My Top Five Blog Posts of 2021
Happy holidays! I hope each of you finds time to enjoy this season of good cheer. One way I find joy is in writing. Combining my passion for words and the law to share helpful information about copyright, trademark, and estate planning is a gift I love to give. Let's continue the yearly tradition of highlighting some of...
Discussing Your Estate Plan With Family
The holidays are coming up, and it’s not uncommon for family members to ask questions about a relative’s estate plan over apple pie – or for the relative to bring up their estate plan as a conversation point. Generally, discussing your estate plan with your family is a good idea. It’s proactive to talk about wills and trust...
The Difference Between Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents
When it comes to intellectual property law, the most frequently asked question is what’s the difference between copyrights, trademarks, and patents? So let me explain what each of these concepts means and what each protects. To start with the basics, “intellectual property” refers to assets that have value and can be bought or sold but aren’t physical items...
Homeownership and Your Estate Plan
Will Buying a House Change My Estate Plan? Buying a house for the first time is a significant step for most people. It’s also a big reason to have an estate plan in California. Probate is required if the decedent (i.e., deceased person) owned real property worth more than $66,000 (as of 2021). That covers most homeowners in...
3 Ways to Discourage Copyright Infringement
Unfortunately, copyright infringement is rampant in the Age of the Internet. It is so easy to copy a photo or share a song or e-book, many people don’t even realize that what they’re doing is infringement. And then you also have the person who is deliberately and systematically copying your work for their personal gain. Fortunately, there are...