Intellectual Property Law Section, Trademark Interest Group

Description:

Now that cannabis is legal in California for those over the age of 21, the trademark issues confronting all types of cannabis businesses are more perplexing than ever. This program will explore both Federal and California state trademark protection for legal cannabis businesses.

Faculty:

Shabnam Malek

Shabnam Malek is a partner at Brand & Branch LLP and co-founder and President of the National Cannabis Bar Association. She advises clients on domestic and international growth, strategic expansion strategies, intellectual property development and enforcement, and regulatory compliance. She also represents clients in disputes and state and federal litigation—work that gives her valuable insight and perspective when drafting and negotiating agreements for clients. Shabnam also advises on advertising law, privacy law, and all things internet. Shabnam's professional affiliations include the International Trademark Association and California Bar Association, where she serves on committees, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Lawyers Guild, the Queen’s Bench, the Bar Association of San Francisco, and Women Grow, where she served as a founding co-chair of the Bay Area chapter. She regularly speaks about intellectual property issues pertaining to the cannabis industry and on trademark protection matters generally. Shabnam has been named a Northern California Rising Star three years in a row by Super Lawyers Magazine.

Mary Shapiro

Mary Shapiro is an attorney specializing in trademark, copyright, and internet law. A former client of intellectual property legal services, her focus is on effectively enhancing and protecting the value of her client’s intellectual property, in a practical and efficient manner. She offers clients worldwide protection through a valued network of local international counsel.

Following a career in book publishing, she began practicing law in 1999 at Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP, then the largest specialized intellectual property firm in the West. Mary began her solo practice in 2009, continuing her day-to-day work clearing, filing, prosecuting, and enforcing trademarks in the U.S. and around the world. Her cannabis practice began in earnest in 2009 and she has since federally registered marks for many cannabis businesses, though none for cannabis products, due to the federal prohibition to registering such marks. The registrations, for educational services, providing information about medical cannabis, and public advocacy in support of legalizing cannabis, create a foothold to launch a challenge relative to any cannabis related goods or services. In 2016, Mary rebranded to Evoke Law.

Mary is a founding member of the National Cannabis Bar Association (NCBA) and co-chairs its Content Committee.

David Branfman, Moderator

 Dave Branfman has been practicing law in San Diego County for over thirty years. His practice focuses on intellectual property and entertainment law, including trademarks, domain names, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, motion pictures & TV, and music. He has also developed a leading-edge specialty in the intersection between intellectual property law and the growing legal medical and recreational marijuana industries and speaks regularly on this subject. He received his law degree from the University of San Diego in 1978. He is an instructor on intellectual property law at the UCSD (University of California, San Diego) Executive Perspective for Scientists & Engineers program. Dave has spoken multiple times at various cannabis sector events including NORML Legal Committee conferences, the Ganjier Spring Kickoff, the International Cannabis Business Conference, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. He was Chairman of the Board of the San Diego Film Commission from 1998 – January 2000 and was a member of the Board of Directors from 1998 – 2007.  He is also a regular speaker at Comic-Con and has been selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer® in intellectual property six times since 2007 including most recently this year.

Pricing:

$55.00