Lisa Landolt, Attorney & Counselor at Law

01/22/2026

Wonderful news! Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary on Bolivar Peninsula TX is now fully protected forever. The acquisition marks the culmination of a dedicated multi-year effort to protect the entire footprint of Bolivar Flats. This globally recognized sanctuary serves as a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of birds annually, providing essential habitat for nesting, wintering, and refueling during grueling migratory journeys along the Upper Texas Coast. The birds thank you!

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01/02/2026

January 1 is Public Domain Day! A public domain work is a creative material (like books, music, art) that isn't protected by copyright, trademark, or patent laws, meaning anyone can use it freely without permission or paying royalties, as the rights have expired, been forfeited, or never applied.

On January 1, 2026, thousands of copyrighted works from 1930 enter the US public domain, along with sound recordings from 1925. They will be free for all to copy, share, and build upon in your own creative works.

This year's public domain literary highlights range from William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying to Agatha Christie’s The Murder at the Vicarage and the first four Nancy Drew novels. From cartoons and comic strips, the characters Betty Boop, Pluto (originally named Rover), and Blondie and Dagwood made their first appearances.

Films from the year featured Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, the Marx Brothers, and John Wayne in his first leading role. Among the public domain compositions are I Got Rhythm, Georgia on My Mind, and Dream a Little Dream of Me. Also included are paintings from Piet Mondrian and Paul Klee.

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January 1, 2026 is Public Domain Day: Works from 1930 are open to all, as are sound recordings from 1925! By Jennifer Jenkins and James Boyle[1] CC BY 4.0 Please note that this site is only about US law; the copyright terms in other countries are different.[2] On January 1, 2026, thousands of copyri...

12/08/2025

Houston Audubon announced it reached its $3 million fundraising goal to purchase a final 27-acre tract next to the Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary—securing the land 27 days ahead of its Dec. 31 deadline. Without this effort, the marsh and mudflats that host millions of migratory birds each year could have been replaced with homes and roads.

Our many thanks to Carlis Donna Cole for her love of Bolivar and hard work to make this possible.

The land was at risk of being sold for beachfront homes.

12/06/2025

Nigel the Kangaroo's book, HOPS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD, is officially published! Hop over to Amazon and grab a copy!! ❤

https://www.amazon.com/Hops-Heard-Around-World-Kangaroo/dp/B0G2HSMSF3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=380KZA9JE6RH0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GXx_0CXNRkuYVK1rIsVNoFrvfHY6Tprl5u-gbx-sFGXGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps._TW8X0DeqNLXk3ks6MUpm-511kQFHKcga_SQRl5CAec&dib_tag=se&keywords=hops+heard+around+the+world&qid=1764991175&sprefix=hops+heard%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1

HOPS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD is based on a true story! Written from his own bouncy point of view, Nigel recounts his adventures when he escaped into the Texas wilderness and the rescue mission that captured hearts around the world!For kids and kangaroos of all ages! Nigel even helped with the illustrations! 🦘🦘🦘

Full Book Summary:

Based on a true story! Nigel is a real-life Triscuit-loving, movie-watching, cowboy hat-wearing pet kangaroo who lives in the house on his ranch in Granbury, Texas! He made the news headlines in 2023 when he escaped into the Texas wilderness, sparking an incredible rescue mission that captured hearts around the world. HOPS HEARD AROUND THE WORLD recounts his amazing adventure told from Nigel's own bouncy point of view.

On his exciting quest to return home, Nigel is introduced to wild animals and meets unexpected friends. The animals learn how to overcome obstacles and discover that true greatness comes from within. This inspirational story with a one-of-a-kind kangaroo hero celebrates courage, friendship, and the wonderful bond between animals and their human families. Young readers (and their parents) will love learning about kangaroos and other animals as they embark on this wonderful journey of a lifetime.

You will laugh and cheer as you hop along with Nigel from the very first page!

Reading level: ages 6-8
Story level: for kids and kangaroos of all ages!

