Due diligence in M&A must include a detailed examination of licenses and contracts that illuminate IP ownership

IPBlog and IP Value Wire offer frequent pieces on due diligence issues with respect to IP.  Failure to do so can be expensive and reputation-harming.

J.C. Penney, the troubled retailer that reported a 20% drop in sales last month, the first month of its new “everyday low prices” strategy, has attempted to stimulate sales by affiliating with popular brands, Martha Stewart Living chief amongst them. Late last week the New York Supreme Court issued a preliminary injunction against Martha Stewart Living that would prevent it from selling some of its products at troubled retailer J. C. Penney, agreeing with Macy’s’ contention that it has exclusive rights to certain categories of the brand until 2018.