Dollars and scents: Trademark disputes over smells Traditionally, trademarks have consisted of logos or brand names that are uniquely associated with a particular company. However, trademarks aren't necessarily limited to logos or names. In rare cases, they can...
Month: November 2017
Beer trademark dispute takes iconic twist
Last week, our post was about a cross-border trademark fight between a nearly monolithic beer brewer and one that has no presence beyond a small town in one U.S. state. This week, we take another plunge into the brewing world without the tongue-in-cheek tone of the...
Getting serious about funny beer trademarks
There's something about craft beer that seems to encourage unusual names. Who would drink a Pabst or Budweiser when there are such products available as Buttface Amber Ale? Or "I'll have what the gentleman on the floor is having - Polygamy Porter." From Palo Alto, we...
Tips for licensing in a global marketplace
What's your market? That's a fundamental question an entrepreneur needs answered to succeed. If you can't identify who will buy your product or service, you can't easily communicate your value proposition to the right people.In today's economy, another factor often...
Trade secret dispute muddies optics for hip glasses retailer
Never underestimate the power of inventorship. That could prove to be one moral of a story that is unfolding in a trade secret dispute in the optical industry. At the heart of the case is one telehealth company's claim that it's been the victim of trade secret theft...