09/13/2025

Are you a landowner interested in Wetland Mitigation Banking? Wetland mitigation banking is a system in which landowners restore, create, enhance, or preserve wetlands to generate “mitigation credits.” These credits can be sold to developers or other parties who are required by law to offset the environmental impacts of building on or altering protected wetlands. By purchasing credits, developers satisfy regulatory requirements while ensuring that equivalent wetland resources are conserved, restored, or established at another location.

View Programs and Tools which may be Utilized for Mitigation Bank Development Who can Create a Mitigation Bank? Mitigation banking can be a successful tool for replacing wetland and habitat function lost as the result of development activities. Creating a mitigation bank is a complex process. Ideal....

04/12/2025

What can your favorite UGGs teach us about Intellectual Property Law? Always check your logo, mark, or slogan with the USPTO (or an attorney) to make sure you can legally use it. A trademark can protect any word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination of these elements that identifies and distinguishes your goods or services from those of others. This includes company names, product names, logos, slogans, and even sounds, colors, or scents, as long as they are used commercially and are distinctive. Using another person's or company's trademark can be costly!

The original Australian ugg boot maker is being forced to change its name following a bitter lawsuit with the US corporation that owns the trademark for the name 'Ugg'.Family-run business, Ugg Since 1974, has been in the lengthy battle with the American brand, Ugg, accusing them of copyright-related...

09/04/2023

The US Copyright Office needs your opinion on Copyright Law and its application to AI.

This is so important with the continued innovations with AI. AI generators are arguing their creations from existing works do not violate Copyright Law (remember Copyright protection also precludes derivative use) but instead are allowed under the Fair Use Doctrine. This whole situation is going to impact far more than just literary works, but music and art, as well as all works of creative expression. Please let the US Copyright Office know your thoughts!

https://www.copyright.gov/policy/artificial-intelligence/comment-submission

If you would like more information on the current issues with Copyright Law and AI, here is a good video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IVp02l2U5Cg

Artificial Intelligence Study

08/22/2023

Remember the monkey who took the selfie photo? Same result from the court. In order to receive copyright protection, you must be human. AI generated artistic expression cannot be receive copyright protection.

A federal judge ruled against an attempt to have an AI-generated artwork copyrighted, saying "human authorship is a bedrock requirement."

08/08/2023

Big news in the Traditional Publishing world: Paramount has agreed to sell Simon & Schuster to KKR, a private equity firm. It will be interesting to see the changes!

"Paramount said on Monday it had reached a deal to sell Simon & Schuster, one of the biggest and most prestigious publishing houses in the United States, to the private-equity firm KKR, in a major changing of the guard in the book business."

The deal, for $1.62 billion, will put control of a cultural touchstone in the hands of a financial buyer.

07/26/2023

Buck-IIs and a Gopher? The Intellectual Property attorneys are already circling like vultures. You cannot use a trademarked name or character that would cause a likelihood of confusion about if the business is owned by the same source. Buc-ee's owns over 60 trademarks and has sued (and won) against companies using even far less similar names and animal characters.

"Buc-ee's will not stand as an idle spectator while others use without permission the intellectual property that Buc-ee's has cultivated for decades."

Buc-ee's isn't happy with the 'BUK-II'S' store.

06/10/2022

TOP GUN COPYRIGHT LAWSUIT: Have you seen Top Gun: Maverick yet? Paramount Studios is being sued for copyright infringement over "Top Gun" by the family of the author whose article inspired the 1986 film.

In a complaint filed in California federal court Monday, the heirs to Ehud Yonay's 1983 article, "Top Guns," state the film distribution company did not reacquire the rights for the recently released sequel, "Top Gun: Maverick." They sent a Notice of Termination to Paramount stating that the rights reverted back to them in January 2020. Due to numerous delays, production on "Top Gun: Maverick" did not finish until May 2021, over a year after the rights allegedly terminated.

Paramount Studios is being sued for copyright infringement over "Top Gun" by the family of the author whose article inspired the 1986 film.