San Francisco partner Michael Kanach was a featured guest on the Branding Brews podcast on October 18, 2017 in an episode titled "Trademark and Branding for Craft Beverages." Kanach was interviewed by the show's host and expert on branding and design, Ryan Wheaton.
During the hour-long episode, Kanach and Wheaton discussed various topics involving branding and trademarks related to craft beer, including some benefits of obtaining a registered trademark and strategies of choosing a strong or distinctive name or brand. They also discussed some famous disputes over trademarks involving breweries and other alcoholic beverages, and strategies on avoiding a dispute, as well as what to consider when re-branding. Kanach stressed the importance of consulting an attorney who is familiar with the craft beer industry and trademarks, because they can help avoid certain foreseeable disputes.
When choosing a name for a brewery or beer, Kanach recommends that breweries use a few free search tools first before talking with an attorney to help save time and money, including searches on google and various government and industry-specific websites.
To hear the podcast in full, please click here.
______________________________________________
About the presenter:
Michael Kanach is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group and Commercial Litigation Practice Group in San Francisco, with litigation and trial experience in various intellectual property disputes. His experience covers all types of IP, including utility patents, design patents, trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, trade secrets, and contract disputes. Mike is also a member of the following practice groups: “Food & Beverage,” “Craft Breweries,” and “Entertainment, Fashion, Media, & Sports.”
Mike has represented clients in a broad range of industries covering high-tech and low-tech, including semiconductors, photovoltaic inverters, particle detectors, pharmaceutical devices, software and applications, sports and fitness equipment, entertainment, beverages (craft beer, wine, spirits, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages), furniture, and other consumer products. In addition to litigation, Mike counsels clients with respect to procurement and enforcement of intellectual property assets, as well as related transactional work and contract negotiations.