Trademark Attorney

02/09/2026

Hanging out, catching up with long-time friend and colleague Jon Grissom. Good times!

01/28/2026

New Nice Classification.

As of 1 January 2026, a new edition of the Nice Classification has entered into force: the 13th Edition (Nice 13 – Version 2026). All trademark applications filed from this date onward will be examined and classified in accordance with this new edition.

Compared to the previous version, Nice 13 (2026) introduces several important changes, including the addition of new terms and the reclassification of certain goods and services. These updates aim to improve clarity and ensure that classifications better reflect current market and technological developments.

Among the most notable amendments affecting goods are the following:

Essential oils are now classified based on their purpose. Oils used in manufacturing fall under Class 1, while those used for fragrancing remain in Class 3. In addition, all food flavourings are now classified in Class 30, even where essential oils were previously included in Class 3.

Corrective glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses have been moved from Class 9 to Class 10.

Emergency and rescue vehicles, including fire engines, fire boats, and lifeboats, have been transferred from Class 9 to Class 12.

Clutch linings are no longer classified in Class 17 and are now classified either in Class 12 (for land vehicles) or Class 7 (for other uses).

Parasols and umbrellas have been clarified: only hand-held parasols and umbrellas remain in Class 18, while patio umbrellas have been added to Class 22.

Electrically heated clothing not intended for protection against accidents, injury, or medical purposes has been moved from Class 11 to Class 25.

Yoga-related articles have been redistributed according to their nature: yoga and meditation cushions (Class 20), yoga gloves (Class 25), meditation mats (Class 27), and yoga blocks (Class 28).

The new edition also introduces relevant changes in service classifications, including:

The inclusion of artificial intelligence as a service (AIaaS) as a new entry in Class 42.

The classification of booking and arranging access to airport lounges under Class 43.

Updated classifications for rental of spectacles and rental of sunglasses, which are now classified exclusively in Class 44.

An updated version of the alphabetical list for the 2026 Nice Classification is already available on the WIPO website for information purposes, although it will formally apply from 1 January 2026.

In parallel, the Harmonised Database—the common EU list of accepted terms for goods and services—will be updated to reflect the new edition. These updates will become visible to all users via TMclass at the beginning of next year.

01/28/2026

Calling all trademark owners...be on the lookout for scammers trying to steal your money by "publishing" your tradmark and/or offering to file maintenance documents with the USPTO. Get in touch if you have questions. Do Not Pay!

01/27/2026

3 days at the NAMM trade show in Anaheim, coupled with 3 days at the Wood Wire Volts trade show, also in Anaheim, all the same days, makes for some busy, crazy days! And good times. Meeting with current and new clients, checking out the music gear, networking and having fun! Check out the images and see what you missed. It’s good to be home, but looking forward to next year!

01/21/2026

Another year, another NAMM show!

12/02/2025

All set for the NAMM 2026! Hope to see you there! Shout out to Oz Guitar Works for sharing a booth with me again this year! You can check Oz and his high tech super cool guitars out here.

Tau A minimalistic studio grade headless guitar, with a mission Compact, Light, Comfortable Quick Change Pickup Modules Strt Neck Heel Shape Aluminum, Carbon fiber,Tonewood Body Plug and Play, Find your Sound Features Neck 4 Full Scale Lengths Available… Fender Heel Shape… Headless… Unique Hea...

10/30/2025

Having a lunchable before my IAPP networking event tonight in downtown San Diego!

10/29/2025

I am a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals- IAPP. I am a Certified Information Privacy Professional- CIPP. We love acronyms, don’t we? IAPP Privacy. Security. Risk. 2025 conference starts tomorrow in San Diego. iapp.org/conference/iapp-privacy-security-risk/ Check it out.

10/23/2025

Combating Online Counterfeiting

Interesting idea re stopping online counterfeiting.

Beyond the Brick-and-Mortar Paradigm:The Legal and Procedural Foundations of Schedule A Litigation in Combating Online Counterfeiting as Distinct from Traditional Trademark Enforcement Kari Kammel, Jessica Boeve ABSTRACT This Article analyzes the emergence and evolution of Schedule A litigation as a...

10/03/2025

CIPP/US certification renewed!

Issued by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) to certify expertise in US privacy law and practices.

10/03/2025

This just in from IAPP:

California Privacy Protection Agency fines retailer $1.35M for CCPA violations

In its largest fine to date, the California Privacy Protection Agency Board issued a decision requiring Tractor Supply Company to change its business practices and pay USD1.35M for alleged violations of the California Consumer Privacy Act. The CPPA said "the decision is the first to address the importance of CCPA privacy notices and privacy rights of job applicants." According to the CPPA, the retailer did not notify consumers and job applicants of their privacy rights, provide consumers with "an effective mechanism" to opt out of sale of their data, among others. The company must implement broad remedial measures and "require a corporate officer or director to certify compliance annually for the next four years."

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Although small businesses generally are not subject to the CCPA, best practice is to have internal privacy policies in place and a privacy notice on your site to notify visitors of your privacy practices. If you are not doing this, do it now.

10/03/2025

At present, the USPTO will remain open and fully operational until further notice under operating reserves from the prior year’s fee collections.