The attorneys at Morningstar Law Group are leaders who are frequently asked to share their legal insights and expertise. Here is a sampling of the wisdom our attorneys are sharing at industry conferences, in published articles, and at continuing legal education events.

Insight

Is the COVID-19 Pandemic a Force Majeure?

March 13, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak, now deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization, is disrupting supply chains globally, leaving many companies unable to perform contracts or supply products to their customers, but is COVID-19 a force majeure that will shield affected companies from liability for non-performance?  Under US law, the answer depends primarily on the terms […]

Insight

Wing Wednesday, Yes, But No Taco Tuesday

March 12, 2020

Last year, shortly after news broke of Tom Brady’s unsuccessful attempt to register the trademark “Tom Terrific” (see my article about that here), there were reports of a few other intriguing, high-profile sports-related trademark matters that seemed deserving of some additional commentary.   Possibly not coincidentally, given Brady’s historic distaste for the State of Ohio […]

Insight

Supreme Court Decision in Lexmark Case Delivers Blow to Patent Holders

June 1, 2017

By Jennifer Van Doren, Partner, Morningstar Law Group The U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International, Inc. on May 30, 2017.  In it, the Court continued its recent expansion of the patent exhaustion doctrine, delivering a blow to patent holders and finding that a patent holder (or “patentee”) cannot…

Insight

Morningstar Law Group CLE 2016

February 16, 2016

Morningstar Law Group CLE: Current Topics for the Busy In-House LawyerFebruary 11, 2016 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park Morningstar Law Group CLE 2016 from MorningstarLaw

Insight

"Everything as a Service" Contracts

January 20, 2016

Randy Whitmeyer recently presented the following CLE to members of the ACC at CAM Raleigh. We hope that you find this subject informative and useful. "Everything as a Service" Contracts - Presentation from MorningstarLaw

Insight

Safeguard Your IP

July 24, 2015

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies often engage contract CMOs to assist with the development of their drugs. This type of arrangement naturally involves the development of intellectual property (IP), so it is important for both the CMO and the sponsor to identify pre-existing intellectual property and also define how rights to new IP will be allocated,…

Insight

5 Ways to Protect Intellectual Property

January 27, 2015

Published on Product Design & Development (http://www.pddnet.com) Jennifer Collins, Morningstar Law Group Prior to embarking on product development activities, it is critical that companies take time to protect their intellectual property rights. Several separate partnerships, alliances and agreements may be needed to go from the research phase to the marketplace. Each strategic alliances, development agreement, or joint development contract…

Insight

Managed Service Provider (MSP) Contract Issues

October 15, 2014

As more and more IT service providers, such as systems integrators and value added resellers, take steps to transition from “hourly-based” project and reactionary services to recurring, “fixed fee” proactive managed services, it is imperative that they adopt a clear and concise Managed Services (MSP) services contract. A carefully thought out and constructed contract can provide the MSP…

Insight

Top 10 Intellectual Property Mistakes Made by Emerging Companies - by Randy Whitmeyer

October 6, 2014

Increasingly, the value of companies (particularly technology companies) is correlated to the strength of their intellectual property (“IP”) rights – their patents, trade secrets, copyright, and trademarks. Growing a new company can be exciting and fast-paced, but paying close attention to intellectual property is a crucial step that should never be overlooked. Here is our…