Google v. Oracle – The Supreme Court Holds That Reimplementing Software API Is Fair Use

The Supreme Court decided a software copyright case between Oracle and Google holding that reimplementing some copyrighted software in order to develop interoperable software was fair use. Oracle had purchased the copyright to the Java software, including an application programming interface (“API”) which allows other programs to use the Java software. Java was initially created… View Article


Minnesota Homestead Law Highlights

Practically every homeowner is familiar with the term “homestead” or “homestead exemption.” But the scope and impact of Minnesota’s homestead laws are broader than most people realize. This article highlights several important features of the Minnesota homestead laws which everyone who owns or plans to buy a home in Minnesota should be aware of.[1] The… View Article


The NFT Market – Some Issues For Investors

Almost every news outlet in the past week published a story about an artist known as Beeple selling a digital image titled “Everydays: The First 5000 Days” through Christie’s for $69.3 million dollars. The particular image is a jpeg file attached to a Non-Fungible Token, or NFT, which is a unique digital certificate that can… View Article


CASE Act – Copyright Small Claims Court

Copyright, though acknowledged as an engine of our economy, has had an uneasy existence online. There are more creators and more infringers than ever before. Even outside of the traditional “media” industries like music, film, and publishing, businesses use copyright law to secure their software, advertising materials, and a host of other valuable content. But… View Article


Trademark Modernization Act – New Tools in the Trademark Toolkit

The Trademark Modernization Act (the “TM Act”) was passed in December 2020, and puts in place several changes that should be helpful for businesses that are looking to register their trademarks and enforce their trademark rights. The US Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) will add new rules to implement these changes, but some changes are… View Article


Comparing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Consumers typically file one of two types of bankruptcy – chapter 7 or chapter 13. There are important differences between a chapter 7 and a chapter 13. The difference between the chapters include structural and practical differences and present different options for a debtor. The right chapter for each debtor is heavily dependent on the… View Article


Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: A Different Way to Deal with Debt

The common perception of a bankruptcy includes: a person filing a bankruptcy a case, attending a hearing, and receiving a discharge of debt. However, there is another chapter to this story and that is a  bankruptcy under chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code. When considering bankruptcy options, there are hundreds of variables to consider. Some… View Article


Creating the Meaning of Your Trademark

US Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com BV Recently, the Supreme Court decided a trademark case that asked a very specific question. The answer could have a big impact on businesses trying to protect their brands. In US Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com BV, the Supreme Court had to decide whether a generic word… View Article


Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: A Shot at a New Beginning . . .

For a long time, the word “bankruptcy” brought with it a slew of negative connotations. Disappointment, failure, ruin, guilt, shame, and defeat are just a few words that describe the emotional state of a person faced with overwhelming debt who is looking for protection from creditors. Having represented thousands of debtors in chapter 7 proceedings… View Article


Introducing . . . Paul

We are excited to announce that Paul Godfread has joined Pruvent PLLC. Paul’s practice focuses on intellectual property and data privacy. He has represented businesses both large and small in transactions and litigation. He has substantial experience with trademarks and branding issues. Paul has a background in technology which has informed his practice. He has… View Article