Intellectual property in the digital world

The digital world is a vast, Amazonian river of intellectual property (IP)—software, brands, photos, video clips, music, guest information, guest reviews—flowing quickly in every direction. Almost any significant issue arising in this space highlights the juxtaposition between an IP owner’s desire—in some cases legal obligation—to control and protect its content (i.e. intellectual property) with the desire to have content exposed to more and different consumers and potential consumers, across ever proliferating channels. Ruth Walters of the Seattle-based law firm Garvey Schubert Barer provides some valuable legal insights and advice for us in the hotel world.