Opener
The California Senate Committee on Governmental Organization is considering a bill to streamline the process for qualification of private equity firms seeking to hold an interest in a state alcohol beverage license. SB 796 would add Section 23405.4 to the California Business and Professions Code, which would allow a private equity fund to hold a license and […]
On March 9, 2015, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued a preliminary injunction to White Oak Vineyards & Winery, LLC against White Oak Spirits LLC enjoining the spirits producer from use of the term WHITE OAK on vodka based on likelihood of consumer confusion with the mark WHITE OAK for […]
The Sonoma County Economic Development Board will be hosting its 2015 Sonoma County Beer, Cider & Spirits Conference this Friday February 27, 2015 at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa in Santa Rosa, CA. The event will feature a panel discussion on regulatory issues facing alcohol beverage producers, and DP&F Senior Counsel Bahaneh Hobel […]
James W. Terry Director at Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty and chair of the firm’s business practice group, will serve as as program co-chair at the annual “Best Practices in Winery Operations” conference hosted by The Seminar Group, to be held on March 19 and 20, 2015 at The River Terrace Inn in Napa, California. The conference touches on many […]
During last week’s Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, DP&F attorney John Trinidad moderated a panel discussion titled, “Regulatory Hurdles for DTC, Social Media, and Third Party Sales Channels.” Trinidad led off the session with a presentation describing how the Internet has “disrupted” the wine industry’s traditional sales and marketing models. You can access Trinidad’s PowerPoint presentation by clicking on […]
As most wine industry members are aware, licensed wineries now have the option to ship directly to consumers in Massachusetts if they obtain a Direct Wine Shipper License from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (the “ABCC”). The ABCC has recently revised the application for the Direct Wine Shipper License. The revised application allows wineries […]
Resolving a circuit split, the Supreme Court in Hana Financial, Inc. v. Hana Bank, et al., 574 U. S. ____ (2015) on Wednesday unanimously affirmed a Ninth Circuit decision that the issue of “tacking” – where a trademark user modifies its mark over time while managing to retain its longstanding use and priority position over […]
On January 23, the New York State Liquor Authority is scheduled to hold a hearing to determine if retailer Empire Wine & Spirits (“Empire”) engaged in “improper conduct” that warrants the suspension, cancellation or revocation of the retailer’s New York liquor license. According to the SLA’s Notice of Pleading, Empire allegedly shipped wine to consumers […]
The paid sick leave law went into effect January 1, 2015, but employers are not required to provide paid sick leave to eligible employees until July 1, 2015. The new law is Labor Code Section 245 et seq. Beginning January 1, 2015, employers must provide notice to all employees about the law. A copy of […]