clogs and footwear in the US. (Yes, I too wonder why a woman wearing so little would want to wear…

A Minnesota company named UGGLEBO Clogs, LLC, filed suit last Thursday against Deckers Outdoor Corp. The suit alleges unfair competition and deceptive trade practices based on Deckers’ use of the UGG trademark for clogs and footwear. As reported by my colleague and long-time blogger, Marty Schwimmer, a Minnesota company named UGGLEBO Clogs, LLC, filed suit last Thursday against Deckers Outdoor Corp. The suit alleges unfair competition and deceptive trade practices based on Deckers’ use of the UGG…

When engaging in national advertising (including via websites), green claims must make clear to which aspect of a product line or business they apply.  Claims must be substantiated by evidence, which companies should be prepared to provide in the event that it is sought by consumers or competitors.   Failure to substantiate one’s green claims may…

All of the speakers who presented during the second day of the Sustainable Foods Summit emphasized the need for transparency in sustainability communications. Today I attended the second day of Organic Monitor’s two day Sustainable Foods Summit. Here are some highlights from the  late morning sessions (those after 10:00 am) on Day Two . . . Ellen Feeney, VP…

Although the Sustainable Foods Summit focuses on the food industry, the lessons shared by the presenters this morning apply to all social enterprises, regardless of industry. Today I attended the first day of Organic Monitor’s two day Sustainable Foods Summit. Here are the highlights from the morning sessions on Day One . . . The first speaker was…

When selecting brand names, it is important to think long term.  The more unique your brand, the greater protection it will be given by the courts and the PTO and the greater its value in transactional negotiations. We all wanna be famous like John Lennon, don’t we?  Yet, did you ever walk into a crowded…

The SEC recently voted to propose amendments to the net worth standard for determining accredited investor status under the Securities Act of 1933.  Under the proposal, the SEC’s rules would be amended to exclude the value of an individual’s primary residence in calculating net worth for the purposes of determining whether a person qualifies as…

The tides of online privacy are changing quickly.  Businesses may be collecting more information than they need and sometimes sharing it without the informed consent of consumers.  The federal government intends to curb this by modifying current protection for consumers, offering more precise guidelines for businesses, and creating greater transparency in consumer-business relations. Online privacy…