Practice Section

by mark nieds, esq.

The LCBA Intellectual Property Section is entering its second year and has expanded in membership and leadership. We welcome Holly McFall of SecureMark Legal as section co-chair and look forward to her input as we prepare for 2022. After a tremendous first year, in which we offered a CLE presentation on general IP concepts and welcomed local IP attorneys into the Section, we have much in store for the upcoming months. A glimpse into what the IP Section is planning includes CLE presentations on various topics starting with “Blockchain, NFTs and IP issues in the Crypto-world” (date TBD) to provide context, insight and an overview of this rapidly evolving area at the intersection of technology and law. The LCBA has always provided members with great local resources for collaboration and input outside their practice areas. Because IP is a specialized area that can present unique issues in many different situations and across different practice areas, the IP Section is also planning an early summer social and networking event where LCBA IP and non-IP attorneys can meet and exchange ideas.

Traditionally, the LCBA has also always been a valuable resource to businesses and individuals outside the legal profession. Following this spirit, the IP Section plans to extend our outreach to the broader community. For example, we plan to present general workshops on what companies should know about intellectual property, recognizing and protecting trade secrets, brand building and protection, and even IP issues for creative artists. Finally, given the entrepreneurial spirit that permeates SWFL and to help future inventors and innovators, IP section members are active with and available to local high school and college students to help them learn and understand how to protect what they create.

If you have any questions, suggestions for any discussion topics or wish to join the IP Section, please reach out to me at mark.nieds@henlaw.com or by phone at 239-344-1153.

Mark Nieds is a stockholder and chair of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.’s Intellectual Property Group. He concentrates his practice on domestic and international intellectual property and internet matters, including trademarks, copyright, trade secret protection, franchising, privacy, and data protection.