China Trademark and Patent Law Office - CTPLO

Based in Hangzhou, China and founded in 2004, the China Trademark and Patent Law Office Limited (CTPLO) is one of the leading IP law offices in China. CTPLO was created in order to provide marketing and trademark services for both small and large businesses through the simplest process possible. Founded by Mr. Joe Shen, the CTPLO provides creative solutions in regards to brand infringements and trademark related matters.

Mr. Joe Shen, President of CTPLO, has had over ten years of experience with Trademark law and is knowledgeable in the following areas: trademark search, registration, review, opposition, defense, and negotiation. In order to get a clearer view of his practices and focus, you can visit the CTPLO website. Mr. Shen personally counsels and advises his clients in regards to patent and copyrights.

CTPLO aims to minimize and eliminate any and all threats that may affect their client’s portfolio. In order to do this, CTPLO provides quick and responsive service as well as bilingual legal services for international clients. CTPLO’s primary goal is to establish and maintain long-term relationships with all clients. Their current clientele include the following brands and industries: Lemforder, Tommy Bahama, Isomers, Aston Villa FC, Fulham FC, Serge Blanco, to name a few.

Learn more about the services provided by CTPLO by visiting their website.

Judge says court battle over giant emerald can proceed

A Los Angeles judge has ruled a trial can go forward to determine ownership of an emerald weighing 840 pounds that was hauled out of a Brazilian mine more than a decade ago.
 
The 180,000-carat emerald is at the center of a court battle between gem traders, miners, real estate tycoons and others vying for the jewel once valued at $372 million.

The latest claim to ownership came from the Brazil government, which wants the gem returned to its country of origin.

The Los Angeles Times reports Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson said this week a motion by Brazil lacked sufficient evidence to warrant halting the case.

The jewel known as the Bahia Emerald is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Ex-UBS banker pleads guilty in US tax evasion case

A former executive at Swiss bank UBS AG has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge as part of a long-running U.S. investigation into tax evasion using secret accounts.

Hansruedi Schumacher entered the plea Thursday before a Florida federal judge. Schumacher is cooperating in the investigation and in return, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of five years' probation and a $150,000 fine.

Schumacher admitted in court papers that while at UBS and a second Swiss bank from 1995 to 2009 he helped wealthy U.S. citizens escape the Internal Revenue Service using secret offshore accounts.

Several other bankers and dozens of customers have been prosecuted. UBS itself paid a $780 million fine to the U.S. in 2009 and agreed to disclose names of thousands of its American customers.

NC Appeals Court says DOT must pay landowners

The North Carolina Court of Appeals says the state transportation department must pay some landowners whose property is in the path of a proposed road in Forsyth County.
 
Multiple media outlets reported that a three-judge panel of the court ruled Tuesday that a lower court was wrong to refuse to hear a lawsuit by 11 landowners who said the state's designation of their land in the proposed road's path hurt their property values.

There is no indication when the road might be built.

The 11 landowners say the state's designation of their property in the path of the planned road limits what they can do with the land.

The state attorney general's office is consulting with transportation officials on the ruling. They could appeal to the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Republicans welcome court decision in immigration lawsuit

House Speaker John Boehner says a federal judge's ruling temporarily blocking President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration underscores that he acted beyond his authority.
 
In a statement Tuesday, the Ohio Republican said the ruling by a Texas judge was no surprise, citing Obama's repeated comments about the limits of his authority. Boehner said he hoped that Senate Democrats will relent in their opposition to a Homeland Security Department spending bill that overturns Obama's actions to spare millions of immigrants from deportation.

The department's funding expires Feb. 27 and Congress has only a few legislative days to act.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said in a statement that he hoped Obama obeys the court's ruling. The Justice Department has said it would appeal.

Canadian court approves Target to begin liquidating

Target Canada has received court approval to begin liquidating its stock.

The U.S.-based retailer announced last month that it would close all 133 of its Canadian stores and lay off more than 17,000 staff, just two years after it began opening stores in Canada.

Target received the go ahead to liquidate beginning on Thursday following a hearing Wednesday.

Already many Target stores have stopped carrying perishables such as milk, eggs and frozen foods, Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said.

In addition to remaining inventory, Target's shelving, fixtures and equipment will also be sold.

The company took over old Zellers locations and began to open under the Target banner in Canada for the first time in March 2013, but failed to deliver on customer expectations.

Court dismisses 3rd lawsuit against hen cage law

A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld a decision to dismiss a lawsuit by a farmer that challenged a law banning the inhumane confinement of egg-laying hens.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the 2012 decision by a lower court to throw out the lawsuit by egg farmer William Cramer. Cramer's lawsuit said the law is unconstitutionally vague.

It's the third time courts have rejected lawsuits by egg farmers against California's landmark Proposition 2.

"We are thrilled that the court sided with the millions of California voters who supported this measure and chose to end extreme and reckless factory farming practices," said Jonathan Lovvorn, senior vice president and chief counsel for animal protection litigation for the Humane Society of the United States.

The initiative approved in 2008 bans the inhumane confinement of egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and veal calves in cages so small the animals cannot stretch their limbs, lie down or turn around.Since its passage, farmers have complained that the measure lacks specific language designating appropriate cage size and as a result puts them at risk of misdemeanor charges and fines up to $1,000.

In addition, they say they are on the hook for millions of dollars in upgrades but can't get bank loans without knowing whether new cages will be in compliance.