The Mermaid Lawyer

11/23/2025

It was truly inspiring to be part of the Music Biz Club event—huge thank you to Ajani Griffith for the thoughtful interview and for creating space for these important conversations. 🎤✨

Every collaboration and creative situation is unique. That’s why it’s critical to work with an experienced intellectual property attorney who can help you secure your rights and draft the agreements that genuinely reflect the intentions of everyone involved.

Protect the work. Protect the relationship. Protect the future. 💼🖋️

11/03/2025

From Panama tides to Honduras vibes 🌊 — The Mermaid Lawyer® is back for another North American Law Summit!

Flashing back to last year’s panels, parties, dinners, talent show, excursions, and adventures with my favorite legal minds (and partners-in-fun) — some friendships going strong for almost 20 years! 💙

Ready to dive into another week of brilliant ideas, beach breezes, and lifelong connections. ✨⚖️

10/23/2025

🧜‍♀️✨Here I am — The Mermaid Lawyer® — in my real silicone tail, swimming in the actual ocean 🌊

Yes, this photo is 100% real, not AI-generated.

As a copyright attorney, I care deeply about that difference — because when you use AI to create art, you’re not the full author under U.S. copyright law.

The U.S. Copyright Office has been clear:

💡Works “produced by a machine” that lack human authorship can’t be copyrighted.

💡Using AI as your tool is fine — but if the AI creates the expressive elements, you don’t own the whole work.

Humans can only claim copyright in the portions they created —
which makes recourse far more challenging if that work is ever infringed. ⚖️

So yes, this mermaid photo represents more than a fun brand image — it’s a reminder:

➡️Human creativity still rules the ocean of ideas.



📸 by

10/22/2025

🧜‍♀️ Hey brand-builders! The Mermaid Lawyer®️ here with a splash of trademark wisdom:

Registering doesn’t give you rights in every category — only in the classes you file for.

1️⃣ You can’t monopolize every class.
Trademark protection is class-specific. There are 45 classes — if you file in Class 28 (toys), that doesn’t cover registration in Class 16 (books).

2️⃣ Identical marks can sometimes co-exist.
Different owners can use the same mark in unrelated industries. (Sometimes - not always.) Example: “SHELLS” is registered by different owners for a seafood restaurant (Class 42) and for pretzels (Class 30). 🐚🥨

Takeaway: Filing early and first helps you avoid conflicts and refusals later.

3️⃣ Why filing early matters.
Even though the U.S. is first-to-use, registration gives stronger nationwide rights, easier enforcement, and fewer headaches if someone files before you.

✅ The Mermaid Lawyer®️ Checklist
- List goods/services you use or plan to use — file in all relevant classes.
- Run a clearance search before investing in packaging or marketing.
- File early to prevent expensive waves later.
- Keep up with renewals to keep your registration alive.

🎯 Bottom line: Don’t leave your mark adrift in the sea of brands. File early, file smart, and claim your corner of the ocean. 🌊⚖️



📸 by Darren Joshua Photography and Mermaid Elle

10/21/2025

💭Just because I’m laid back doesn’t mean your trademark strategy should be.

Too many businesses get too comfortable — waiting to file or trusting a quick online service — only to find out later that someone else filed first, or that their DIY application missed something critical.

What feels “easy” now can cost you thousands later in rebranding, litigation, or lost rights.

🛋️So yes, relax… but not about your intellectual property.



📸 by Darren Joshua Photography and Mermaid Elle

10/20/2025

🏖️ Rescue is cute, but prevention is hotter.

Don’t wait for the rescue — know your contracts, protect your rights, and avoid the drama.

When you hire someone to create a work — whether it’s a design, photo, song, or code — the details in your contract determine who actually owns it.
⚖️ Is it a work made for hire, or an assignment? The difference can decide who is the author on the copyright registration and how long the rights are owned long after the work is done.

With the rise of AI-generated content, understanding authorship, ownership, warranties, and indemnification clauses is more important than ever. A few clear terms upfront can help you avoid costly copyright disputes later.

Prevention really is the hottest protection strategy there is. ☀️

10/19/2025

We all need renewal to stay fresh, faithful, and optimal. Even trademarks need renewal to stay alive. After registration, trademark owners must file maintenance documents in the USPTO between the 5th and 6th year — or risk cancellation.

Whether it’s faith, focus, or federal filings — renewal keeps everything in motion. 🤍🙏💼



📸 Brandee Anthony Media

04/24/2023

Swimming with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment was an absolute delight! As a guest webinar speaker, I had the pleasure of sharing my knowledge with its members.

One of the most impressive things about WIT is their vast membership. With chapters spanning the globe, this organization is making waves in the industry.

They're a force to be reckoned with, and their passion for toys, licensing, and entertainment is contagious.

If you're looking to dive into the world of toys, licensing of any product, and entertainment, I highly recommend becoming a member of WIT.

Not only will you have access to invaluable resources, but you'll also be part of a community that supports and encourages one another.

If you missed my webinar or would like to watch again, it’s now available in the WIT membership portal video library!

04/18/2023

✨Reminder✨ TODAY at 1pm EST, I’ll be hosting a landmark webinar with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment entitled Tinkering Like a Lawyer: A Summary of Key Issues In Toy and Entertainment Contracts.

