Recent Articles

Congratulations to client Wine by Joe for being named the #1 Hot Small Wine Brand of 2011 by Wine Business Monthly

January 27, 2012 19:16

Great work, Joe Dobbes! We are proud to have represented 4 out of the last 6 wineries that have been named #1 hottest wine brand by Wine Business Monthly.  Joe Dobbes, Oregon winemaker, named the nation's No. 1 'hot brand' winner of 2011

ADA and Health Care Reform Seminars

December 28, 2011 23:29

Join us in Spokane (February 8th) or Seattle (February 9th) for a collection of seminars geared towards educating hospitality and lodging businesses on ADA and Health Care Reform.

AFC Enterprises' Continued Use of the Name POPEYES for Fried Chicken Chain is Now Before a Georgia Court

December 05, 2011 20:12

By Sheila Fox Morrison AFC Enterprises has asked the court to confirm that it may continue to use the POPEYES name after its licensing agreement with Hearst Corp., which owns the rights to the Popeye the Sailor cartoon character, expires. The complaint reads: “The Agreement was never intended...

The US Trademark Office Says That Food and Beverage Products Are Also Related to Restaurant Services

December 05, 2011 19:54

By Sheila Fox Morrison The Board has affirmed a Section 2(d) refusal to register a mark for a collection of food products on the grounds of likely confusion with another registered mark for hotel, restaurant and dining services. Click here to read the full story.

Will Four Loko's FTC Settlement lead to more disclosures of Alcohol Content?

Jesse Lyon
October 04, 2011 17:19

The maker of the controversial Four Loko flavored malt beverages has agreed to label its products with disclosures stating how much alcohol they contain compared to "regular" beer. Craft beer manufacturers and producers in other categories should watch related regulatory efforts with some...

Social Media: New Best Practices for Spirits

Jesse Lyon
September 21, 2011 17:34

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (“DISCUS”), which represents spirits manufacturers and suppliers, this week released new guidelines (PDF) for marketing and promoting alcoholic beverage products via social media and other digital platforms. While guidelines such as...

New Oregon Winery Land Use Law Signed

August 04, 2011 18:21

By Michael J. Gelardi This week, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber signed House Bill 3280, which creates new land use rules governing wineries on farmland. This legislation is an important step forward for the Oregon wine industry and anyone who cares about sustainable agriculture. The bill does...

Senators in the Sheets

July 25, 2011 18:28

By Laura Warf and Steve Ledoux, Davis Wright Tremaine The phrase would ordinarily bring to mind lurid images of politicians acting badly, but not so in California, where the legislature hopes to lend a hand to hard working housekeepers. On June 1, 2011, the California Senate passed SB 432,...

Beware: Payroll Companies May Mishandle Garnishments of Tipped Employees

June 28, 2011 19:00

By Chrys Martin, Davis Wright Tremaine Garnishment is a legal process by which an employer must withhold funds in its possession belonging to an employee and send them to a creditor. However, some direct tips are never in the employer’s possession, and accordingly are not likely subject to...

Revised Standards for an Accredited Investor: A Legislative Update on Dodd-Frank

June 28, 2011 18:54

By Ryan Maughn, Davis Wright Tremaine Restaurant businesses depend on private investors for capital. Fledgling restaurants need the funds to pay startup costs, while more established restaurants need it to expand, renovate, and maintain adequate working capital. Whether you interpret them as an...