In October, I had the great pleasure of visiting the Champagne region and teaching a course on U.S. Trademark Law at the University of Reims’ Wine & Law Program. The University of Reims’ Wine & Law Program is directed by Professor Theodore Georgopoulos and consists of a full-year program (Master’s Degree)…
Study the Business of Wine in Santiago, Chile and Call for Contributors or Co-Authors
Dr. Kevin Fandl, Assistant Professor and Academic Director of Global Immersion Programs at Temple University’s Fox School of Business, recently reached out to share an exciting opportunity in Santiago, Chile this January along with a call for contributes or co-authors. Temple University’s CIBER is offering Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB): Study…
TTB Revises Guidance Document on Personalized Labels
On September 5, 2017, TTB issued a new public guidance document, TTB G 2017-2, for personalized labels which the agency said supersedes its prior guidance TTB G 2011-05 but does not “completely change the underlying policy.” See TTB Public Guidance, TTB G 2017-2, Personalized Labels. Per TTB, the new guidance…
Federal Compliance Update at the 2018 Eastern Winery Expo
Join Marybeth Williams of Williams Compliance and me at the 2018 Eastern Winery Expo in Lancaster, Pennsylvania March 6th through 8th for an update on federal winery compliance. A description of our event is provided below. “They want me to do WHAT!?!?” How to remain afloat in the winding river of…
TTB Opens Comment Period for Three Proposed Wine Rules
On Wednesday, October 11, 2017, TTB announced that it would reopen comment period for three relevant proposed rules for the wine industry. The proposed rules were originally published in the Federal Register in 2016. The following rules have their comment periods reopened: Notice No. 160, Proposed Revisions to Wine Labeling and…
2017 Wine & Law Program in Champagne, France this October
This year, the University of Reims’ Wine & Law Program is in its seventh session and will discuss topics related to trademarks and intellectual property rights in the wine and spirits sector. The Program is a 6-day intensive course program in English from October 9, 2017 through October 14, 2017 at the Université de…
USPTO Finds a Likelihood of Confusion for HOODWINKED for Beer and HOODWINKED for Wine
Fetzer Vineyards (“Applicant”) recently sought registration in standard character mark for HOODWINKED on the Principal Register for wine in International Class 33. In re Fetzer Vineyards, Serial No. 86789970 (June 22, 2017) [not precedential]. Originally, the Trademark Examining Attorney refused registration of the mark under Section 2(d) of the Trademark Act…
New York Farm Distilleries Now Allowed to Serve Wine, Beer, and Cider for On-Premise Consumption
On July 25, 2017, Governor Cuomo signed legislation to allow New York farm distilleries to sell wine, beer, and cider labelled as “New York State” for on-premises consumption. See Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Allow Farm Distilleries to Sell New York State Labelled Beer, Wine, and Cider for On-Premises Consumption. Previously, New…
Cider Chat and Cider Law
I was recently interviewed in a podcast by Ria Windcaller of Cider Chat. We had a one-hour discussion on cider law, obtaining permits with TTB, labeling, advertising, social media, and various other topics that impact the cider community. It was a great experience, and the chat is available to listen…
Texas Proposes to Change State Wine Law Regarding Appellations of Origin
Recently, the state of Texas saw some interesting action with respect to wine and the law. House Bill 1514, sponsored by Rep. Jason Isaac, relating to the labeling of wine as originating from the state is causing a significant amount of concern among winemakers. The bill proposes to change the Texas Alcoholic…