Wisconsin State Law Library

DFI Lien and Trademarks Database - Carol Hassler

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) recently released the UCC and Trademark Filing System, a new website which allows users to search and file trademarks, tradenames, and UCC filings. This site replaces the old online UCC and trademark/tradename record search websites.

There are four types of searches that can be run on the new website:

• Quick UCC debtor search (free, but limited)
• UCC-11 search (requires a fee, lists debtor documents available, provides a search certificate)
• Secured party UCC search (requires a fee; lists documents by secured party)
• Trademarks/Tradenames (free)

Account setup

A free user account is required to use the database, including running basic searches. To create an account:

• Go to https://dccs.wdfi.org/
• Click "Create a new user account"
• Choose whether to register as an individual or organization. The "Instructions" link at the bottom of the account creation screen gives a little more information about how accounts can be set up, and their user account guide provides more detail on how you may link accounts.
• For every account, a filing organization must be created. You must set up a filing organization even if you sign up as an individual and never plan to file documents on the website. You may use your business name, your own name, or other name for your filing organization. Your filing organization profile is used when requesting copies of documents and certified searches.

Once you have set up an account and filing organization, you're ready to search!

Searching

Start with the search menu at the top of the page to find a UCC or trademark filing. A detailed search guide is on the DFI website, but here are a few techniques we found helpful.

The "RA9" search is the same search used by the UCC-11 paid search. The free UCC search is intended to allow users to test out name variations they may want to use in the for-fee UCC-11 search, or to request documents specific to a certain record. The website includes a detailed description of how the RA9 search works, including common words that it ignores. Generally speaking, when you're not sure about the name of the individual or organization or you think there might be some variations used, running a more basic search is a good idea. For individuals, only enter what you know of the name (the last name is required). Only use a middle initial or name if you need to narrow your search. There is some built in stemming logic to the individual search. While a last name must be filled in completely, the first name can just be the first letter, and the search will return all results with names starting with that letter. For organizations, use the "all words" or "starts with" options to run a broader name search.

Once you locate the record you want, you can request copies of filings from the search results screen. Simply check the box next to the record and click the "Request copies" button at the bottom of the page.

The trademark/tradename search is similar to the old website. You can search by keyword or by who registered the trademark or name. When in doubt, start with a broad search that includes both trademarks and tradenames, and all records (including inactive names). When you locate the record you want, click on the linked "registration ID" to see details and request copies.

Try out the new UCC and Trademark Filing System and learn more about how to search and file documents at http://wdfi.org/ucc/.

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New Books - Kari Zelinka

New Edition! Legal Guide to the Business of Marijuana, by James T. O'Reilly
Call Number: KF 3891 .M2 O74 2019

Legal Guide to the Business of Marijuana is now in its 2nd edition. The majority of states have enacted laws legalizing medical marijuana and a growing number of states allow recreational use as well. Lawyers representing clients in this fast growing industry face unique challenges and uncertainty between state and federal laws. Whether you are advising clients on traveling with medical marijuana, selling CBD oil, or producing hemp, this book may be a good place to start.

Chapters include:

• Elements of Federal Conflict with State Marijuana Legislation
• Understanding the Diverse Terms of State Marijuana Legislation
• Medical and  Prescribing Issues for Marijuana Patients
• Roles of Criminal Law
• Non-Smoked Forms of THC Delivery: Pills, Oils, Food and E-cigarettes
• Growing and Processing of Marijuana
• Professional Licensure and Ethical Constraints
• Transportation, Customs, and Delivery Issues
• Products Liability and Cannabis Products

New Book! A Layperson's Guide to Legal Research and Self-Help Law Books, by Kendall F. Svengalis
Call Number: REF KF 1 .S94 2019

Author Kendall Svengalis has over forty years of experience as a professional law librarian and he has been writing and publishing for over 20 years. His latest book highlights resources for pro se users. A Layperson's Guide to Legal Research and Self-Help Law Books contains reviews of almost 800 self-help law books in 85 subject areas. Each area is preceded by a short overview, with links to online sources for further information. Appendices include the most complete directory of public law libraries in the Untied States.

Subjects include:

• Administrative Law
• Advertising and Marketing Law
• Arbitration, Mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Class Actions
• Disabilities Law
• Long-Term Care
• Privacy Law
• Tax Law
• Workers Compensation Law

See our latest New Titles list for a list of new books and other resources.

For assistance in accessing these or other resources, please contact our Reference Desk.

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Tech Tip - Heidi Yelk

Using dots to expand your Gmail address

It's a given that most people have more than one email address. "Work" and "home" are two obvious distinctions. Some people create separate email addresses for online shopping, bills, family activities, and more. (For example, this discussion includes a person who has more than 100 accounts.)

