For today’s episode, Tom discusses?a report released by RPX corporation, which handles infringement litigation?when companies have been sued by non-practicing?entities.?Non-practicing entities?own patents or portfolios,?but?do not make a?product, and sue other companies when those patents are infringed upon.?Compare to last year, litigation with NPEs has risen by 7%. On the reverse side, practicing litigation has dropped by 16%.?To...

Today, Tom Dunlap discusses the Supreme Court ruling in favor of a high school student who had been cut her from the varsity cheerleading time due to profanity in her Snapchat photos. The teenager posted on her Snapchat, swearing about the school, which eventually got back to the school, who punished her. The Supreme Court ruled that the school did not have the right to censor or punish students for their freedom of speech or expre...

Today, Tom Dunlap chats with Sharon Virts about building her successful government contracting business, her new book, and her recent philanthropy work.  

Sharon began her foundation to support four pillars that she believes are necessary for a thriving community: education, cultural and historic preservation, healthcare, and opportunity for development. They have donated millions of dollars to build much needed systems like a Trau...

For today’s episode, Tom discusses the recent case involving Fresh Hub and Amazon. Fresh Hub alleges that Amazon infringes on their patent IOT kitchen voice technology. Fresh Hub’s patent includes using your voice to order and manage grocery lists. However, Amazon, which now owns Wholefoods, is allegedly using that technology via the Alexa app and other smart devices. The case is still evolving, so check back in with Tom on Monday ...

For today’s episode, Tom discusses the recent Supreme Court Ruling on the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, or CFAA. The case involved an officer who used his access to a state-run computer to search for the license plate of a woman on behalf of a friend. The friend allegedly paid him $6,000 to see if the woman was an undercover cop or not. The federal government prosecuted him under CFAA, but the appeal questions if an insider like th...

For today’s episode, Tom discusses the origins of Memorial Day as a day of remembrance and what it truly means. It began a few years after the Civil War as “Decoration Day,” in which Americans, especially in the North, placed decorations on tombstones. Tom touches on its unique presence in Charleston. In the 1970s, the government officially declared the holiday on May 31st as a day of remembrance. Listen to the episode to hear more...

For today’ s episode, Tom discusses the origins of the phrase “Crossing the Rubicon” and how it has appeared in the legal world. He distinguishes that there was no law in Rome that Julius Caesar could not cross the Rubicon River. Rather, it had to do with Imperium, which prohibited Roman generals to return to that area of Italy without disbanding their army. When Caesar crossed the Rubicon, he and his army became outlaws subject to...

In this episode, Tom Dunlap chats with Peter Burnett, of Burnett and Williams Firm, about his Ampersand Pantry project that collects meals from local restaurants and gives them to families in need during Covid.

Peter has been practicing law for almost 44 years. In that time, he has come to realize the power and importance of community. As someone who owns businesses in his local community, he has come to recognize how the people ar...

For today’ s episode, Tom discusses the recent ruling by the PO Board in the Trademark trial with a Georgia Craft Brewery. The brewery couldn’t register the phrase “Dank Tank” for a beer, but the board and the brewery have differing opinions of the word’s meaning. The brewery states that “dank” refers to cannabis and when used in the context of beer, is a unique phrase. The Board said “dank” is a descriptive term for funky flavors ...

For today’s episode, Tom discusses defamation in the current Smartmatic and Dominion lawsuits against Fox. Defamation occurs when someone publishes a written or spoken false statement that hurts the reputation of the company’s character. Tom explains the difference between “slander” and “libel” and touches on its history and burden of proof in England.  

Smartmatic and Dominion have sued Fox News for allegedly defaming them by s...

For today’s episode, Tom continues his discussion on Anti-SLAPP statutes enacted by a number of states. SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participation, and references when a wealthy and powerful entity is bringing forth lawsuits to silence public criticism or participation. Over thirty states have enacted Anti-SLAPP statutes, which allow the defendant to file a response, saying the initial lawsuit is meant to intim...

For today’s Monday Minutes, Tom discusses Robinhood’s usage of Ice Cube’s image in their newsletter. Robinhood, infamous for the GameStop stock situation earlier this year, used Ice Cube’s image and a parody of his phrase “Check yourself before you wreck yourself” in their educational newsletter, “Snack.” The lawsuit states that Robinhood misappropriated his image and phrase, and Ice Cube does not want to be associated with the pla...

For today’s Monday Minutes, Tom discusses laws that will take effect in 2021 on the state and federal level. In states like Connecticut, new laws will require more police accountability, better training, and de-escalation tactics. In addition, over 20 states passed laws to raise the minimum wage. On the federal level, the use of a “real ID” will be required to board planes. Tom also touches on other laws that will address the rise ...

For today’s Monday Minutes, Tom discusses what the Supreme Court’s shadow docket is and how it works. The shadow docket allows for a fast track set up intended for emergencies. A litigant goes before a singular justice and asks that justice to take the case before the rest of the court. It can avoid public discussions, written opinions and advice to lower courts. During the Trump administration, its use has increased by 20x, causin...