Blogs
How will the government shutdown impact your patent and trademark applications?
by evansfox | Jan 22, 2018 | Government
The USPTO has officially announced that it has reserve funding from the fees it collects that will allow it to remain open and functioning “as usual” for a few weeks. The announcement is not specific as to how long it can remain open and does acknowledge that it will...
Splenda does more “sting” operations against restaurants that sell a lot of coffee
by evansfox | Jan 22, 2018 | Restaurants & Bar
Heartland Consumer Products, owner of the Splenda brand, hired undercover private investigators to pose as customers at Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants and determine whether the restaurant chains were falsely identifying the artificial sweetener they were handing out...
Thoughts on the impact of the prediction that 50% of US will be Up For Sale in the next few years
by evansfox | Jan 19, 2018 | Buying/Selling a Business, Wineries
I have read in several places that industry insiders believe about half of the US wineries will be up for sale within 5 years. The prediction came from Rob McMillan in the State of the Wine Industry newsletter and was based on a survey of more than 350 Napa Valley...
Target being sued for a stupid move, and rightfully so
by evansfox | Jan 18, 2018 | Trademark
It amazes me how brazen some companies can be when it comes to trademark infringement. Even if it was a mistake by the marketing department, the Target case signals a complete lack of corporate training on trademark issues and a complete lack of review by senior...
Home Distilling
by evansfox | Jan 16, 2018 | Distillery
While individuals of legal drinking age may produce wine, cider or beer at home for personal or family use, Federal law strictly prohibits individuals from producing distilled spirits at home. Producing distilled spirits without a license can expose you to Federal...
The State Liquor Authority suspends licenses of 3 Rochester area retailers
by evansfox | Jan 15, 2018 | Restaurants & Bar
Sexual assault inside the bar on Christmas Day by owner Robert W Champlin lead to a suspended liquor license for Lloyds Limited Pub at 3 Main Street in Penn Yan. The assaults, and underage drinking, were captured on video. According to police accounts, both victims...
It is time to review your standard non-compete and confidentiality agreements, especially if you are a franchise
by evansfox | Jan 12, 2018 | General Business
Many franchises require that all employees sign confidentiality and non-compete agreements. These restrictive covenants are intended to protect the legitimate business interests and intellectual property of the franchisor. A franchisor’s legitimate business interests...
Why the SLA wants a personal questionnaire from managers when the owner operator is not running the business
by evansfox | Jan 9, 2018 | Restaurants & Bar
The process for obtaining a liquor license is a rigorous one. It should be impossible to get a license if you don’t show that you have the good faith intention, and the actual ability, to operate a responsible business in compliance with the law. The SLA has been...
EVALUATING DISTRIBUTORS
by evansfox | Dec 21, 2017 | Brewery & Cidery, Buying/Selling a Business, Copyright, Craft Beverage Branding, Distillery, General Business, Restaurants & Bar, Retail Liquor License, Tips For the Entrepreneur, TJLF in the Community, Trademark, Wineries
Before entering into a distribution agreement, brewers, distillers, wineries and cideries should do their homework. This company is being entrusted with your sales and can make or break your business and penetration into new markets. You need rock star distributors on...
Contract Brewing
by evansfox | Dec 20, 2017 | Brewery & Cidery, Buying/Selling a Business, Copyright, Craft Beverage Branding, Distillery, General Business, Patent, Restaurants & Bar, Retail Liquor License, Tips For the Entrepreneur, TJLF in the Community, Trademark, Uncategorized, Wineries
Expansion of production capacity can be capital intensive and finding a location can take some time. One alternative is to use contract brewing to supplement your current production. Contract brewing is a business arrangement where a brewer hires an existing brewery...
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