Tonkon Torp partner Parna Mehrbani was a featured panelist during the 2nd Annual Northwest Cannabis Law Institute series hosted by the Oregon State Bar Cannabis Section. The September 15 panel, which featured Parna and two other attorneys, was focused on intellectual property issues for the cannabis industry.
Parna kicked off her segment with an introduction to the process of researching and obtaining trademark rights through use in commerce as well as through state, federal, and foreign registration. After reviewing the challenges inherent to seeking federal trademark protection for marijuana and ingestible CBD products from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Parna shared strategies for navigating USPTO limitations and for seeking protection through state registrations, label copyrights, and contractual obligations. She also provided guidance on establishing and enforcing trademark rights for the owner, and recommendations and strategies for licensing trademarks in the Cannabis industry.
Parna is Co-Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Information Privacy & Security Practice Group, and a partner in its Intellectual Property Practice Group. Her practice is focused on intellectual property, trademark and copyright registration, licensing, 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.
