When you hear the word “gruyere,” what comes to mind? A bucolic region in the mountains of Switzerland? Perhaps the Gruyère region of neighboring France? Or, more likely, you think of a type of cheese....more
This week, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s (“TTAB”) and subsequent Eastern District of Virginia’s (“District Court”) summary judgment finding that “GRUYERE” could not be...more
TTAB Emancipates “Queen of Christmas” from Mimi - Mariah Carey lets mark registration go unchallenged - Breakdown - Mariah Carey takes a lot of guff for...strange behavior. We won’t review the stories here; poring...more
It has been almost forty years since Bruce Springsteen first famously celebrated being “Born in the USA.” From an advertising industry perspective, this song’s lasting popularity is no surprise; as advertisers know, “Made in...more
Under the Trademarks Act, a trademark that clearly describes (or deceptively misdescribes) where a good or service comes from often cannot be registered. What then does a “place of origin” encompass – a city? a country? a...more
In February of 2020, the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) issued its first iteration of the Cannabis Appellations Program (CAP), which set forth proposed regulations for licensed cannabis cultivators to...more
Report on Supply Chain Compliance 3, no. 16 (August 20, 2020) The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which went into effect July 1, 2020, contains multiple provisions that will affect supply chains. While...more
We are excited to announce a groundbreaking program scheduled for April 2, 2020: The Path to Cannabis Appellations. The Cannabis Industry Club at the Hass School of Business and the Cannabis Law Society at the Berkeley...more
The California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) recently released the first iteration of its Cannabis Appellations Program (CAP), which sets forth proposed regulations for licensed cultivators to establish appellations...more
Now that the UK Government has a majority in Parliament to pass the EU (Withdrawal) Act before its invocation of Article 50 of the Treaty of European Union expires on 31 January 2020, the threat of the UK leaving the EU...more
Part 1: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020 - How do the laws passed last year by California lawmakers impact how public agencies do business in the new year? In this annual Legal Alert series, Best Best &...more
Higher Regional Court Frankfurt am Main “Exzenterzähne II” (“Eccentric Teeth II”) - The Higher Regional Court Frankfurt am Main ruled that the unique selling point (USP) or “individual character” of a product that serves...more
LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS & STANDARDS - FDA to Hold CBD Public Hearings - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb reportedly said in a February 27, 2019, hearing before the House...more
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) entered into force on December 30, 2018. The Agreement will significantly impact trade among its ratifying Parties—currently including...more
The French law no.2014-344 on consumer protection, named "Hamon Act" (for the name of the Ministry in charge of this reform) and dated March 17, 2014, creates a new industrial property right: the "Geographical Indications...more
In This Issue: • JOTS for Gelatin Shots Found Confusingly Similar to TOTT’S for Sparkling Wine • Likelihood of Confusion Between DUB for Nutritional Supplements and DUB for Non- Alcoholic Energy Drinks • The...more