Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
Strong relationship between extension of consumer credit and personal consumption
December 16, 2008
America must keep consumer liquidity flowing | search.ft.com
An econometric model estimation based on the period 1995 through 2008 shows that for every 1% decline in credit (revolving and non-revolving) measured in constant 1995 $s there would be a .4 of 1% decline in consumer spending. Similarly for every 1% decline in employment adjusted by real wages, there would be a nearly 1% decline. Thus a fall in employment compounded by a decline in credit extended would cut consumer spending by nearly 1.4%.
Trademarks do more than signify source
December 10, 2008
Trademarks help protect against consumer confusion | www.reporternews.com
The article is a decent first cut at an important element in brand building. Brands incorporate trademarks but are not the same. Trademarks signify source (that's why they are adjectives not nouns) but brands incorporate the history of a company, its reputation, customer service, quality etc. Often brands and trademarks are one and the same. As such they do more and are more important than merely selling product. They convey the entire message of a company. In addition, although some may not be aware, it is far easier to expand a trademark into additional products than it is to build a new one from the ground up. In these times, finding competative shelf space is made easier if the brand is already well known. Finally, in terms of protection, a cohesive, worldwide strategy to protect the brand is critical. Not only will such a strategy protect one of the major assets of a company; the money made from the sale of fakes goes to all the wrong people, in all the wrong places.
Trademarks: A Rose by any other name?
December 8, 2008
Trademarks help protect against consumer confusion | www.reporternews.com
Is a word that is Trademarked protected against use by anyone?What is the real value of a Trademark?
Lawyers and the Economy Crisis
December 4, 2008
Boutique firms well-positioned to ride it out | www.law.com
The economy crisis is a reality and it is a worldwide problem. Are lawyers in position to survive it and even take advantage of it?
Punitive Damages: SCOTUS to set a limit?
December 4, 2008
Altria Makes Third High Court Bid to Limit Damages for Smokers | www.bloomberg.com
Punitive damage awards may finally get some definitive guidelines?
Looming bankcard financial crisis undermines merchant interchange threats in US & EU
December 3, 2008
America must keep consumer liquidity flowing | search.ft.com
Meredith Whitney's prediction of an impending liquidity crisis for the bankcard industry is bad news not only for profit strapped banks but also merchants whose survival depends on card transactions. To revive faltering economies by getting consumers to spend again, bank regulators in the US and EU are unlikely to ignore merchant demands for massive reductions in interchange fees -- especially after infusing hundreds of billions of capital into the banking system. A more likely result is that they will oblige the bankcard industry by taking efforts to support the interchange status quo.
Federal Preemption: President Bush's Last Efforts
December 3, 2008
Shining a Light on 'Midnight Regulations' | www.law.com
Midnight Regulations equal flat out Federal Preemption?If some 21 midnight regulations are passed we may end up with basically immunity for many companies in State Court.
November 26, 2008
InterDigital ends patent dispute with Samsung | biz.yahoo.com
The news out today reports that Samsung and IDCC have settled their 3G patent dispute, at least until 2012. But the settlement does not as of yet give us a clear picture of who actually won.
November 25, 2008
TiVo shares fall on court delay in Dish suit | biz.yahoo.com
Another ruling, another delay for TiVo's long-running fight with Dish.
November 25, 2008
Spansion sues Samsung over flash memory patents | biz.yahoo.com
Spansion just filed suit against Samsung, putting forthe a variety of patent allegations and asking for a broad order banning products that incorporate Samsung technology. How should an investor analyze the fight?
Will Bilski Require Patent Holders to Re-evaluate Their Portfolios?
November 12, 2009
The Regulation of Online Games in China
October 30, 2009
Bankcard industry lobbies Congress to leave interchange fees alone
September 22, 2009
Fourth Amendment Protections for the Digital Age
August 29, 2009
Sexual Harassment Allegations Investigate Carefully
August 29, 2009