FRANCHISE LAW WITH ZING
has been recognized by our peers for several prestigious awards in franchising law. We are grateful for the recognition and for the team that makes it possible! is honored to announce that eight of our lawyers have been recognized in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Franchise Law, including Regina Amolsch, Leslie Curran, Marisa Faunce, Dave Koch, Michael Laidhold, Lee Plave, Ben Reed, and Jim Rubinger. The Best Lawyers…
Our partner Ben Reed spoke on a panel about “Zee-Zor Legal Logic Post COVID” sponsored by Franchise Times. How should franchise attorneys be thinking about franchising as we move beyond the COVID-era? Hear from Franchise Times “Legal Eagles” who represent franchisors and franchisees on the big issues of the day. Do force majeure and related common law doctrines excuse contractual…
Our partner Lee Plave, together with Ron Gardner, jointly wrote to the Chair and Ranking Members of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor and the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions concerning the pending joint employer provisions of the PRO Act. Ron is a partner with Dady & Gardner of Minneapolis, one of the country’s…
Lee Plave and Aaron Chaitovsky, CPA Citrin Cooperman On January 28, 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued its long-awaited “practical expedient,” which will truly help privately-held franchisors tackle the relatively new revenue recognition requirements of US GAAP. Franchisors have been waiting for this development for quite some time, and the FASB delivered after almost four years of discussion…
The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 was included in the bipartisan 2020 coronavirus stimulus bill that passed on December 22, 2020, and was signed into law yesterday. The TM Act of 2020 will bring three important changes to trademark law (the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq.) of significance to brand owners. First, the new law will introduce…
Yet another dispute over copyright rights in sports branding has hit the news. Similar to the fight over the Baltimore Ravens logo many years ago, the Phillies are embroiled in a dispute with the designers of the “Phillie Phanatic” mascot over who owns the copyright rights. These battles provide a good backdrop for understanding copyright creation and trademark and copyright…
We are pleased to announce that our partner Ben Reed will be co-presenting the Annual Developments session at the 43rd Annual Forum on Franchising Annual Meeting! As those who have attended the Forum’s Annual Meeting know (and for those who have not), the Annual Developments session today is the Forum’s signature event, providing a “thoughtful, comprehensive and lively review of…
by Valerie Brennan On March 31, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a notice that most trademark filing deadlines may be extended by 30 days. Specifically, any deadline that was due on or between March 27, 2020 and April 30, 2020 can be extended 30 days from the initial date due. The extension is retroactive but…
by Valerie Brennan COVID-19 has caused many businesses to forcibly shutter in the U.S., temporarily, due either to state orders or necessary restrictions to protect employees and patrons. To maintain federal trademark registrations, however, the owner must make periodic maintenance filings declaring that a registered mark remains in use in connection with the goods and/or services covered by the registration. …
by Valerie Brennan Store design / layout protection is a hot topic in trademark and copyright circles at the moment. Trade dress protection can be added to your arsenal of tools for preventing copycats from profiting off your creativity. It’s far from easy and requires a clear strategy and well-documented approach, but can be worth the effort. Create each element…
