Ground leases are long term-leases that share many of the characteristics of a land purchase. The ground lessee acquires long-term exclusive rights of possession, including the right to build on and use the property as the lessee sees fit and to obtain any...
In the past month, Hart Kienle Pentecost has received rulings in 3 separate rent control applications/hearings. First, we received a ruling arising out of an application in the city of Lancaster. The city of Lancaster has a fairly expedited process for submitting...
Why register your trademark? Trademarks are an essential part of everyday life. They provide consumers with a shorthand way of identifying the source of the goods and services they depend upon. Whether it's the trademark for the car we drive or the clothes we wear or...
In February, I reported on the battle between Coca-Cola and some of its soft drink rivals over trademark rights to the word "ZERO" in an article entitled, "How many trademarks is Coca-Cola hoping to register with the USPTO this year? ZERO." Now, the Trademark Trial...
Throughout his many incarnations, Batman, the fictional crime fighter and protector of the peace in Gotham City, has faced a wide range of very odd foes. Names like The Joker, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze and Penguin are familiar to fans of the Batman comic books, television...
It has been quite some time since real pirates plied the waters of the Caribbean seeking valuable treasure, high-spirited adventure, and wooden casks of rum, but the recent thaw in U.S. relations with the Cuban government has reignited a decades old trademark battle...
In May, President Obama signed into law new legislation known as the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (or "DTSA") which is intended to provide enhanced means of protecting the confidential information that many companies rely upon as the basis for their competitive...
Hart Kienle Pentecost's Manufactured Housing Practice Group leaders are gearing up for our Summer Seminars! Bill Hart, John Pentecost, Bill Dahlin and Robert Williamson invite all mobilehome park owners and managers to attend this informative event. We will have...
Trademarks can be powerful. If you don't agree, just think of brands like Nike, McDonald's and Mercedes-Benz that rely on their trademarks to define their reputations in the marketplace and to drive consumers to buy their products. Where would they be without their...
If you're a fan of Nickelodoen's popular cartoon series SpongeBob Squarepants, then you probably wouldn't be surprised if Plankton, the nemesis of SpongeBob's boss, Mr. Krabs, tried to use some ruse or another to make use of Mr. Krab's valuable "Krabby Patty"...
