Intellectual Property Considerations for the Food and Beverage Industries

Brand assets such as brand names, distinct packaging, and product designs are highly valued in the food and beverage industries. Brand owners of food and/or beverage products and services seek growth by attracting new consumers and increasing brand awareness and loyalty. It is essential that brand owners understand how to best protect their brand’s intellectual property (IP), examine potential infringement, and mitigate risk.

In this program, brand owners and their counsel will learn the different types of IP protection available for goods and services in the food and beverage industries and how such rights can be secured both in the U.S. and abroad. Discussions will include search and clearance strategies for trademarks, trade dress, and product configuration, as well as insights on cross-searching against non-traditional categories (i.e. virtual reality goods and services). Discussions on recent case law along with insights for litigation strategies for brand owners and their counsel will also be provided.

If you are an attorney who represents brand owners of food and/or beverage products and services, regardless of experience level, you are encouraged to attend this program.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the different types of IP protection available for goods and services in the food and beverage industries.

2. Explore how to secure IP rights domestically and abroad.

3. Investigate search and clearance strategies for trademarks, trade dress, and product configuration.

4. Recognize when to cross search against non-traditional categories (i.e. virtual reality goods and services).

5. Review recent case law and insights for litigation strategies.