Blackletter

In this episode of the Blackletter Podcast, Tom Dunlap explores the legal and practical considerations of using a competitor's trademarks in search engine advertising. He discusses the fundamentals of trademark law, the concept of initial interest confusion, and the varying opinions among legal circuits. Tom advises businesses to exercise caution and take precautions when bidding on competitors' trademarked keywords to minimize potential legal risks. This episode provides valuable insights for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of search engine advertising while staying compliant with trademark infringement laws.

Dive into the world of high-performing teams with The Blackletter Podcast as we welcome Jackie Quan, a distinguished research administrator and program manager with an impressive track record in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. With decades of experience, including significant roles working with the National Cancer Institute and leading the management of multi-party, complex clinical trials, Jackie brings a wealth of knowledge and insights.

In this episode, host Tom Dunlap explores Jackie’s journey through the intricate landscape of pharmaceutical research, highlighting her pivotal role as a liaison managing complex, cross-organizational projects. Jackie shares her reflections on the nature of high-performing teams, drawing from her extensive career to identify what sets these teams apart from the rest.

Listeners will get a glimpse of the elusive "secret ingredient" that Jackie believes is key to team success, setting the stage for a deeper dive in future episodes. Join us on The Blackletter Podcast to unravel the mysteries of team dynamics and discover how to foster an environment where high performance is the norm. Whether you're a professional in the healthcare industry, a team leader looking to inspire, or simply intrigued by the science of teamwork, this episode is a must-listen.

The Blackletter Podcast is a podcast for CEOs, Corporate Counsel, & Entrepreneurs. Each episode explores topics regarding business and law. Join host Tom Dunlap as he speaks with special guests and thought leaders across various professional fields. Their discussions during the interview focus around timely information, insights they’ve gained, and lessons they’ve learned through their experiences.

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Don’t have a disciplined attention span? Or just want to keep up with brief in-the-news topics and bits of information? The Blackletter Podcast also does short weekly episodes that are only minutes long, called Monday Morning Minutes!

Do you think you or someone you know would be a great guest on The Blackletter Podcast? We often feature thought leaders, clients, and other business owners discussing their experiences and how business and the law intersect. If so, fill out a contact form here!

Start your week off right with Tom Dunlap on the Blackletter Podcast's Monday Morning Minute. In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking settlement reached by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that's making waves in the real estate world.

Join us as we explore the NAR's $418 million settlement over four years, which marks a significant change in their practices, particularly in the Cooperative Compensation Model. What exactly is the Cooperative Compensation Model? How does it affect home buyers and sellers? We'll break it down for you in plain English, no complicated legal jargon (unless you want it)!

Discover how U.S. real estate agents operate under this model and its impact on commissions. We'll discuss why the lawsuit deemed this practice too expensive and its chilling effect on the market. You won't believe what the jury had to say, and how the NAR appealed before ultimately deciding to settle.

But here's the juicy part — what does all of this mean for you? Tune in as we discuss how this settlement could potentially change the standard 6% real estate commission, ultimately saving buyers and sellers some serious dough. Could this lead to a hotter home market and more homes on the move? We'll discuss the possibilities and speculate on the future.

Join Tom Dunlap as he dives into the recent guidance released by the USPTO on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the invention process. From debunking myths to outlining the PANU test, Tom provides valuable insights and practical advice on how to navigate the intersection of AI and patents. Plus, he shares the five big principles from the USPTO's guidance and highlights the importance of disclosure. Don't miss out on this eye-opening episode that could save your patents from potential litigation! Check out our blog for even more details.

In this episode of The Blackletter Podcast, President, Founder, and CEO of sbLiftOff Sharon Heaton, along with Wright Lewis, Partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, join host Tom Dunlap to discuss the role of M&A lawyers in the selling process of a business.

The conversation uncovers the preparations that businesses need for a successful sale, including business valuation and business succession strategies. Sharon and Wright explain how M&A lawyers assist clients in these tasks and help increase the value of their businesses.

The episode emphasizes the importance of assembling a skilled M&A team, including an advisor, lawyer, and accountant, to navigate the complexities of these transactions. Sharon also shares her insights on the challenges of valuing and selling businesses, highlighting the essential factors, such as growth, margins, and backlogs, to consider when determining a business's valuation.

Tune in to this episode to gain expert knowledge on business valuation and sale preparation.

The Blackletter Podcast is a podcast for CEOs, Corporate Counsel, & Entrepreneurs. Each episode explores topics regarding business and law. Join host Tom Dunlap as he speaks with special guests and thought leaders across various professional fields. Their discussions during the interview focus around timely information, insights they’ve gained, and lessons they’ve learned through their experiences.

Follow us on YouTube!

Don’t have a disciplined attention span? Or just want to keep up with brief in-the-news topics and bits of information? The Blackletter Podcast also does short weekly episodes that are only minutes long, called Monday Morning Minutes!

Do you think you or someone you know would be a great guest on The Blackletter Podcast? We often feature thought leaders, clients, and other business owners discussing their experiences and how business and the law intersect. If so, fill out a contact form here!

