“Just pull it off the internet!” Said no good lawyer…ever
January 10, 2017 | Carole Clark IsaksonNeed a graphic of fireworks for a party invite? Looking for a cartoon for a blog? It’s tempting to just use your favorite search engine and copy one of the internet… but please DON’T (at least not until after you read this article!). Copyright law is alive and well – and applies to items on the internet to the same extent that it applies to the books at the library. We all know that copying someone else’s work is illegal; that work includes art, photos, books, movies, songs and more. Recent law suits have highlighted the wrongful use of pieces of songs, with courts reiterating that any original work of authorship (so long as it is expressed in a tangible way) is protected. The internet IS a fixed medium, and works that are found on the internet are still subject to protection. That fireworks graphic? Well, it was created by someone and if you want to use it, you need to have permission. At this point I suspect some readers are thinking “wait! This is fair use. I won’t make any money on that party invitation so I can use the artwork”. Actually, not true… but don’t feel bad about being wrong, most people (including lawyers) are confused by the concept of “fair…
Read MoreBGS Participates in MTA's Trucks and Toys 2016 Event
December 13, 2016 | Carole Clark IsaksonThe BGS Transportation Law Department is carrying on the tradition of involvement with a great cause – the Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) Trucks and Toys event. This event provides toys for disadvantaged children and teens all over the state of Minnesota, through the efforts of MTA members like BGS. This year BGS attorneys and staff enthusiastically jumped in to the shopping challenge, and even helped load a truck! The MTA has been running this event for more than 20 years, and this year twenty three MTA members around the state collected toys and cash (used to buy more toys). The MTA coordinates with many charities throughout the state, and this year partnered with even more groups to donate even more toys. Here in the metro area, the MTA donated toys to Kinship in Fridley, People Serving People in Minneapolis and Harriet Tubman Foundation in Minneapolis. BGS personnel took part in the event on a more direct level. On Friday night December 2, BGS staff Jackie Campbell and Marly Gullekson (and Marly’s daughters and grandkids!) had a great time helping shop at the Blaine Target, where they helped the MTA purchase more than $13,000 of toys. Bright and early the next morning, and fueled by coffee and hot chocolate, assistant Jackie Campbell and attorneys…
Read MoreWhy we all need an “IDIOT!” light
December 5, 2016 | Carole Clark IsaksonMy first car was a canary yellow 1964 Corvair coupe. I could tell stories about that car for hours! Learned a lot too – one my strongest memories is of my father’s description of a dash feature. “This,” he said nicely, “is commonly called the ‘idiot light’. If it goes on you need to pull over immediately, shut off the engine, go find a phone and call me!” That light is a warning that things are on the verge of going badly. IF you paid attention, he said, there was still time to save the day (and the engine block) by pulling over and calling for help. What (or who) is your “idiot” light? We all need one! For some of us, it’s a spouse or other family member with enough distance from a situation to see that things are headed in the wrong direction. Your accountant and financial advisor may play this role as well, warning you when an investment isn’t performing, the 529 is underfunded, or the 401k is weighted too heavily in one fund. As parents we try to be the ‘idiot light’ for our kids. As attorneys we are sometimes in this position as well, a role that we take very seriously. I have been counseling business owners for…
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