by Kelly Malloy | Aug 26, 2026 | Blog, Internet
A trademark application is reviewed by a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) Trademark Examining Attorney on a variety of grounds, but most notably on whether there is a conflict with a prior-registered mark. A §2(d) refusal – so named because of the...
by Kelly Malloy | Aug 18, 2026 | Blog, Internet
When a USPTO Examining Attorney takes the position that a mark is merely descriptive of an applicant’s goods or services and issues a refusal on that basis, the applicant normally has an opportunity to submit arguments and evidence in support of registration directly...
by Kelly Malloy | Jun 23, 2026 | Blog, Internet
International franchisors with business interests in Mexico should take notice that new regulations to the country’s Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property were published recently in its Official Gazette of the Federation. These new regulations, which...
by Kelly Malloy | Apr 16, 2026 | Blog, Internet
On April 14, 2026, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 679 – Registration of Trademarks (the “Bill”) into law. This new piece of legislation will align Florida’s trademark registration system with federal and international standards as well as modernize...
by Kelly Malloy | Feb 9, 2026 | Blog, Internet
Currently pending before Congress is the American Franchise Act (“AFA”), a bipartisan legislative initiative designed to clarify the meaning of a “joint employer,” as that term relates to a franchise system. The implications of that term are directly relevant to most...
