Parna Mehrbani Speaks About IP for Food Industry Startups

On May 15, Tonkon Torp hosted the second session of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network’s Angel Food Education series. Attorneys Tyler Harkness and David Forman emceed the event and welcomed 45 food industry entrepreneurs who are participating in OEN’s Angel Food program. The session featured seven speakers, including Tonkon Torp attorney Parna Mehrbani, who covered various aspects of product and brand development that are essential to bringing a product to market.

Parna provided a foundational overview of intellectual property, tailored to the food industry. She shared the difference between trademarks and copyrights, and what each can and cannot cover. She also spoke about how to protect trade secrets that contain a brand’s proprietary and competitive information, as well as advertising issues that commonly arise in the food industry.

Parna is co-chair of the Information Privacy & Security Practice Group, and a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group. Her practice is focused on intellectual property, trademark and copyright registration, licensing, and enforcement, and advising on intellectual property portfolios for local, national, and international companies. She also advises businesses on the management and security of personal data and the laws that regulate the collection, use, and protection of personal data.