More than a Fluffy Tail: Celebrating and Commemorating National Service Dog Month

September is National Service Dog Month!  As we celebrate and commemorate these incredible animals and their teams this month, it is important to think beyond the fluffy-tailed cuteness to have a discussion regarding some of the everyday realities that service animal teams experience, and how this impacts your alcoholic beverage business. What Do Service Animals…

Items of Value-What can a brewery give to a retailer?

*Please keep in mind that this is information is specific to North Carolina law. Contact an attorney in your state to find out specific information about this. *This information is provided by the NC Craft Brewers Guild. Read the original article here. The information for this blog is found on Brewer Advisory: Legislature Passes ABC…

Trademark and Ownership

*The information for this blog can be found at: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/uspto-videos/trademarks/tm-newsflash-15-assignments-and-ownership-changes What happens when the ownership of your trademark changes? This is a common occurrence caused by a business changing its name, selling your business, or assigning your trademark rights to another individual and/or company. Three common types of ownership changes are (1) change in name,…

Ways to Start a Business, Enter into a Business, or Buy a Franchise

*This information is taken from the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC). To read the entire packet, click here. *We also have a blog post on how to finance your business. Buying an Existing Business Always evaluate the business by reviewing its history and its operations. Learn the business’s marketing strategies, how…

Financing your Business

*This information is taken from the North Carolina Rural Entrepreneurship Development System and the NC Department of Commerce Business ServiCenter. The packet is entitled “Fueling Your Business in North Carolina: A Guide to Financing for Small Businesses” and can be viewed here. How do you Plan on Financing your Business?   Many people use the…

Alcohol on Road Signs?!

*Please keep in mind that this is information is specific to North Carolina law. Contact an attorney in your state to find out specific information about this. *This information is provided by the NC Craft Brewers Guild. Read the original article here. North Carolina now allows breweries and distilleries to be featured on highway road…

What Happens if My Trademark Contains a Name, Signature, or Portrait?

*The information for this blog can be found here.   If your mark includes a name, portrait, or signature that is of a living individual and you want to register the mark at the USPTO, you must provide the USPTO certain information regarding that individual. The USPTO requires: A statement that the name, portrait, or…

Specimens in Statement of Use Applications

We receive SO many questions about specimens. When do I submit one? How do I submit one? What type of specimen? And even, what is a specimen? Have no fear! Let’s break it down. Taken from the USPTO website: a specimen is a sample of how you actually use the mark in commerce on your…