A federal court just answered a question that millions of AI users probably never thought to ask: Can the things you tell your AI be used against you in court?
The answer, at least for now, is yes.
What Happened in the Heppner Case
In United States v. Heppner, decided February 17, 2026, the United States District Court for the
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The Five Things Buyers Miss in a Business Acquisition (That Cost Them Later)
Buying a business is one of the most significant financial decisions a person can make. You’ve found a business that looks right — the revenue is there, the owner is motivated to sell, and you can already picture yourself running it. The excitement is real.
So is the risk.
In our M&A practice at BMBR, we’ve worked with buyers at…
The Digital Land Grab: How Cybersquatters Are Using AI to Hijack Your Brand
In the early days of the internet, cybersquatting was a manual, opportunistic game. A “squatter” would sit at their keyboard, guess that a brand like Google or Apple might forget to register a specific variation of their name, and hope for a payday.
Fast forward to 2026, and the landscape has shifted from a manual hobby to a high-speed, AI-driven…
The Pasquatch Is Official: Vinnie Pasquantino Locks Down His Legendary Nickname
Known for his power at the plate and his infectious personality, Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino has officially added “entrepreneur” to his resume. As of April 7, 2026, Pasquantino has successfully registered the federal trademark for his beloved nickname, “THE PASQUATCH.”
The move marks a significant step for the 28-year-old infielder, securing his intellectual property rights as his…
A Small Business Attorney’s Primer on Contracts for the New or Small Business The Basics of How a Contract Is Normally Formed
Small businesses make agreements every day — with vendors, customers, service providers, and sometimes even friends or family. Some of those arrangements are documented in formal contracts. Others are confirmed by email. Still others are based on nothing more than a handshake.
But which of those arrangements actually creates a legally binding contract? And how can a business owner feel
…
Gibson Guitar
In the world of guitar manufacturing, body shapes have long been a legal battlefield. The most significant modern chapter of this saga concluded in February 2026, when a long-running legal battle between Gibson Brands Inc. and Armadillo Distribution Enterprises (the parent company of Dean Guitars) finally reached its definitive conclusion.
The result was a “mixed bag” that fundamentally altered the…
AI Overview
As of March 2026, major copyright news is dominated by AI, with the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear a case regarding AI-generated art, reinforcing that only human-created works can be registered. Key issues include proposed legislation on AI training data (CLEAR Act), major streaming royalty disputes, and ongoing legal battles over online piracy and trademark infringement.
Key Copyright News…
When AI and Templates Collide: Two Stories Every Business Owner Should Read Before Their Next Deal
If you’re a business owner exploring a purchase, sale, or major contract, you’ve probably considered using AI or online templates to draft your documents. It’s tempting—fast, seemingly cost-effective, and empowering. And in many ways, AI is a remarkable tool that can help you clarify your goals and understand what’s possible.
But here’s the thing: AI tools are drawing from the…
The Essential Legal Checklist for California Businesses Under $10M
If you own or operate a California business under $10 million in revenue, your legal needs are different from a venture-backed startup — and very different from a Fortune 500 company.
But here’s what I’ve seen repeatedly:
- Business owners wait too long to involve counsel.
- Executives sign agreements they don’t fully understand.
- Leases get signed without reviewing the personal guarantee.
…
Disney v. ByteDance
In early February 2026, the entertainment and tech worlds collided as The Walt Disney Company issued a scathing cease-and-desist letter to ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok. The dispute centers on ByteDance’s newly released AI video generation tool, Seedance 2.0, which Disney alleges has been trained on a “pirated library” of its most valuable intellectual property (IP).
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The…