Canadian companies announce cannabis collaboration
21-08-2018
Danler / iStockphoto.com
While cannabis companies in the US can’t protect their brands with federal trademark protection, there are other options for them when seeking IP rights, as LSIPR finds out.
On October 17, many Canadians will no doubt rejoice as the country makes the recreational use of cannabis legal.
While several countries, including Belgium, Chile and Mexico, have adopted a policy to decriminalise the possession of small amounts of cannabis, and others have legalised the medical use of it, Canada will be only the third country to legalise it for recreational use. The other two countries are Georgia and Uruguay (while Israel is set to follow suit in 2019).
Trailing behind Canada’s liberal approach is its neighbour, the US, where cannabis is illegal under federal law; however, some states have legalised cannabis for recreational use. As the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will not register trademarks for goods and services that cannot be lawfully regulated by US Congress, cannabis-related products will not be granted trademark protection.
To continue reading this article and to access our full archive, digital magazines and special reports you will need a subscription.
Start a subscription today to access the LSIPR website
If you have already subscribed please login.
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription we can add you into, please email Atif at achoudhury@newtonmedia.co.uk
If you have any technical issues please email tech support.
For access to the complete website and archive choose '12 MONTH SUBSCRIPTION'. For a free, two-week trial select ‘TWO WEEK FREE TRIAL’.
Cannabis, marijuana, federal trademark protection, Canada, US Patent and Trademark Office, illegal activity, Dykema, Cole Schotz, branding, trademarks