In this insightful episode, Tom Dunlap explains the complexities of patent eligibility under Section 101, focusing on its critical role in the world of software and abstract ideas. This episode illuminates the foundational requirements for patent-eligible subject matter and addresses the notable exceptions that pose challenges for inventors, such as laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract concepts. Highlighting the landmark Alice Corp v. CLS Bank case, the discussion introduces the Alice Test, a crucial two-part analysis devised by the Supreme Court to assess patent eligibility. By examining real-world case studies, Tom offers nuanced insights into distinguishing between abstract ideas and patent-eligible inventions, providing a roadmap for developing a strategic approach to patent applications. Join us for a deep dive into the essentials of patent eligibility and how to ensure your innovation stands the test of patentability.

On this episode of The Blackletter Podcast, Tom Dunlap is joined by Sharon Heaton, the president, founder, and CEO of sbLiftOff. Together, Tom, Sharon, and Wright Lewis, a partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, uncover the role of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) lawyers in helping businesses sell through preparation processes like business valuation and business succession strategies. 

On the show, Sharon and Wright explain how M&A lawyers work with clients on estate planning and business succession tasks and help businesses increase their company value. Together, they detail the effort involved in preparing a business for sale and discuss the essential roles of M&A teams, including the advisor, lawyer, and accountant. Finally, Sharon explains the challenges of valuing and selling businesses and emphasizes the importance of considering various factors when determining a business's valuation, including growth, margins, backlogs, and more. 

Listen to this episode for expert knowledge on business valuation and sale preparation. And tune in to the next episode of The Blackletter Podcast, where Sharon will share her three major pieces of advice for anyone looking to sell their business.

The Blackletter Podcast is a podcast for CEOs, Corporate Counsel, & Entrepreneurs. Each episode explores topics regarding business and law. Join host Tom Dunlap as he speaks with special guests and thought leaders across various professional fields. Their discussions during the interview focus around timely information, insights they’ve gained, and lessons they’ve learned through their experiences.

Follow us on YouTube!

Don’t have a disciplined attention span? Or just want to keep up with brief in-the-news topics and bits of information? The Blackletter Podcast also does short weekly episodes that are only minutes long, called Monday Morning Minutes!

Do you think you or someone you know would be a great guest on The Blackletter Podcast? We often feature thought leaders, clients, and other business owners discussing their experiences and how business and the law intersect. If so, fill out a contact form here!

In the United States, the timing of patent filings and public disclosure play a significant role in preserving your rights. Join Tom Dunlap as he discusses the pitfalls and crucial considerations regarding the protection of your innovative ideas and public disclosure.

Discover what constitutes public disclosure and the level of information necessary to enable someone to replicate your invention. From publishing on the web to sharing with manufacturers, Tom sheds light on how to navigate disclosure effectively. Learn why relying solely on NDAs and contracts may not be sufficient and explore alternative options such as filing a patent application, provisional applications, or leveraging the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for global protection.

Don't let a simple disclosure jeopardize your inventive endeavors. Tune in to this episode of the Blackletter Podcast to gain valuable insights and ensure the security of your intellectual property. For further resources, visit our website at dbllawyers.com and make sure to follow the Blackletter Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

On this special bonus episode of The Blackletter Podcast, Tom Dunlap is joined by Gerald LeMelle, an immigration attorney and Partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, to discuss the upcoming deadlines for employment-based visas, green cards, and other immigration status documents. Gerald enlightens listeners on the intricacies of these complex residency processes and discusses his role as an immigration attorney.

In this timely interview, Gerald shares the professional background that led to his role in immigration law and his current specialization in business immigration, including H1B visas, L visas, and employment-based green cards. Through his long-time involvement in human rights work, Gerald had the motivation to tackle the complicated U.S. immigration system and advance in his profession. He explains the purpose of different immigration tools and programs, including employer-based green cards and H1B visas that companies use to hire foreign workers. Of course, timing is crucial for visa documentation, and Gerald shares why deadlines are such a vital consideration when navigating complex U.S. immigration laws.

Check out this time-sensitive bonus episode to hear Gerald share his expertise as an immigration lawyer preparing for filing deadlines and managing immigration procedures. Join us again for our upcoming episode, where Tom will interview another expert guest on his mission to demystify law and business!

The Blackletter Podcast is a podcast for CEOs, Corporate Counsel, & Entrepreneurs. Each episode explores topics regarding business and law. Join host Tom Dunlap as he speaks with special guests and thought leaders across various professional fields. Their discussions during the interview focus around timely information, insights they’ve gained, and lessons they’ve learned through their experiences.

Follow us on YouTube!

Don’t have a disciplined attention span? Or just want to keep up with brief in-the-news topics and bits of information? The Blackletter Podcast also does short weekly episodes that are only minutes long, called Monday Morning Minutes!

Do you think you or someone you know would be a great guest on The Blackletter Podcast? We often feature thought leaders, clients, and other business owners discussing their experiences and how business and the law intersect. If so, fill out a contact form here!

In this episode Tom Dunlap discusses the controversial topic of patenting human genes. Specifically, he discusses the landmark Myriad decision in 2013, where the Supreme Court ruled that nobody could own human genes under a patent. Prior to this decision, research organizations and pharmaceutical companies argued that they spent millions of dollars discovering unique gene sequences and should have the right to patent them. However, this stifled research and prevented advancements in the field. Since the Myriad decision, more than half of all clinical trials require the use of some kind of human gene biomarker - leading to the availability of 286 targeted therapies by 2020. Join us as we explore the impact of the Myriad decision on medical research and the importance of not owning life.