Cannabis Trademarks 101
By Jeffrey Welsh
Nov 19, 2024
In an industry that runs on innovation and differentiation, a cannabis brand’s identity is among its most valuable—and most prone to copying—assets.
Intellectual Property
Cannabis Intellectual Property Lawyer
Brands, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets are critical assets to any business, especially in the nascent cannabis industry. Vicente LLP helps marijuana and hemp entrepreneurs obtain and protect their intellectual property with a variety of customizable services.
Our IP team has extensive experience in the field, and we maintain a strategic relationship with counsel who previously worked as an examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They were drawn to Vicente LLP because of its role as a leader in cannabis law and policy, as well as our entrepreneurial spirit and authentic passion for the cannabis industry.
Vicente LLP has spent years working with cannabis and hemp brands, assisting with business strategy, agreement drafting and review, and trademark clearance and registration at both the state and federal levels. We have filed and registered dozens of federal and state trademark applications for cannabis, hemp, and CBD businesses, as well as writing and lecturing about the topics. We also actively monitor the latest cannabis regulatory and policy changes and their applications to trademark, copyright and other intellectual property protection strategies to ensure our clients maintain their position on the leading edge of this quickly evolving industry.
Discover how our team of trademark attorneys and cannabis intellectual property lawyers has made Vicente LLP a premier cannabis trademark law firm.
LEADERSHIP
Services
Trademarks
- Trademark Selection
- Brand clearance and protection strategies
- Federal trademark clearance
- State trademark clearance
- USPTO trademark applications
- State trademark applications
- Trade dress applications
- International trademark applications
- USPTO Office Action Response
- Trademark Registration Maintenance and Renewals
- Trademark Trial and Appeal Board litigation
- Trademark disputes and enforcement, including trademark demands and litigation
- Trademark monitoring
- Trade Secret protection strategies
- Trademark portfolio management
- UDRP proceedings
- Trademark Licensing Agreements
- Trademark Consent Agreements
- Trademark Assignment Agreements
Copyright
- Federal copyright registration
- Copyright Claims Board Litigation
- Copyright infringement litigation
- Copyright Licensing Agreements
- Copyright Assignment Agreements
- Fair Use Analysis
- Copyright demand letter issuance and defense
People
News
How to Choose a Trademark for Your Cannabis Brand
By Chelsie Spencer
Sep 3, 2024
A strong trademark is crucial for cannabis businesses to stand out and thrive. This Insights post explores the importance of trademark protection and breaks down the different categories of trademark distinctiveness, from generic to fanciful. By understanding these categories, entrepreneurs can make informed decisions to safeguard and protect their brand identity.
[Webinar] Cannabis Rescheduling: Implications and Next Steps
May 3, 2024
Watch this special briefing featuring Vicente LLP leaders who have been deeply immersed in the federal scheduling issue, along with Mitzi Keating, a CPA and partner at Citrin Cooperman.
[Webinar] Cannabis IP Strategies: A Forward-Looking Discussion with Patent & Trademark Specialists
Mar 28, 2024
Watch this pre-recorded session to learn about the future of intellectual property for cannabis and hemp products with rescheduling on the horizon. This webinar will feature a discussion with VLLP IP specialists regarding patent, IP and trademark protection, cannabis research, and what may change with potential federal marijuana rescheduling.
How to Qualify as Justice-Involved for a New York Cannabis Business CAURD License
By Kim Napoli, Bridgette Nikisher
Aug 2, 2022
New York's Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Licenses are reserved for "Justice-Involved" individuals disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. What does "Justice-Involved" mean, and how does one take advantage of the benefits associated with that classification?
Trademarking Your New York Cannabis Industry Business and Brand
By Erik Pelton
Jul 27, 2022
Looking to start a cannabis business in New York? When creating your business brand name and logo, don't forget to protect it with a trademark.
VS is Headed to Las Vegas for the Biggest Cannabis Event of the Year — MJBizCon!
Oct 5, 2021
We look forward to seeing our colleagues, clients, and friends at MJBizCon in Las Vegas, October 19-22!
When Do You Need Cannabis Regulatory Counsel? A Guide for Corporate Counsel
By Charles Alovisetti, Sally Kent Peebles
Jan 15, 2021
As more law firms are fielding client questions about cannabis industry transactions, it can be challenging for corporate counsel to identify when they need cannabis regulatory counsel.
The Cannabis Business: Understanding Law, Finance, and Governance in America's Newest Industry
By Vicente Sederberg LLP
Dec 18, 2020
Vicente Sederberg attorneys wrote the book on cannabis law — and now you can own it! This comprehensive primer on all things cannabis law is a must-have for anyone seeking to understand the major practical legal issues facing the marijuana and hemp industries.
Protect Your Brand! Cannabis Trademark Strategies and Benefits
Sep 23, 2020
Watch this virtual discussion on cannabis trademarks and intellectual property with Sahar Ayinehsazian, Erik Pelton and Jeffrey Welsh.
Preparing for the Rising Demand for Due Diligence in Cannabis Transactions
By Charles Alovisetti, Elliot Choi, Sahar Ayinehsazian, Corey Cox
May 5, 2020
The continuing growth of the cannabis and hemp industries has given rise to the need for specifically tailored due diligence.
Trademark Protection for Cannabis, Hemp and CBD Brands
Dec 11, 2019
What brand protection options are available for businesses in the cannabis, hemp, CBD or related industries? Watch this presentation to better understand the tactics your business can implement to increase protection for brand names, logos, and slogans.
In the Media
- Marijuana Business Daily, "NFTs: A scam – or a smart play for marijuana companies?," February 2, 2022
- Highly Capitalized, "Interview: Erik Pelton: Of Counsel Vicente Sederberg: Trademark & Patent Attorney," October 9, 2021
- JD Supra, "Cannabis Trademarks 101," April 29, 2021