Pattern Pulp

Legal: Trademarks 101




Most creative professionals and designers encounter trademarks more often than they realize.  Despite this fact, it is surprising that many don’t know what a trademark is or why trademarks are important.  The purpose of this column is to introduce you to trademarks, provide a few tips for how to select and protect your trademarks, and clarify several misconceptions about trademarks that may help you avoid some common mistakes. Let’s get started…

A trademark can be any word, phrase, slogan, name, symbol, logo, design, or combination of those elements that is used to identify and distinguish one’s goods or services.  The most basic description of a trademark is that it is a product’s brand name. A trademark is different than a trade name, which is the name that a business trades under for commercial purposes.  A business’ trademark and trade name can be the same, but they don’t need to be.

Many small businesses and entrepreneurs confuse the two and assume that registration of a trade name with their state of incorporation gives them the right to use that name as a trademark to identify their goods or services.  This is incorrect and can be a dangerous misconception; particularly, if there is a third party using a trademark similar to your trade name.

Coverage by: David Sherman

Have a question?  Contact David at david.sherman [at] kattenlaw [dot] com

 

September 19, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Meet the Newest Member of the Team!




The timing couldn’t be better to introduce the newest member of the Pattern Pulp team! David B. Sherman is an Intellectual Property attorney in the New York office of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 600 attorneys in locations across the USA and an affiliate in London.  David’s practice focuses on trademark and copyright law, including issues relating to advertising, social media and the Internet. David regularly represents clients in the fashion and apparel, music, entertainment, publishing, and consumer products industries.  He is also a frequent lecturer on intellectual property issues, and dedicates significant time to pro bono service by providing legal consultation and educational courses to low-income entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout New York City.

Sherman’s first PP piece will focus on trademarks and the importance of knowing what they are and how to acquire them when running your business. Follow along as David provides insight on how the legal and creative industries can collaborate and what it means for you.

 

September 19, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Wound Up in Stitches




We’ve seen string used in design for a while now, though our interest was piqued earlier this year from the showings at both the Milan Furniture fair and ICFF. The woven trend, exemplified in these furniture examples, incorporates string and modern uses of embroidery with traditional weaving techniques. The results are an interesting homage to a time honored craft reminding us of all things cozy – warm sweaters and bulky blankets in a world where life feels more often chaotic.

Donna Wilson has teamed up with furniture company Ercol to create her one-off wound and wrapped pieces, contrasting the hard wood with the softness and comfort of the wool. Susanne Westphal’s two chairs – Stitch and Wooly – are a part of her final graduate project “The Discovery of Slowness” at the University of Art and Design Burg Gibiechenstein. Both pieces invite the sitter to take part in the chair’s creation by unraveling the yarn from “Wooly” and feeding it through the holes of “Stitch,” thus creating a unique design. This whole process forces the sitter to slow down, unwind and de-accelerate from their hectic life and observe how each chair becomes more comfortable and attractive with time and attention.

Imagery via All the Mountains & Design Milk.

Coverage by: Emily Gup

 

September 19, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Friday Quick Links!




  1. 1. Awe inspiring glass art sculptures by Shayna Leib via Sweet Station
  2. 2. DIY glitter shoes. Tempting. Very tempting via Honestly WTF
  3. 3. Beautiful work by Ana Montiel for Nina Ricci via AM on the Pretense
  4. 4. It’s a nice day for a neon wedding via Plenty of Colour
  5. 5. Lusting after this scarf as the temperature drop looms via Oh Joy!
  6. 6. Fredrik Åkum’s lovely works of art rift between reality and daydreams via Little Paper Planes
  7. 7. Quirky, lovely illustrations by Tatsuro Kiuchi via designworklife
  8. 8. “An Ode to Feminists” by Kirsten McCrea via art hound
  9. 9. Love these architecturally influenced images from Atelier Olschinsky via The Fox is Black
  10. 10. Google earth carpets – not something you see everyday via TeenAngster
  11. 11. Fun modern wallpaper from Flat Vernacular via My Adventure is Your Advantage
  12. 12. Julia Dault’s beautiful color and movement infused paintings via Empty Kingdom

Coverage by: Emily Gup

September 16, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Budget Buy: Preppy Plates




So you’re a fan of monograms, patterns and preppy styles and can’t let go of summer. If this is true, you’re in luck, as One Kings Lane has paired up with the Preppy Gift Shop to offer customizable melamine platters at a discount today. Arbor navy, cirque duo, milbank, santorini and lattice patterns are all on sale and will brighten up your table come fall or next summer.

September 16, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Tracking Repetitive + Awesome.
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