The Docket Archive
Welcome to The Docket Archive, a curated collection of every insight, strategy, and thought piece shared through The Docket. Here, you’ll find all past and present posts from Zamani Thomas Legal, covering topics at the intersection of law, creativity, and culture.
Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or industry professional, this archive is your legal compass. Dive into a growing library of articles on intellectual property, entertainment law, creator rights, contract strategy, and more, written to empower, inform, and equip you to protect what you create.
Overcoming Likelihood of Confusion
March 25, 2023
How to Overcome a TM Likelihood of Confusion 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 a Likelihood of Confusion Office Action: Remember,
Why to Trademark Your Brand
March 25, 2023
Why to Trademark Your Brand Artists invest a lot of time, effort, and resources into building their brand, which sets them apart from others and makes them recognizable to their fans and customers. Trademarking is important for artists because it: Provides legal protection: Trademarks provide legal protection to the owners of brands and products by
Miss Calypso Reimagined
October 20, 2022
Miss Calypso Reimagined “Maya Reimagined” is an educational 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 the project,
Types of Music Royalties
May 9, 2019
Types of Music Royalties These royalties listed above are the main types in the United States and there may be others in other countries and jurisdictions. As with all issues in law, there are generally no one clear answer to certain issues and the circumstances are always of vital importance.
AfroChic Presents: INSPIRED
January 22, 2019
AfroChic Presents: INSPIRED On December 9th, 2018, the AfroChic team brought their vibrant creative vision to Miami for a cultural and educational experience during Art Basel. Hosted in Historic Overtown at the newly opened venue, The Urban, Art Basel Inspired showcased the intersection of art, heritage, and Black expression. As the attorney for the installation,
Trademark Filing Steps
December 17, 2018
5 Steps to a Successful Trademark Filing In this article I am going to try to outline 5 steps that will give you the best chance at a successful trademark filing with the United States Trademark & Patent Office (USPTO). 1. Make Sure you are the first to file your “mark” (or something too similar)
Afrochic Festival 2018
June 10, 2018
Afrochic Festival 2018 The 2018 AfroChic Festival, as profiled by BlogTO, was a bold and immersive celebration of Black creativity, identity, and community in Toronto. As the attorney for the project, I had the privilege of supporting the legal framework behind an event that fused art, fashion, and music with purpose. From curated installations to
Music Publishing Contracts
June 9, 2016
Music Publishing Contracts Single Song Agreement – Single song agreements are agreements that deal with specific compositions between the composer/producer and the publisher/label with respect to the rights over the composition. The services provided in these agreements are promotion, licensing, and distribution to name a few. Exclusive Song Writer Agreement – Exclusive Song Writer Agreements
Changing the NBA Rules
April 10, 2012
Changing the NBA Rules: What’s the Real Reason? Mark Cuban is suggesting that college players should stay in school for 3 years now instead of the mandatory 1 year they are currently required; reigniting the argument as to why the NBA, of all the professional work places around, deems it necessary for someone to go to