Last month, Massachusetts announced the creation of the Treasurer’s Alcohol Task Force, which will create an independent group of professionals to review the state’s legal and regulatory framework of alcohol beverages. See Treasurer Deborah Goldberg Announces Alcohol Task Force. The Task Force will generate an assessment of the current climate…
Building Your Practice Through Blogging and Podcasting
Join us June 21st at 1:00 PM ET to 2:00 PM ET for a free webinar on Building Your Practice Through Blogging and Pocasting, courtesy of the ABA Women Rainmakers Division. I will be speaking with Nicole Abboud, Esq., who is the owner of Abboud Media and a podcaster, lawyer,…
Contemporary Wine Law Issues
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TTB Issues Temporary Rule Modifying Federal Regulations for Hard Cider
On January 23, 2017, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued a temporary rule (T.D. TTB–147) in the Federal Register that amends the federal regulations for hard cider. The temporary rule amends TTB regulations to implement changes made to the federal definition of “hard cider” in the Internal…
The Vineyard House Files Trademark Infringement Complaint Against The Napa Vineyard House
As originally reported by the Napa Valley Register, two vineyard “houses” in Napa are currently in disagreement about the use of a similar name. See Lawsuit Claims Confusion Between 2 Napa ‘Vineyard Houses.’ Vineyard House Winery in Oakville is disputing the use of “Vineyard House” by The Napa Vineyard House. On February 1st, The…
On Reserve Author to Teach at University of Reims’ 2017 Wine & Law Program
This summer, I will return to the University of Reims to teach another course on wine law at the Wine & Law Program. This year, the Program is in its seventh session and will discuss topics related to trademark law and geographical indications for spirits. The course will focus on topics including introduction to wine marketing, the…
Must-Visit Piemonte Wineries: Rizieri and Ceretto
Last fall, I traveled to several wine regions in Italy on vacation. I spent some time in the gorgeous Piemonte region, which is home to one of my favorite wines (Barolo). The trip was well planned, as the harvest was timely this year, the quintessential Nebbiolo grapes were at their…
Is There a Likelihood of Confusion Between RAM HORN and RAM’s GATE
Ram’s Gate Winery, LLC (opposer) filed a notice of opposition against application Serial No. 862692961 before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. (The application was filed by Opal Moon Winery, LLC on May 1, 2014 and sought registration on the Principal Register based on applicant’s intent to use the mark in…
Submitting a Petition for a New Grape Variety to TTB
Last year, I represented a client before the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) with respect to petitioning for the addition of a new grape variety for use as a variety on American wine labels. The grape variety, Loureiro, has been used on imported wines from Portugal and Spain….
Is There a Likelihood of Confusion Between Swill and Swell Swill?
A recent application before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, 10 Barrel Brewing, LLC sought to register the mark SWILL (in standard characters) for beer in International Class 32 (for beer) on the Principal Register. See In re 10 Barrel Bxrewing, LLC, Serial No. 86190248 (May 31, 2016) [not precedential]. The application for registration was…
CIDER WEEK: So You Want To Start Your Own Cidery (Session 2)
Our first Cider Week session event sold our for October 25th, so we added a second event on Saturday, October 29th. Please see below for more information. On October 29th at 6:00 PM, I will be speaking at Wassail for New York City Cider Week. The event is So You Want To Start Your Own…