The Docket
Welcome to The Docket: The Legal Blog for Creatives & Entrepreneurs
The Docket is a curated legal blog from Zamani Thomas Legal, offering insights at the intersection of intellectual property, business, and culture. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, artist, or independent brand, this space breaks down legal topics that impact your work, from copyright and trademarks to contracts and brand protection.
Explore legal commentary, industry updates, and strategic guidance on intellectual property, entertainment law, and creative rights, designed to help clients, collaborators, and creatives navigate the evolving creative economy with clarity and confidence.
AI and Likeness Rights
January 6, 2025
AI and Likeness Rights | Impacts on Art, Photography, & the Future Integrating AI into sports and entertainment is rapidly transforming these industries. From enhancing fan experiences to revolutionizing content creation, AI and likeness rights are becoming a driving force (in particular, their intersection). However, its implications for art and photography, especially of athletes and
AI on the Legal Profession
January 6, 2025
AI Impact on the Legal Profession AI is in the midst of reshaping industries world wide; and the AI impact on the legal profession is no exception. While it offers many exciting possibilities like streamlining document review and the possibility of enhancing case outcome models, its integration into law comes with significant challenges. The American
Warhol Fair Use Ruling
May 19, 2023
Warhol Fair Use Ruling The importance of clarity when it comes to legal decisions that impact artists and creatives is essential in intellectual property analysis and practice. Today, I aim to provide you with an in-depth analysis of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the copyright dispute involving Andy Warhol and his portraits of Prince.
NIL Rules & Regulations
March 28, 2023
NIL Rules and Regulations If you’re a college athlete, you may have heard the term NIL (name, image, and likeness) thrown around a lot lately. It refers to the ability of college athletes to profit from their own name, image, and likeness. However, new NIL rules and regulations can be a bit confusing. In this
NFT vs Traditional Art
March 27, 2023
NFT vs Traditional Art 5 Essential Differences Between NFT vs Traditional Art When it comes to NFT vs traditional art and the legal issues surrounding intellectual property, there are many similarities. However, there are also some key differences that you need to be aware of if you are buying, selling, or creating either. In both
IP Crypto Protection
March 27, 2023
IP Crypto Protection (Updated for 2025) IP Crypto Protection in: Safeguarding Creative Rights in the Blockchain Era If you’re active in crypto, NFTs, or blockchain development, you probably already understand the importance of securing your digital assets. But in 2025, IP Crypto Protection has become just as crucial as securing your wallet or private key.
Avoiding Likelihood of Confusion
March 25, 2023
Avoiding Likelihood of Confusion in a Trademark Filing Are you struggling with a Likelihood of Confusion Office Action from the USPTO? Don’t worry, with the right approach, you can overcome this obstacle and secure your trademark registration. Here are some steps you can take to respond to the USPTO while avoiding likelihood of confusion office
Why to Trademark Your Brand
March 25, 2023
Why to Trademark Your Brand Understanding why to trademark your brand is essential for artists and creative entrepreneurs. Trademarking protects your name and work and helps secure long-term brand recognition, licensing opportunities, and international enforcement rights. According to the USPTO, trademarks help consumers identify and trust the source of creative products and services. Why to
Miss Calypso Reimagined
October 20, 2022
Maya Angelou-Miss Calypso Reimagined Maya Angelou-Miss Calypso Reimagined is an education-based multidisciplinary project (including students, faculty and practitioners). Working with Dr. Angelou’s grandson son Elliot Jones, and Thamiah Tutt, Director of the foundation, and Attorney Zamani Thomas. The project is centered around Dr. Angelou’s personal art collection. Using the art collection as the basis for
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