inta psychedelics trademark

Psychedelics and Trademark: INTA 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego!

Fred Rocafort

inta psychedelics trademark

I am thrilled to share that I will be moderating a Table Topic on the impact of psychedelics legalization on trademark law at the International Trademark Association’s (INTA) 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego! The session will take place Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (PST).

With the increasing legalization of psychedelics for medical and even recreational use in various jurisdictions, trademark practitioners are facing new challenges and opportunities in brand protection, enforcement, and regulatory compliance. This INTA session will provide a platform for dynamic discussion, insights, and idea exchange on how evolving laws impact trademark strategies in this rapidly developing industry.

During this Table Topic we will likely cover key aspects such as how recent legal developments in psychedelics legalization impact trademark registrability, the role of federal and international trademark offices, and the challenges of branding and enforcing trademarks in a still-restricted market. We will also examine what lessons can be drawn from the cannabis industry, including strategies such as ancillary goods and services registrations, and explore the future of global intellectual property frameworks as they relate to psychedelics. Participants will be encouraged to share their perspectives, legal challenges, and potential solutions as we navigate this evolving landscape.

Why this topic matters

The legal and regulatory landscape surrounding psychedelics is shifting rapidly, and brand owners, attorneys, and businesses alike must navigate uncertain trademark protections while preparing for potential federal legalization. This discussion will help INTA attendees better understand the risks, strategies, and best practices for safeguarding brands in this space.

If you’re attending INTA 2025, I invite you to join this session for a thought-provoking conversation on one of the most exciting and evolving frontiers in trademark law. I look forward to engaging with colleagues from around the world and exploring innovative legal solutions in this area.

See you in San Diego!

Stay tuned for another blog post after the event, where I will report on how the INTA discussion unfolded and share key insights from participants. If you have any specific questions, case studies, or perspectives you’d like to see covered in the discussion, feel free to reach out or leave a comment!

Share

Fred Rocafort

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.

Harris Sliwoski Attorney Read more posts
Read More

Events/ Webinars, Federal Law and Policy, Intellectual Property/Branding, International

Related Posts

sincere religious belief psychedelic church

“Sincere Religious Belief” is an Evolving Standard for Psychedelic Churches
right to try

Ninth Circuit Issues Disappointing Ruling on Terminally Ill Patients and Psilocybin
oregon psilocybin

Oregon Psilocybin: State of the State (2024)