Intellectual Property

If you’ve followed me on LinkedIn, you’ve probably seen me mention this before—but it’s worth repeating. Ownership changes can trigger serious reporting obligations with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), and missing a deadline here can cause real headaches.

What Should Be Done

For anyone listed on your federal permit—typically individuals with signature authority or at least a 10% ownership stake—any change to that person’s status should be reported to TTB within 30 days. This includes
Continue Reading Ownership Changes & Change of Control: Report to TTB Within 30 Days

We are seeing more and more scams related to trademarks. They are getting increasingly sophisticated. Please, please, please do not pay for anything over the phone. The USPTO never asks for money over the phone. The website is www.uspto.gov. It is the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). Some of the scams say things like the United States Patent and Trademark Center.  Please be careful. We post about this often, and yet it isn’t often enough. The scams
Continue Reading If In Doubt, Ask 

Good form allows movement to be powerful and efficient. But form is just a shape, and the shape we take depends on what we need to do.

I think about this when I train. A lifter grips the bar with rigid structure to generate force. A dancer extends through the fingertips, creating length and fluidity. Both are precise. Both serve their function. They don’t move the same way because they don’t need to.

I think about this at my
Continue Reading The Shape of Our Work

If only you could get ethics credit for reading this post.

For years, the estate of Leonard Cohen has been embroiled in litigation involving Cohen’s former attorney-turned-manager, and the law firm that allegedly forged trust documents in order to bestow power upon that individual. The saga continues, with a new lawsuit accusing the firm of malpractice. Read the details at your leisure and, misconduct aside, contemplate the inherent conflict of an artist’s attorney also serving as the artist’s manager.
Continue Reading Arts and Entertainment Law: Attorney as Manager?

In today’s digital era, the world of intellectual property is evolving rapidly. With technology making the technical aspects of filing trademark applications more accessible than ever, it might seem like the process is becoming straightforward. And to a certain extent, it is. With user-friendly USPTO interfaces, AI-driven tools, and abundant resources, the barriers to entry are indeed lowering.

However, while the “how” of trademarking is becoming more accessible, the “why” and “what next” are where the true value of
Continue Reading The Human Touch in Trademarking: Why Soft Skills Matter in a Digital Age

If you’re in a rush, that title is all you need to know.

If you crave explanation, here it is.

One does not “copyright” (verb) one’s work. Copyright rights attach automatically, when sufficiently original works of authorship are fixed in tangible media of expression. That is, for example, when the poem is written on paper; the paint is applied to canvas; the recording or photograph is fixed in a digital file; the training materials are typed into Word or
Continue Reading Copyright Is Not A Verb

Fatimeh Pahlavan’s legal practice is dedicated to building thoughtful infrastructure that supports meaningful work and human-centered workplaces. She believes that the right systems—whether legal, operational, or cultural—can foster both individual growth and collective impact.

At Ogden Glazer + Schaefer, Fatimeh draws from her background in cooperative governance, intellectual property, and nonprofit leadership to help clients build organizations that reflect their values. She approaches her work with a focus on clarity and collaboration, offering strategies that reflect each client’s unique
Continue Reading We welcome a new attorney in 2025!

We’re thrilled to welcome Jennifer Glass to OG+S! Jenn brings over 15 years of experience in intellectual property, specializing in patent prosecution, as well as patent and trademark docketing. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Cornerstone University.

Jenn’s career spans a variety of industries within the legal field, including automotive and pharmaceutical, and she has worked in environments ranging from small firms to in-house positions with large corporations. Her expertise in organizing complex projects,
Continue Reading We have a new IP Paralegal!

Copyright law can be a bit convoluted, but occasionally, the legislature does things that actually simplify life. One thing they did was to make all the copyrights expire on December 31 rather than throughout the year. The 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act gave works published or registered before 1978 a 95-year term, expiring on January 1 after the conclusion of the 95th year.

That means that on January 1, 2025, copyrighted works from 1929 will enter the US public
Continue Reading It’s Almost Here! Public Domain Day!

As we close out another remarkable year, all of us at Ogden Glazer + Schaefer want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude. To our clients, partners, staff, and friends, your trust and collaboration have been the cornerstone of our success.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together in 2024 and excited about the opportunities the new year holds. Here’s to continued growth, shared successes, and a bright 2025 ahead.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and
Continue Reading Happy End of 2024 from Ogden Glazer + Schaefer

The anticipated Emergency Rule further outlining the Department of Revenue’s policies, procedures, and interpretations of Wis. Stat. Sec. 125 was just released! If you are a brewery, winery, distillery, or wholesale permittee in the State of Wisconsin this emergency rule applies to you and will impact your business. We will have more information about the Emergency Rule and its impacts in the coming days. However, for now, you may read the rule in its entirety at the link below:
Continue Reading Emergency Rule 2419 Released by Wisconsin Department of Revenue

At OG+S, gratitude isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a cornerstone of our culture. As a staff member in this unicorn law firm—where innovation meets unwavering commitment to our clients—I find myself constantly thankful to be part of a workplace that truly values team collaboration and individual contributions.

Every day, I experience the synergy that comes from blending diverse skills and perspectives. Whether the attorneys are tackling a complex legal challenge or our full team brainstorming new ways to enhance
Continue Reading Gratitude in Action: A Staff Perspective on Working at OG+S

Collin started out the statements of gratitude, but we wanted to extend it to this week, too. We at OG+S are very grateful for our staff, our clients, and our community. 

We absolutely could not survive as a business without our staff. They exemplify our culture, mission, and values every single day. And let us know if they think we are not (as they should). Every meeting, every interaction with them shows they care about their work, our clients,
Continue Reading OG+S is Thankful for You!

When a fantastic trademark dispute arises, especially one involving superheroes, this trademark attorney cannot help but blog about it. The nature of this particular trademark dispute is epic, perhaps rising to the level worthy of a superhero blockbuster (or maybe that’s just this attorney’s trademark geekdom talking). In either event, like many legal disputes, this trademark dispute has several moving parts and has thus far spanned several proceedings. In short, it is complicated. With that in mind, it makes
Continue Reading SUPER BABIES vs. Other SUPER Trademarks

With the 🍂 Midwest weather looking like it should in mid-October, we offer you a poem along with a photo of Lola this week.

Fall, Leaves, Fall by Emily Brontë

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;Lengthen night and shorten day;Every leaf speaks bliss to meFluttering from the autumn tree.I shall smile when wreaths of snowBlossom where the rose should grow;I shall sing when night’s decayUshers in a drearier day.

See you next week for more legal information. 📌 Remember
Continue Reading It’s finally fall!

An item in today’s Flamingle caught my eye:  Why is Bucky Badger’s birthday October 2nd? 

Turns out that the big day dates back to the registration of Bucky’s likeness in the Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries on October 2, 1940.

Being a law librarian, I couldn’t help but dig a little further to find that entry.  There are actually two entries:  “Wisconsin and seal together with comic collegiate badger mascots” and “Wisconsin football player together with Wisconsin
Continue Reading From Copyright Catalog to Campus Icon: The History of Bucky Badger’s Birthday