Here is a sneak peak of the agenda:
🔱 A Cautionary Tail About Copyrights In The Absence of Contracts
🔱 How To Avoid Getting Caught In the Net: Copyright Clauses
🔱 A Deeper Dive Into Copyright Safety: Warranties & Indemnification Clauses
🔱 Protect Your “Booty” Contract Checklist
🔱 Wrap Up
🔱 Q&A

You don't want to miss these legal gems!

⚓ Click the link to anchor your spot! https://bit.ly/42VA6SV

04/15/2023

I’ll be making waves 🌊with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment this Tuesday, April 18 at 1pm during this landmark contracts webinar: Tinkering Like A Lawyer.

When it comes to contracts, it's important to pay attention to the finer details.

⚠️ There are several clauses that you need to be aware of!

Intellectual property (IP) clauses, indemnification clauses, accounting and auditing provisions, and prevailing party attorney fees, to name a few.

Did you know that the wording of these clauses can make a big difference?

Let's start with IP clauses. They can be worded in different ways, and you may end up giving up more than you realize (or getting less). It's like getting caught in a rip current - you don't want to be pulled under without realizing it.

If it's a work for hire agreement, the timing of when the contract is signed may also matter. Don't let these clauses sink your ship!

Indemnification clauses are like lifeboats - they can protect you from liability if something goes wrong.

However, if the wording isn't shipshape, you could end up taking on more responsibility than you should.

Like agreeing to indemnify the other party for things that are outside of your control or responsibility

When it comes to accounting and auditing provisions, you need to keep a keen eye out.

Are there statements and royalties owed? Which party has control and charts the course?

Make sure the language is clear and that you have the right to audit the financial records if necessary and at whose cost if errors are discovered.

Finally, let's talk about prevailing party attorney fees. If you don't have this clause in your contract, you could end up stranded on a deserted island with no way to recover your losses.

With this clause, the prevailing party in a contract dispute can recover their attorney fees and expenses from the other party.

It's like having a life preserver - it can keep you afloat.

In conclusion, don't let these clauses be a storm cloud on your horizon. Pay attention to the wording and make sure your contracts have all the necessary and correctly worded provisions.

🧭After all, it's better to be a captain who navigates with precision than a sailor who drifts aimlessly.

⛵ So, hoist the anchor and set sail with confidence!

If you’d like to learn more, I’ll be hosting a landmark webinar with Women In Toys, Entertainment & Licensing (WIT) this Tuesday, April 18 at noon!

⚓ Click the link to anchor your spot! https://bit.ly/42VA6SV

02/27/2023

“Catch me” Live at 5pm EST on the Streann Media page with Streann’s Founder and CEO Giovanni Punzo as we dive into my Entertainment and IP Law practice Charlotte Towne Law, why I transformed into The Mermaid Lawyer®️, and my other projects including the Nvoko music legal tech platform.

I met Gio the founder of this incredible media company - Streann - a few weeks ago at the Florida Venture Forum’s Florida Venture Capital Conference.

For everyone who is a content creator (which is virtually every business these days) Streann is a game changer!

With Streann, you can broadcast your “live” streams to multiple destinations at the same time like Facebook-Live, Twitter/Periscope, YouTube Live, Web, RTMP and other Apps.

They have so many other amazing features on their steaming video & audio platform to help businesses distribute, engage and monetize including a 100% white-label fully customizable OTT.

➡️You definitely do not want to miss this podcast: TODAY February 27th at 5pm!

📌 Join .punzo and Charlotte Towne, of The Mermaid Lawyer

LIVE on Streann’s page👊

The Streann Experience podcast LIVE using new podcasting technologies 🌍 powered by Streann Media



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02/23/2023

I have an alter ego - a secret identity.
And I'm not the only one.

Thousands of celebrities, athletes, and business leaders have adopted a persona to level up performance.

Examples include Beyonce, Kobe Bryant, Martin Luther King Jr., Lady Gaga, Adele, and Bo Jackson.

Beyonce created her alter ego Sasha Fierce to become a more confident performer.

Adopting an alter ego unlocks inhibitions and releases the superhero within.

There's even a book written by top performance coach Todd Herman called “The Alter Ego Effect - The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life.”

It's a transformative guide to finding and activating the hero within for better results.

Although the embodiment of a fictional persona (in my case - a mythical creature) may seem silly, its effectiveness is backed by research.

Adopting an alter ego is a strategic form of self-distancing.

Self-distancing gets us out of our heads and eliminates the blockages that interfere with being the best versions of ourselves.

Self-distancing regulates emotions and improves self-control.

My alter-ego boosts my determination and keeps me focused on my goals in the face of distraction.

Although I wasn't always “The Mermaid Lawyer”, the mermaid has always lived within me.

The Mermaid Lawyer®️ emerged after I had kids, which created inevitable distractions.

Additionally, one of my babies was born with a genetic condition, thereby adding an additional layer of complexity to my life.

My alter ego has been a survival mechanism.

With her help, I have powered through adversity like a superhero.

Once I let out my inner mermaid, she has infused my life with magic.

I am stronger, more joyful, and successful because of her.

She's been my creative inspiration and outlet.

As a trademarked brand, The Mermaid Lawyer®️ is an IP role model for my clients.

And, as pointed out in my video, she protects valuable IP treasure from pirates, sharks, and other sea villains.

Who else has an alter ego? Do you have one?