Writer. Author. Thinker. Storyteller.

WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: Business owners, executives, lawyers, marketing and advertising professionals, and anyone else who wants to better understand trademarks and intellectual property.

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This book is filled with fascinating historical facts about beer, wine, and liquor companies, while telling the stories of how these companies got themselves into trouble by failing to properly clear and/or register their trademarks. The book shows how these miscues lead to legal ambushes and “unfriendly challenges” by close competitors. Even well–known brands like Gallo wine and Jack Daniel’s whiskey were not immune to intellectual property issues, when a family member challenged the former, and a dog toy manufacturer, the latter. In another scenario, a notable Napa County winemaker failed to properly understand the difference between copyright and trademark laws, and got themselves in trouble licensing risqué photos of Marilyn Monroe, while John Wayne Enterprises ran into its own snafu when challenged to a duel with Duke University over the use of the name “Duke.” 

 

Through the telling of these often amusing stories about wineries and other companies, the reader will gain knowledge about what it takes to license a trademark and how to properly protect it, going forward.

 

At the end of each chapter, you’ll find a short, “Lesson Learned” section that pin-points key legal concepts and strategies to better protect your trademark. As a bonus, you’ll learn Ten Tips every business should know to protect their company’s IP, and common legal terms they’ll encounter if they choose to take this journey.

 

Navigating Intellectual Property issues can be very confusing and IP miscues can result in very large unplanned expenses. By reading this short, informative book, business owners and companies may very well avoid the egregious expense of having to reinvent themselves were they to find themselves on the losing end of a legal challenge. Attorneys, marketing, key executives and others will be better equipped to spot problems before it is too late.

BULK COPIES: Law firms and others interested in obtaining copies in bulk (100 or more) for their clients, potential clients, attorneys, paralegals and/or others may contact David for further information.