Although copyrights protect a business’s creative works and assets, the possibility of infringement remains a pressing issue for companies. Indeed, businesses should seek registration of their intellectual property for legal protections; however, many owners can take additional steps to secure their original ideas or creations.
On September 14, 2021, the Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) warranted federal warnings against the usage and marketing of Delta-8 THC. In similar reports, these federal agencies warned against the use of Delta-8 because of the lack of research on the rare cannabinoid and the growing accessibility of these products in the market.
As the cannabis industry grows in the United States, and due to several recent statewide legalizations, more people have become familiar with the cannabis market, and consumers are increasingly interested in certain benefits of cannabis-derived products. From cannabidiol (“CBD”) to tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), there are several products containing cannabinoids with different effects and purposes. As new types of cannabinoids become mainstream, the market faces unforeseen growth.
On September 1, 2021, numerous new or amended laws became effective in Texas. Our focus today is on two amended laws affecting the Texas hemp and medical cannabis industries.
A trademark is a type of intellectual property consisting of a word, phrase, logo, sound, or smell that identifies the source of ownership of goods and/or services. Obtaining a federal trademark provides the trademark owner the exclusive right to use the trademark nationwide and allows the owner to pursue an infringement action against others for using an identical or confusingly similar mark. Obtaining a state trademark affords an owner a similar form of limited protection; however, the owner only has the exclusive right to use the trademark within the state she registers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected an application from Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. for their full spectrum hemp extract. In a press release on August 11, 2021, Charlotte’s Web, a hemp health supplement company, announced that the FDA published an objection to their New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) application the company submitted on March 31, 2021.
As the 2020 Olympic Games come to an end in Tokyo, many viewers at home reflect on how famous athletes are affected by the Olympic Games’ long list of banned substances. Substances like marijuana have remained on the list for decades despite public scrutiny.
In any industry, business disputes are commonplace, whether it’s between businesses, business co-owners, Limited Liability Company (LLC) members, or corporation shareholders. These disputes can occur over a wide range of business-related disagreements, including everything from shareholder disputes to breach of contract cases. Accordingly, every company should work with an experienced law firm that specializes in business disputes to handle commercial litigation appropriately and reach the most favorable outcome. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common business disputes that may lead to litigation.
On June 1st, 2021, Dave Clark, Amazon’s CEO Worldwide Consumer, announced the company’s new corporate drug testing policies. The global conglomerate’s modified policies are part of Jeff Bezos’ “Earth’s Best Employer and Earth’s Safest Place to Work” initiative to improve Amazon’s working conditions.
Choosing the right business structure is a necessary step in creating a successful, lucrative company, although oftentimes, it’s a step that gets overlooked. Several different business structures exist to provide a precise and dynamic legal fit for various companies. Additionally, your business’s structure influences everything from how much you pay in taxes and the kind of paperwork you must file, to your personal liability protections and ability to raise money. Below, we’ve outlined the four most common types of business formations and which ones work best for certain businesses.
At Ritter Spencer Cheng PLLC, the client comes first. We understand that your business and your intellectual property are your most valuable assets. Our firm practices business law, trademarks, copyright, business disputes, business bankruptcy and collections, commercial litigation, hemp and cannabis.
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Addison, TX 75001