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Franchisor 101: Pieces of the Trademark Pie

An Illinois federal district court granted partial summary judgment in a trademark dispute against Ledo Pizza System, Inc. (“System”) and Ledo Pizza Carryouts, Ltd. (“Carryouts”), a franchisor of pizza restaurants...more

Franchisee 101: An UnBakeable Non-Compete

A Minnesota federal court denied cookie dough franchisor Cookie Dough Bliss Franchising’s motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against a former Minnesota franchisee and its owners....more

IP Gets “Modernized” In Stimulus Bill

Embedded within the 5,600-page Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 – more commonly known as the $2.3 trillion Coronavirus Relief Stimulus Bill enacted on December 27, 2020 – are significant changes to federal trademark and...more

Franchisee 101: COVID Defense Leads to Contempt

A federal court in Tennessee held a Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken former franchisee in contempt for failure to deidentify its restaurant after entry of a temporary restraining order and consent to a permanent...more

Franchisee 101: Successor Slips Out of Non-Compete

A Florida federal court granted a preliminary injunction against a terminated franchisee. The court enjoined the ex-franchisee from using the franchisor’s trademarks and trade dress. The court enforced the franchisor’s...more

Franchise 101: The Differences Between Franchises and Other Business Arrangements

Under California law, a business relationship is a “franchise” if: (1) the business will be substantially associated with the franchisor’s trademark; (2) the franchisee will directly or indirectly pay a fee to the franchisor...more

SCOTUS Invalidates Scandalous Restrictions on Trademarks

In a long-awaited decision, the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a restriction on registering trademarks deemed “scandalous” or “immoral”. In the Brunetti case, the U.S. Supreme Court was asked whether the provision of the...more

Franchisee 101: Trademark Licensee's Rights Survive "Rejection" of Agreement in Bankruptcy

On May 20, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a bankrupt debtor’s “rejection” of a trademark licensing agreement does not terminate the licensee’s rights. This was under a part of the Bankruptcy Code that provides for...more

Franchisor 101: Franchisor Fails to Escape State’s Changed Tax Interpretation

A state appellate court (“Court”) in New Mexico upheld a decision by the state’s Taxation and Revenue Department (“Department”) that royalties paid to out-of-state franchisors are subject to the state’s gross receipts tax...more

FRANCHISEE 101: Til Expiration Do Us Part

Though an individual owner and operator of a formerly franchised Church's Chicken restaurant in Texas was not a signer of the franchise agreement, a district court ruled the individual was subject to the agreement's...more

Franchisor 101: Copycat Restaurant Shutdown

A registered trademark is a valuable corporate asset and can be a significant part of a company's worth. A franchisor has an affirmative legal duty to police use of its mark by licensed franchisees and also third-party...more

Disparaging, Degrading, Derogatory Trademarks: They're Now Enforceable Says Supreme Court

You may remember that several national sports franchises are under fire for trademarks and branding that is seen to be racially disparaging. The Washington Redskins are the first team to come to mind, and it wasn’t too long...more

Trademark Law & Genericide: Google's Not Dead Yet

Domain name registration is usually a good first step to cement trade name and mark ownership. In a previous blog we reminded readers that possession, even in Intellectual Property matters, is nine-tenths of the law...more

FRANCHISEE 101: A Perpetual Franchise

When a franchisee "buys into" a franchise system by paying an "initial franchise fee," the franchisee is typically purchasing the right to use the franchisor's trademarks and business system for an initial term that lasts a...more

Half Baked: The Brave New World of Branding Weed

In last week’s election, California voters passed Prop 64, which means recreational marijuana can be sold and used by persons over 21 within the state. But don’t get excited about the gold rush just yet. Recreational...more

FRANCHISEE 101: "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right"

At one time or another, many people have occasion to be renters who feel mistreated by a landlord. This may be due to delays in repairs, responses, or just turning on the heat. A typical reaction is the temptation to...more

FRANCHISEE 101: Hawaiian Distributor May Be a Franchisee

A long-standing distributor and licensee of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in Hawaii was entitled to proceed on its claim that the business relationship with Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. was a "franchise" under Hawaii's...more

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