Supreme Court case on flavored vapes

US Supreme Court Weighs in on Vaping

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Important Case on Vaping Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in a pivotal case that could reshape the vaping landscape. The case stems from an FDA appeal challenging a lower court ruling that found the agency improperly rejected nicotine vape product applications. The case centers on the FDA’s

United States trademark of a flag or country

Flags and Country Names in Trademarks: The Legal Pitfalls to Avoid

Flags can get you in trouble when you apply to register a trademark. Many countries, including the United States and China, prohibit the registration of flags as trademarks. Are you planning to incorporate a flag or country name into your brand? If so, proceed with caution to avoid legal complications. Section 2(b) of the U.S.

Utah Yetis Trademark Dispute: United States trademark Lessons

Utah Yetis: U.S. Trademark Lessons for All

United States Trademark Lessons Utah Yetis. I’ll leave it up to readers to decide if they think it’s a cool name or not for a sports team. But what is undeniable is that the troubles the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club is encountering over its attempt to use and register that name as a trademark offers

China Employment Contracts

China Employment Contracts: An Employer’s Guide

In a recent email to a client, one or our China employment lawyers provided an overview of China’s employment law system. This post expands on that overview, offering insights and examples to help foreign employers understand the unique challenges and requirements of hiring in China. As you will see, the Chinese employment system is based

Business Immigration under the new Trump rules

Trump’s Second Term Immigration Impacts: A Guide for Businesses

Business Immigration Impacts On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump began his second term with a staunch America-first agenda aimed at reshaping immigration policies and tightening border controls. These sweeping changes have far-reaching implications for businesses that rely on employment-based immigration. Are you prepared for these changes? In this post, I outline the steps businesses

China cease and desist

Corporate Transparency Act on Hold…. Again.

On December 26, 2024, a panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reinstated a nationwide injunction blocking enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), just days after a different panel had lifted it. This back-and-forth decision has caused significant turmoil within business compliance offices across the country. What is it? The

The Penn State University logo, featuring its iconic lion emblem, proudly takes center stage against a backdrop of a bustling Penn State football stadium.

Penn State Vintage Trademarks: Protecting the Future via the Past

Penn State University has emerged successful in a high-profile legal battle against online retailer Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc., securing $28,000 in damages for unauthorized use of its vintage sports logos. This case, the first of its kind to go to trial (at least in the United States), underscores a critical issue in the sports

A digital graphic with the word "TRADEMARK" in the center, surrounded by various blue and white icons representing business and technology concepts.

Why Descriptive Trademarks Can Hurt Your Brand (And How to Fix It)

Descriptive Trademarks This morning, I had a call with a client about a new business they’re launching. The concept is great but one thing they will need to work on is the name of the new business. Why? Because it leans heavily on a descriptive trademark—and that’s a problem. If you’re launching a business or

A digital graphic with the word "TRADEMARK" in the center, surrounded by various blue and white icons representing business and technology concepts.

United States Trademark Maintenance: Registration Is Just the Beginning

United States Trademark Maintenance Think you’re done after registering your trademark? Think again. Registering a trademark in the U.S. marks a significant milestone for any business, granting legal protection to your brand. However, this is not a one-time process. Maintaining your trademark rights requires fulfilling specific ongoing obligations to ensure your brand remains protected under