Thursday of this week marks the 75th anniversary of the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion.*
What if your
brand is your most valuable asset?
A marketing company that already owns the trademark and
licensing rights to famous figures, like Muhammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe,
bought the licensing rights to Sports
Illustrated. The magazine will continue to be published by the
current owner. This deal makes the point we have often stated here: your
intellectual property may be your most valuable asset. Don’t overlook it, and
protect it. Record labels know this, and continue to win in take
down fights with creators on YouTube. Musicians have not been so
lucky in collecting from Spotify.
Reports of bad metadata may mean billions in royalties remain unpaid.
If you need assistance in valuing or protecting your
intellectual property, consult with the experts at Asterion for guidance.
Ponzi schemes will always be with us
Even though the rule seems simple—if it sounds too good to be
true, it probably is—Ponzi schemes continue to surface. Recent investigations
include claims against the clerks in a UPS store and a major U.S. landlord. The
clerks have been accused of notarizing blank timber deeds to further a Ponzi scheme.
The landlord has been charged with running a mortgage fraud involving
multi-family properties across 14 states.
Asterion’s certified fraud examiners have extensive
experience in unraveling Ponzi schemes. If you think you may be caught up in a
fraud, we may be able to assist you.
FYI
The U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision in Mission Products Holdings, Inc. v. Tempnology LLC.
A bankrupt’s power to rescind contracts in bankruptcy has
been narrowed.
Trends
We’re Watching
Doctor’s
earnings: Are high salaries really kickbacks? (If you are concerned
about payments to healthcare professionals, Asterion can help.)
On the Lighter Side: A few surprising food facts
If you can make chocolate, you can make concrete; and Caesar salad wasn’t created in Italy.
What’s Puzzling Us: There are people who actually enjoy running late for a flight; but when you rush, you may end up leaving money behind.
The Thread Recommends: Settling into summer by watching fireflies synchronize their lights.
Spotlight on Intellectual Property
Asterion has extensive experience in the provision of expert and commercial advice related to the financial and economic issues surrounding Intellectual Property (“IP”).