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London, United Kingdom – 2013, May – An astounding 4.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the premier of the third season of the Game of Thrones, but they weren’t the only viewers watching the show. According to Torrent Freak, approximately 1 million additional viewers also downloaded the show through torrents with up to 160,000 people sharing downloads simultaneously. Unsurprisingly, most of the torrent download requests came from people in the U.S. and U.K.
The reaction of HBO came as a surprise to many. Rather than denounce the illegal downloads, Michael Lombardo, the network’s programming president, made the statement that the incredible number of downloads of the show was actually “a compliment of sorts.” He is also quoted as saying that downloads of prior seasons “certainly didn’t negatively impact the DVD sales.”
Additionally, a study published by the European Commission Joint Research Centre concluded that pirated music does not harm legitimate music sales, and  after studying a sample of 16,000 Europeans, the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies stated that freely streamed music may actually result in boosted sales figures for the music industry.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) expressed doubt about the legitimacy of the research of both organisations and said that, “The findings seem disconnected from commercial reality.” Regardless of whether the research findings are right or wrong, the piracy of movies, music and intellectual property is illegal, and, in general, most can agree that people are entitled to own the products of their labors.
Shireen Smith, founder of Azrights, best-selling author and an intellectual property and social media specialist, has stated, “The Internet is a wonderful tool that impacts many aspects of society, business and law. Whilst I understand that it’s important for the Internet to be “free,” that does not necessarily mean that everything on it is supposed to be free.”
The U.K. has already taken steps to try to limit piracy and copyright infringement. In 2012, the government established the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which grants owners of trademarked and copyrighted goods the right to request that Google take down sites that are pirating their property. A record number of takedown requests, 51.3 million, were received in 2012 alone. Firms like Azrights that specialise in intellectual rights as it pertains to online businesses and social networking may be especially impacted as the law is clarified and new methods of enforcement are developed.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the actor who plays Jamie Lannister in Game of thrones, gave a very accurate description of Internet piracy when he said, “At the end of the day it’s stealing. I know it doesn’t feel like it but it is and it’s not right.”
Legally Branded is a new title by Shireen Smith of Azrights Solicitors, which fills a gap in the market by providing accessible, and easy to understand explanations about intellectual property law and brand law for business owners.
Azrights Solicitors is pleased to announce that pre-publication copies of Legally Branded, are available for review. The general release is on September 11th, with the book currently available for pre-order on Amazon.
 In her book, Legally Branded, lawyer Shireen Smith, founder of Azrights Solicitors, a niche IP and Internet law firm, gives essential guidance to small business owners on the laws relevant to brands and online business.
‘I wrote the book as there are currently no accessible books for business owners on the legal aspects of branding’ Shireen said ‘For example, there is a world of difference between suggestive names and names that describe a product or service. Business owners should know that suggestive names are desirable brand names, and that descriptive names should be avoided at all costs’
Using insights from the book, business owners will be better equipped to avoid common problems, such as having to rebrand for infringing on the rights of others, or having inadequate branding that fails to serve their long term entrepreneurial dreams.
The book addresses:
- how to avoid infringing on the copyright, and design rights of others
- the most effective ways to use domain names and search engine optimisation
- why it’s important to ‘own’ names, logos, slogans, designs and innovations, and how to go about this
- how to retain the rights you need when engaging staff or outsourcing
- when to avoid making information public so you don’t lose valuable rights
- how to manage your reputation in the digital word-of-mouth environment of social media
- how to recover domain names registered by others which incorporate your brand name
- what not to do if you want to avoid litigation for passing off or infringing on others rights
- how to create and maintain a successful online brand
Shireen Smith is an experienced lawyer in the field of Intellectual Property and Internet law. Before founding Azrights Solicitors, she had extensive experience both in private practice and in industry, having held positions at Coopers & Lybrand, Reuters and Eversheds. Shireen completed a Masters degree in IP law at London University’s QMW in 1996, when QMW was one the foremost place to study the subject. She has written numerous articles on IP branding issues, including contributing a chapter to Bloomsbury’s recent publications Reputation Management Building and Protecting Your Company’s Profile in the Digital World. Shireen has also delivered Masterclasses in IP branding at LSE’s Entrepreneurship unit and delivered workshops at the British Library’s Business and IP Centre for two years between 2008 and 2010.
 The British Library has been booked as the venue for celebrating the publication of Legally Branded. It is an appropriate venue given that Shireen used to give workshops at the BIPC. At the book launch Shireen Smith will be signing copies of the book and will also give a brief talk introducing the book. She will be joined by some special guests, who will be announced at a later date.
