A Virtual Reality Check – Oculus v. ZeniMax: Applying Copyright Law to VR

April 17, 2017

Steve Masur

On February 1, 2017, a Texas jury found Facebook subsidiary Oculus VR, Inc. liable for $500 million in damages in its dispute with ZeniMax over Oculus Rift, a virtual reality technology acquired by Facebook in 2014. The jury found...

“Cannabusiness” in the U.S.

March 27, 2017

Steve Masur

What’s Kosher, What’s Crowded, and What Will Get Crushed? As public opinion continues to shift in favor of legalizing marijuana and state legislatures respond accordingly, many people, including investment firms and financial analysts, believe that legalized cannabis and cannabis-related...

(Trade)Marking Your Territory

March 23, 2017

Josh Greenberg

A strong trademark or service mark can become a valuable asset for your business, so when you come up with a great name or memorable tagline for your product or service, it makes sense to register the trademark. Common...

I’ve Seen the Future, and It’s Voice Activated

March 20, 2017

Steve Masur

Smartphones are awesome. But aren’t you sick of looking at the tiny screen, especially if you wear glasses? A hundred times a day you stop in your tracks to navigate some groovy mobile interface to get a tiny piece...

New York Takes a Chance on a Game of Skill

March 6, 2017

Steve Masur

How the distinction between skill and chance gave rise to a billion-dollar industry In daily fantasy sports games, players are not placing “wagers” on the odds of winning based on the number of people playing; they’re paying “entry fees”...

Legal Alert: Don’t Forget To Pay Your Annual Business Taxes

April 5, 2018

Josh Greenberg

Many states require domestic corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships to pay an annual tax, known as franchise tax for corporations and annual tax or annual filing fee for LLCs and partnerships, for the privilege to do business and...

You, Me, and 83(b)

February 8, 2017

Josh Greenberg

Imagine you’re at a cocktail party with a circle of sophisticated, seasoned startup investors and you get caught in a conversation about 83(b) elections, finding yourself completely out of your depth. What you do next is critical: First, get...

Legal Alert for Online Service Providers

December 13, 2016

Josh Greenberg

On December 1, 2016, the U.S. Copyright Office rolled out its new electronic registration system and directory for registered agents under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”). This shift from paper filings to an online platform requires any service...

The Name of the Game is the Name Game

November 18, 2016

Michael Zussman

IP, New Business Models, War Stories

Our client, who makes virtual reality entertainment apps, forwarded an e-mail from a private investigator. “Is this for real?” they asked. The PI had offered to purchase their URL for 6 figures. The deal was so good that we...

Tax Benefits of Start Up NY

October 23, 2016

MGA

A New York business that has partnered with a college or university sponsoring the tax-free area in which the company seeks to locate and do business, and demonstrates that it will create new net jobs in its first year...

New Business Models for Streaming Music Services? I Choose Local Radio

July 23, 2016

Steve Masur

Law, Managed Risks, New Business Models

New music services seem always to try to differentiate with technology, and say that they have a totally new approach to discovery, or user acquisition.  I am so bored of hearing that, and it never makes any damn money....

Griffitts O’Hara LLP Partners With Masur and Zussman to Form Masur Griffitts + LLP

July 1, 2016

MGA

Robert Griffitts and Mary O’Hara have partnered with Steven Masur and Michael Zussman to form Masur Griffitts + LLP. This new law firm is committed to crafting legal solutions for technology and service-driven companies and operate in every industry, including technology,...