Entertainment : The Anchor Plate

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An•chor Plate

(`aeŋ·ker `plāt)

a metal plate fastened to the exterior of a brick building with a washer or tie rod to reinforce structural support, usually decorative

The An•chor•Plate

(`thē•æŋ-ker-`plāt)

a virtual gathering place for dialogue about the nature of practicing intellectual property law, to increase knowledge and to amuse

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"Attractive Nuisance" or "Acoustic Nuisance": Trademark Challenges and Rock Band Names

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Pete Salsich

I learned early on in my "musical career" (I love saying that!) that if I was willing to just play rhythm guitar, I always had a place in the band. That's me in the blue hat, playing with my law school band at the late, lamented King Louie's in St. Louis, before it was the elegant restaurant it later became.

Like many budding rockstars, we thought we sounded way better than we actually did, and we had to have a cool band name. Being dorky law students, we couldn't resist taking a name from Torts class: "Attractive Nuisance." That's right--as a band, we were a swimming pool without a fence.

Those fond memories of coolness came flooding back to me the other day when I saw this article in the ABA Journal about trademark challenges surrounding rock band names. Apparently all the cool band names have been taken by other bands, or else they are trademarks for some other class of goods or services, like Captain America. What's the next great band to do?

Tags: Entertainment, Music Business, Trademark

"Musical Prozac" -- The Angel Band Project

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Pete Salsich

Sometimes you get lucky and get to work on something that you just feel good about.

That's the case right now. We're helping some good friends with an amazing project that's all about turning horrible grief into something lasting and uplifting. Please check out The Angel Band Project -- a very special project and a cool blog, too.

This is a great example of talented, compassionate people coming together to create something bigger than themselves, and bigger than the tragedy that first devastated -- then motivated -- them. It is a powerfully moving tribute to a brave lost friend, to be sure, but it has also grown into much more than that. In part that's because of the fantastic mix of music being created, but also because of the charitable cause it will support.

Geoff and I are proud to be doing a small part, but many others are donating their time and talent as well -- just check out this latest post about last weekend's recording session in Chicago and all of the really cool people involved.

Want more information? You can read the Angel Band Project's blog, follow them on Twitter, or become a fan of their Facebook page. It's their story, not ours. Suffice to say that if you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, this project will be especially meaningful.

If you just love good music made well, then I bet you'll dig it, too.