It is surprising to those of us who have spent meaningful time in the country, but Spain is often overlooked as a business destination. Part of that has to do with the country’s ongoing problem with unemployment, which clouds outsider perceptions. Recent turmoil in Catalonia has not helped, with the optics at times making Barcelona seem like a […]

We’ve been writing a lot lately about recent major changes in federal hemp laws that will likely affect every hemp company in the United States (see here, here, and here). While we’re on the topic of dramatic legal changes, it’s probably a good idea to talk about a California privacy law that’s about to take effect and require […]

Barcelona on November 6 and Madrid on November 7 The United States is Spain’s number one trade partner outside the European Union and the depth and breadth of this trade relationship continues to grow. On November 6th and 7th, Harris Bricken will collaborate with our affiliated Spain firm, Monereo Meyer Abogados, and with the Barcelona […]

Commercial lawsuits typically stem from disputes between people or businesses. These lawsuits generally proceed through distinct steps: pleadings, discovery, trial, and possibly an appeal. However, parties can halt this process by voluntarily settling at any time. Most cases settle before reaching trial. Arbitration is sometimes another alternative to a trial. Pleadings. Each party in a […]

We talked here about the pros and cons of setting up a Spanish subsidiary instead of just opening a branch office. Once you have made up your mind to form a subsidiary in Spain to run your local activities, you might find you need to get that project started faster than you predicted. Your new […]

Trademarks are among the most important assets of any company. Indeed, if it weren’t for trademarks, customers would be unlikely to even find a company’s products. Naturally, then, most U.S. companies want to protect these essential and valuable assets to the greatest extent possible and therefore make sure that they are registered with the United […]

As more U.S. companies and individuals seek to sell their goods and services in foreign markets, it is important that they obtain protection for their trademarks in these markets. One way to minimize the cost of obtaining trademark protection abroad is to make use of the Madrid Protocol (Protocol). 121 countries have signed the Protocol […]

As the country with the world’s largest economy, the United States offers some of the best business opportunities in the world.  To assist businesses in taking advantage of those opportunities, this guide provides an overview of the US legal system and some of the laws relevant to doing business in the US United States Legal […]

You’ve taken the first steps in expanding your business into Spain, perhaps by forming distributorship relations. Now, you’re ready to put down deeper roots by renting office space and hiring staff. With these pieces in place you will be considered a “permanent establishment,” and it’s time to go beyond simply registering your foreign business. Foreign […]

In September 2013, the Spanish parliament approved a new law allowing non-EU investors to apply for a Spanish residence permit and by extension for a Schengen visa. The objective of the law is to attract entrepreneurs to Spain and to stimulate foreign investment in Spanish real estate, public debt, and job creation.  What this all […]