Articles

Can the government decline to register disparaging trademarks?

December 13, 2016 | By CALEB TROTTER

Simon Tam is the frontman of the popular Portland, Oregon, band called The Slants. A few years ago Mr. Tam sought to register The Slants as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. While the term has traditionally been used as a derogatory slur for persons of Asian descent, Mr. Tam (an … ...

Articles

When may a Napa wine be labeled as a Napa wine?

August 20, 2016 | By CALEB TROTTER

The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulates the labeling of wines sold in interstate commerce. If a winemaker wants to label their wine using an “appellation of origin” from a recognized viticultural area like Napa, then the wine must meet certain requirements. These requirements include: 85 percent of the grap ...

Articles

Dentist's legal battle with Ohio will continue

August 10, 2016 | By CALEB TROTTER

Advertising one’s area of expertise is usually desirable for both the professional and the public. But if you’re a dentist in Ohio, regardless of whether you are completely qualified in a specialty area of dentistry, you might not be allowed to advertise yourself as a specialist in that area. Fortunately, last week, the Sixth Circuit & ...