Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property practice and is the coordinator of the firm’s international team. Much of Fred’s practice consists of helping cannabis businesses protect their brands. He also works with entrepreneurs and companies entering the Web3 space, a new frontier for IP law. Prior to joining Harris Sliwoski, Fred worked overseas for more than a decade, in both government and private sector roles. Fred is a regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and Canna Law Blog.
Fred began his career overseas as a U.S. consular officer in Guangzhou, China, where he advocated for fairer treatment of American companies and citizens in China and for stronger intellectual property rights enforcement. After entering the private sector, Fred worked at a Shanghai law firm as a foreign legal advisor and later joined one of the oldest American law firms in China, helping foreign companies navigate the Chinese legal environment. He also led the legal team at a Hong Kong-based brand protection consultancy, spending most of his time out in the field, protecting clients against counterfeiters and fraudsters in Greater China, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
In addition to his IP work, as a native Spanish speaker, Fred works closely with different Harris Sliwoski teams on Latin America and Spain matters. Fred also provides advice to cannabis industry participants and other businesses on import and export transactions.
Fred is an ardent supporter of FC Barcelona—and would be even in the absence of Catalan forebears who immigrated to Puerto Rico in the mid-1800s.
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
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
United States Trademark Protection for Chinese and Vietnamese Brand Names I recently spent a few days in Houston, among other things enjoying the culinary delights that can only be found in a city as international as H-Town. During these explorations, which included stops at some superb Chinese and Vietnamese eateries, I had the chance to
Mexico Data Protection Law 1. What is the Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties? Answer: This is Mexico’s primary legislation governing the collection, processing, and protection of personal data held by private entities. It sets out requirements for data breach notifications and data protection measures. 2. What constitutes a
Mexico Data Breach Laws In the digital era, the protection of personal data is paramount for maintaining trust and ensuring privacy. Mexico’s Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties (the “Law”) establishes stringent requirements for personal data breach notifications, underscoring the importance of safeguarding sensitive information. This comprehensive guide delves
How to Choose Your United States Trademark Lawyer When building a successful brand, safeguarding your intellectual property is paramount. Trademarks and copyrights are vital tools in protecting your brand’s unique elements and ensuring your business’s longevity. This guide will help you navigate the trademark registration process and provide practical tips on selecting the right U.S.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s (AMLO) proposed judicial reform in Mexico has sparked significant controversy. The primary aim is to reshape the country’s legal system by increasing transparency, efficiency, and democratic accountability. However, the most radical proposal—popular election of judges—has raised concerns about potential risks to judicial independence and the overall functioning of the justice
United States LLC Operating Agreements LLC operating agreements establish how a limited liability company is to be run and are equivalent to a corporation’s bylaws (see Doing Business in the United States: The Laws You Should Know for more information on LLCs and corporations). In most states, including some very popular ones for forming LLCs,
Trademark symbols are the subject of regular questions from clients and even people with whom I have casual conversations, once they find out I am a trademark lawyer. In this post, I’ll briefly explain when it’s appropriate to use each symbol. By the time you finish reading, you should be able to understand why I
USPTO Trademark Costs Will be Increasing The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) wants to raise certain trademark fees, consistent with its fee-setting authority. If USPTO’s proceeds with their current plans (which it almost certainly will), the costs associated with trademark registration in the United States will go up considerably for trademark owners. In