As well as the launch at the British Library, there will be a virtual launch accessible to people wherever they are in the world. A live video stream from the main event itself is on the cards, as is a podcast interview of the author to be released in the week leading up to the launch.
The details of the events are still being planned, and in the meantime, save the date in your diary and join Shireen, either virtually or in person, on the 11th September to celebrate the launch of Legally Branded.
For additional information or further news about the release of Legally Branded please contact Shireen Smith on 020 7700 1414 or visit www.legallybranded.co.uk
In July, Shireen Smith will be giving a talk on Securing and Protecting Rights in Trade Marks and Designs. Knowing how to protect trade marks and designs is a key part of the role of the IP adviser, particularly in fast changing times. This one day conference brings together a team of expert advisers to provide guidance on the current problem areas, and help in deciding how to proceed.
Read the brochure to find out more about the event.
In June, Shireen Smith will be giving a conference on Checking Website Design and Content. This conference comprehensively covers the biggest issues you need to know about to ensure that the very real risks of maintaining an online presence are kept at a minimum.
Topics to be covered comprise:
• Website payment issues: PCI DSS compliance
• Legal aspects of usability
• Key IPR considerations
• Copyright– contractual and other issues
• Key IT Issues
• Data protection practicalities
Read the brochure to find out more about the event.
Shireen Smith and Stefano Debolini will be speaking on the subject of copyright enforcement online. The talk will cover modern approaches to dealing with the unique difficulties presented when copyright material is made available online, also delving into some of the more relevant technical issues in connection with anonymity. Follow the link below to register your interest:
http://www.ip-brands.com/teleseminar-registration.aspx
In a UK first, Azrights Solicitors has developed a ‘virtual’ trade mark registration service for use by other law firms.
For a small fee, law firms can sign up for a ‘white label’ trademark registration service, where all work is undertaken by intellectual property specialist solicitors Azrights.
Firms keep control by having web-based remote access to their client’s files, while a dedicated web site provides firms with standard letters of engagement, factsheets and other tools available to help them market the service to clients.
Shireen Smith of Azrights said:
“Increasingly company lawyers are required to complete trademark work as part of corporate deals, while a lot of IP firms simply don’t do trademark registration. Our service fills a gap in the marketplace and allows law firms the luxury of adding a ‘virtual trademark registration department’ to their practice.
“We offer a seamless and simple solution, giving remote access to client files via a Sharepoint system hosted by Microsoft in the Cloud. As far as the client is concerned, the relationship remains with the main law firm.”
Contact
Shireen Smith on 020 7700 1414 or info@azrights.co.uk
Notes to Editors
The service does not require law firms to get involved in forwarding emails or letters. All emails are sent out using their domain address, and written on notepaper using their own letterhead.
About Azrights
Azrights Solicitors, based in Islington, London, are a specialist Intellectual Property and Internet law firm providing International trademark registration and other IP services. For further information visit http://www.ip-brands.com/ or read our earlier press release here.
 In this Webinar, Shireen Smith covers what's involved when creating an outstanding online brand, so that you can get to grips with the issues before you commission your website.
The first part of the webinar is available as a free video, and will help aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners or managers wanting to start or grow an online presence. The material is also relevant to lawyers, web designers, developers, or internet marketers who help businesses with their visibility online.
Watch the video now to avoid mistakes that cost time and money, and hold you back from establishing an online brand that attracts enquiries. The video explains in an easy to understand way, some of the legal issues to be aware of, including essential contract and copyright matters, trademarks and the significance of the domain or brand name you choose for your online success and brand protection.
You will get a clear undertstanding of how to go about achieving a presence that's in line with your marketing and business objectives, and that is legally compliant.
Register for the password, and to receive our newsletter, using the form below:
EVENT CANCELLED
In April, Shireen Smith will be giving a conference on Marketing and Brand Development for Law Firms. This conference will discuss the future of the legal profession and “How can law firms market and brand themselves to thrive in the new business environment?”. Follow the link to book your place now or read the brochure to find out more about the event.
http://branding-lawfirms.com/
Azrights Solicitors is the first UK law firm to devise a white labelled trademark registration service for other law firms. The Azrights solution is completely seamless, giving remote access to client files. As far as the client is concerned, the law firm it has the relationship with is providing the service – yet the firm does none of the work, and is free of duties such as email or letter forwarding that characterise some services currently attempting to offer white labelling.
(PRWeb UK) January 11, 2011 Continue reading Azrights Unveils a Solution to Give Law Firms Their Own Virtual Trade Mark Registration Department
Shireen Smith will be speaking on the impact that Web 2.0 and Social Media have had on the business world. The talk will also cover the risks associated with taking a business online, how these can be managed, and the importance of monitoring and protecting brands on the Internet. Read the brochure to find out more about the event.
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