In the vast expanse of the internet, where legality and subterfuge collide, lies a peculiar island inhabited by pirates—the realm of User-Agent strings. These seemingly innocuous snippets of information play a pivotal role in the cat-and-mouse game between copyright enforcement and illicit content providers. What are User-Agent strings? Picture your web browser as an ambassador visiting foreign shores. Upon arrival at a website, it extends a formal introduction: “I am Mozilla Firefox on Windows” or “Greetings, I am Safari on an iPhone.” Encoded in the User-Agent string, this introduction revea ..read more

Online gaming has emerged as a global phenomenon, captivating millions of players around the world. Yet, amidst the exhilarating virtual worlds and immersive gameplay experiences lies a shadowy practice that threatens the very foundation of the gaming industry: credential sharing. Imagine this: you purchase a subscription to your favorite gaming platform, eagerly anticipating endless hours of adventure and competition. But instead of logging in solely with your credentials, you share your username and password with friends or family, unwittingly granting them access to premium content without ..read more

Elkem ASA has carved a niche for itself as a global leader in the production of advanced silicon and silicone-based materials, playing a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future.  With an impressive portfolio of over 1,200 live trademarks across 102 families, and about 900 live patents in 42 families, Elkem’s innovations serve a vast range of industries. From construction to metal production, and various silicone applications such as medical implants, sealants, and baking utensils, the company’s operations span the globe. In this conversation with Karen Rivera, Elkem ASA’s Tradem ..read more

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a pivotal regulation by the European Union designed to regulate internet service providers and intermediaries. Effective from November 16, 2022, with full implementation of its transparency reporting measures on February 17, 2024, the DSA has a global reach, affecting service providers both within and outside the EU. The primary aim of this legislation is to ensure compliance with EU laws, but it also introduces new considerations for brands and platforms in terms of how they operate and interact with these regulations. To provide clarity on this complex subje ..read more

As brands navigate the world of online sales, they often encounter the challenge of copyright infringements. This critical issue should not be ignored, as it not only undermines the value and integrity of a brand but also affects consumer trust.  When it comes to eBay copyright infringements, the global marketplace recognizes the significance of the issue. The good news is that eBay has established clear policies and processes to help combat unauthorized use of copyrighted material. For brands, understanding and utilizing eBay’s reporting systems is essential for protecting their intellec ..read more

TikTok trends come and go, but some have more staying power than others. One popular community that has emerged on the social platform is RepTok, the name for a growing segment dedicated to replica products and counterfeit sales.  This phenomenon has caught the attention of brands and consumers alike, as users share and discover replicas of high-demand products. With TikTok’s expansive reach – boasting millions of active users – understanding and addressing RepTok has become crucial for brands that want to protect their integrity and customer trust.  In this article, we will delve in ..read more

In today’s fiercely competitive business environment, securing intellectual property (IP) rights is essential for companies striving for innovation and market dominance. The Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership (PREVAIL) Act is an important legislative proposal that has the potential to revamp patent protection in the United States.  As patent rights play a pivotal role in safeguarding innovation and fostering economic growth, understanding the intricacies of this legislation is important for businesses seeking to maintain their competitive edge. In t ..read more

Today, the freemium business model has become increasingly popular within the software industry. It is convenient for consumers and it has proved to be rewarding for many software companies.  Unfortunately, the convenience and profitability of freemium software have also attracted many digital pirates. Freemium software piracy is now a major threat to software companies and consumers. So, what is the impact of freemium software piracy and how do you prevent this alarming trend from damaging your software business? In this blog, we explore freemium software piracy and how to combat it by h ..read more

Piracy in gaming has been around for as long as games have existed. Digital piracy is ubiquitous within the industry for console, PC, and especially mobile games. Today, piracy in gaming has more to do with artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology than selling bootleg discs out of car trunks. In recent years, free-to-play games (F2P) have gained popularity, with 36% of game developers focused on free-to-play projects.  Despite what the name may suggest, the free-to-play arena is exceedingly lucrative – in 2023 the global F2P mobile gaming market is worth over $83 billion alone ..read more

DHgate, a major player in the realm of online marketplaces, finds itself suffering from the unfortunate, widespread issue of intellectual property infringement. Despite being a legitimate and well-known selling platform, DHGate can unintentionally become host to a myriad of counterfeit items among its vast product listings. The good news is that the marketplace is not exempt from legal obligations. So brand owners need to assert their intellectual property rights and empower themselves by taking decisive action to remove fake products from DHgate of items. Here’s how it’s done. Step 1) Prepar ..read more