Two exciting opportunities in wine law are scheduled for the next few months. The first is the Wine and Spirits Law Academy at UC Davis on September 8th, 9th, and 10th. Wine and spirits legal experts from around the world will convene for a three-day conference to discuss topics including global wine and…
Penfolds: The Unfolding of China’s New Trademark Law
A new case that may show the effects of China’s recently updated trademark law made headlines this last week. Treasury Wine Estates reported that the company did not register the Chinese name for Penfolds and is currently engaging in a legal battle with Li Daozhi, an allegedly notorious trademark squatter….
On Reserve Named a Finalist in 2014 Wine Blog Awards “Best Overall Wine Blog” Category
It is quite an honor to share that On Reserve was named one of five finalists in the 2014 Wine Blog Awards category for Best Overall Wine Blog. See 2014 Wine Blog Awards Finalists Are…. I am humbled to be named among many very respected wine bloggers and writers, especially within the “Best Overall Wine Blog”…
District Court Denies Duck Walk’s Motion to Dismiss Against Duckhorn
Last year, California-based Duckhorn Wine Co. filed a complaint against Long Island-based Duck Walk Vineyards alleging consumer confusion and breach of settlement agreement that resolved a prior trademark infringement action between the two parties. See Duckhorn Wine Co. Files a Complaint Against Duck Walk Vineyards Alleging Consumer Confusion on Wine Labels; see also Duckhorn…
Upcoming Wine, Beer, and Spirits Law Conference Hosted by CLE International
CLE International is hosting the 19th Annual National Conference on Wine, Beer, and Spirits Law this September in Washington, D.C. The conference will be Thursday, September 18th through Friday, September 19th at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Additionally, attendees can earn up to 12 MCLE credits including one…
The New Chinese Trademark Law In Effect: The Wine Version
There’s been a lot of news over the last few months with respect to China and wine trademarks, especially with respect to French winemakers. See, e.g., Is China Making a Step Forward in Wine Trademark Law? and French Wine Company Castel Frères to Pursue Trademark Battle Against Panati in China’s Supreme Court. On May…
The Minimalistic Wine Label Approach: Are We Heading Toward Textless Labels?
There’s been some chatter recently about Uproot Wines and its newly introduced color-coded labels that represent the wine’s flavor palette. See, e.g., Millennials Targeted with Color-Coded Labels. The colored boxes on the true front label of the wine feature what Uproot Wines declares is a flavor palette, or a profile of…
TTB Updates Information on Optional Alcohol Facts Statements
Last week, TTB updated its FAQ section on optional Alcohol Facts statements to include more information on Alcohol Facts statements (or alcohol facts panels). The updated information includes TTB’s insights on whether per-serving and per-container alcohol content information can be placed on labels and in advertisements which do not contain nutrient content…
A Trademark Double Entendre: N2 Versus Into Wines
Here’s an interesting scenario. Can a trademark applicant’s mark ever have multiple meanings? And can such dual-meaning mark be issued a trademark even if one of its meanings is deemed merely descriptive? In a recent appeal to the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, administrative…
TTB Suspends Ruling on Bottling Taxpaid Wine in Growlers
Several weeks after TTB announced its third ruling of Year 2014, the Bottling Taxpaid Wine in Growlers or Similar Containers for Consumption Off of the Premises, TTB issued a subsequent announcement declaring the suspension of the ruling. (The original ruling held that filling growlers and similar containers for consumption off of the…