Iowa Popeyes Battle: When Franchisees Refuse to Leave
Brett Trout In September 2025, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, LLC filed a federal lawsuit in Iowa against former franchisee Asif Poonja and Jam Equities, et al, alleging unauthorized continued use of Popeyes’ branding after termination of their franchise agreements. Although the five restaurants in this case are all located in Iowa (Des Moines, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Dubuque), Popeyes […]
There is a New Sheriff in Town: USPTO Director Pushes Hard for Patenting AI-related Inventions
Brett Trout In a major shift that could shape the future of artificial intelligence innovation, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director Kathi Vidal has been joined by newly appointed agency director John Squires in taking a strong stand in support of patent protection for AI technologies. Squires recently made headlines for pushing back against […]
Leveraging the Latest Patent Office Policies in Your Favor
Brett Trout If you are an inventor, entrepreneur, or startup with a technical idea, the good news is that a recent shift in United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) policy limits how third-parties can attack your patents. The even better news is that this new policy shift can make a patent drafted today stronger than one […]
Why State AI Laws Are Hurting Innovation and Your Bottom Line
Brett Trout Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we work and live. But instead of helping businesses make the most of this new tool, states like California, Texas, Utah, and Colorado are putting up roadblocks. Their new AI laws are confusing, expensive to follow, and could stop companies from using helpful AI tools to […]
Why You Need an AI Policy
Brett Trout Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a theoretical business tool. It is a real tool your employees are likely using today. Whether it is for writing emails, summarizing documents, or analyzing data, AI is quickly becoming a daily part of business. But without clear rules in place, it is also becoming a serious […]
How to Move Your Patent Application to the Front of the Line
Brett Trout If you have already filed a patent application, you likely want to get it examined as soon as possible. Fortunately, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has introduced a new option to help you do exactly that. In this post I will walk you through how to take advantage of this […]