If you have a Gmail address, there's a twist on this "multiple email" system that you may not have heard about before. It's commonly referred to as "dots don't matter." It means that in Gmail, you can add dots to your email address and correspondence will still find its way to your inbox. johnsmith@gmail.com can be addressed as "john.smith" or "jo.hnsmith" or "johnsmit.h". It's all the same to Gmail, so long as your entire email address is included amongst the dots.

Therefore, if you don't want to set up a new email address for a new venture (kids' summer camp, for example), you could simply share a dot variant of your Gmail address. Provide the summer camp with that new variant and then create a filter within Gmail for that variant.

For more information on using this technique see Make Several Gmail Addresses Out of One (New York Times) and Stop Worrying About the Period in Your Gmail Address (Business Insider).

There's a downside to "dots don't matter." Technology writers are warning that this system can be used in fraud and phishing scams. See Schneier on Security and James H. Fisher's dots do matter to learn more.

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Library News - Carol Hassler

Libraries closed on July 4

All three libraries will be closed on Thursday, July 4th in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Send questions and requests to us by email or leave a voicemail at 608-267-9696. We will respond to questions the next day. Happy Fourth, everyone!

Revised! Dane County Low Cost Legal Assistance Directory

The Low Cost Legal Assistance in Dane County guide has been updated for 2019. We have updated information for several organizations, and added new clinics to the guide. If you volunteer for or run a low-cost or free legal assistance organization or clinic, please check your listing. Send corrections, updates, and suggestions for new entries to wsll.web@wicourts.gov.

Summer classes

Sign up now for our last CLE classes of the summer. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the experts!

Madison

Essentials for Ensuring Transparency Under the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law
Tuesday, August 6, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser Jr. Library rare book room
Presenter: Sarah K. Larson, an Assistant Attorney General in the Wisconsin Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Open Government
In this training, you will learn the fundamentals of the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, including what constitutes a "meeting," a "governmental body," and a "convening" of members, including prohibited walking quorums and issues related to technologies such as email and social media. You will also learn when closed sessions are authorized, and learn the requirements related to notice, citizen participation, recordkeeping, and more.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Register Online | Print Registration Form

Introduction to Westlaw
Tuesday, August 20, Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: David T. Prosser Jr. Library training room
Learn how to best utilize Westlaw in this course by: Finding Specific Cases, Statutes and Regulations by citation; Learning how to quickly find and search specific resource; Learning about plain language searching on Westlaw; Utilizing result list filtering to narrow your search results; Exploring document features, including new "Copy with Reference"; Learning about new Westlaw history; Reviewing the basics of the Westlaw Citator - KeyCite.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is limited to 8. Register Online | Print Registration Form

Milwaukee

Administrative Code Research
Thursday, August 1, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Meeting Room 1 at the Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
Presenter: Beverly Butula
This session will focus on information available on the Wisconsin State Legislature's website relative to the Wisconsin Administrative Code, information found within Statements of Scope and Clearinghouse rules, and locating prior versions of the Code. In addition, we will explore additional tips and tricks when conducting administrative law research.
FREE. 1 CLE credit. Registration is suggested through the Milwaukee County Law Library and space is limited. Call 414-278-4900 or email mcll.ref@wicourts.gov to register. Print Registration Form.

Librarians reach out

In June, Librarian Carol Hassler was pleased to present information on public records law to the Madison Area Paralegal Association (MAPA). Thank you for having us!

We welcome local librarians with the South Central Library System to the David T. Prosser Jr. Library on August 8. Wisconsin State Law Library staff will present information on providing legal reference services, and offer a tour.

Celebrating 100 years of women's suffrage

Throughout the month of June, the David T. Prosser Jr. Library hosted a display featuring historical briefs and laws, related books, and photos and newspaper articles of the time. Check out our blog posts commemorating the occasion:

• Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in Wisconsin
• Brown v. Phillips
• Gilkey v. McKinley

As we celebrate the centennial of women's suffrage, several organizations have created research guides to historical materials. As part of HeinOnline's series Secrets of the Serial Set, learn about Susan B. Anthony and her own mark on the U.S. Serial Set, which includes her Congressional petition and more information concerning her trial, United States v. Susan B. Anthony.

MCLL bids farewell to Jennifer Waite

In June, the Milwaukee County Law Library (MCLL) said farewell to branch librarian Jennifer Waite. Jennifer led the MCLL since 2016. Prior to that, she worked part-time at MCLL from 2011-2012. Jennifer brought a great deal of knowledge and enthusiasm to the MCLL and she will be missed. We wish her the best of luck in her new position.

Milwaukee County Law Library staff

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July Snapshot

A Celebration Honoring Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
Photo by Julie T. Robinson

This event, held in the Wisconsin State Capitol, celebrated Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson's 43 years of service on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and her upcoming retirement in July. Justice Abrahamson has been a great supporter of the library and library staff. Thank you for your service to Wisconsin!

We are accepting snapshots! Do you have a photo highlighting libraries, attractions or points of historical interest? Send your photo the editor at carol.hassler@wicourts.gov to be included in a future issue.

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