Fred Rocafort

Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property practice and is the coordinator of the firm’s international team. Much of Fred’s practice consists of helping cannabis businesses protect their brands. He also works with entrepreneurs and companies entering the Web3 space, a new frontier for IP law. Prior to joining Harris Sliwoski, Fred worked overseas for more than a decade, in both government and private sector roles. Fred is a regular contributor to the award-winning China Law Blog and Canna Law Blog.

Fred began his career overseas as a U.S. consular officer in Guangzhou, China, where he advocated for fairer treatment of American companies and citizens in China and for stronger intellectual property rights enforcement. After entering the private sector, Fred worked at a Shanghai law firm as a foreign legal advisor and later joined one of the oldest American law firms in China, helping foreign companies navigate the Chinese legal environment. He also led the legal team at a Hong Kong-based brand protection consultancy, spending most of his time out in the field, protecting clients against counterfeiters and fraudsters in Greater China, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

In addition to his IP work, as a native Spanish speaker, Fred works closely with different Harris Sliwoski teams on Latin America and Spain matters. Fred also provides advice to cannabis industry participants and other businesses on import and export transactions.

Fred is an ardent supporter of FC Barcelona—and would be even in the absence of Catalan forebears who immigrated to Puerto Rico in the mid-1800s.

Trademark scams by email. Call your trademark attorney

U.S. Trademark Scams are on the Rise . . . . SO BEWARE!

The Increasing Threat of Trademark Scams Trademark scams are on the rise, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) warns. If you get a concerning email about your trademark, there is a good chance it’s a trademark scam — but sometimes unsolicited emails are legit (or sort of), in the sense that they are

Mexico Trademarks

Mexico Trademarks: What You Need to Know

The Global/Mexico Trademark Landscape In a world where trademark identity is often a company’s most valuable asset, protecting that identity in foreign markets is crucial. Mexico, with its growing economy and strategic geographic location, has become a hotspot for many international companies. However, without a solid understanding of its trademark regulations, companies run the risk

U.S. Government trademark, visa, and passport delays and problems

Washington, You Have a Problem

Washington has a big problem. Simply stated, the nation’s government isn’t up to the task of serving the needs of the world’s largest economy. Though the problem isn’t just one of delays, it does manifest itself most clearly in the unacceptable waiting times to receive even the most basic of government services, across a range

trademark resolutions settlement

Trademark Infringement Litigation: Resolution Options

Introduction Since last month’s post covering international aspects of trademark infringement litigation, we’ve gotten some questions about what resolution options are available short of full-blown litigation. Obviously, trademark infringement is a significant concern for businesses and individuals seeking to protect their brands. But, sometimes, settlement or other mutual agreements to resolve these problems can make

Israeli companies moving to the United States

Israel: Business Exodus Coming?

Israel is in the throes of a polarizing debate over the future of its judicial system. If reforms being pursued by the current Israeli government are adopted, critics argue, the country’s very “democracy and system of checks and balances” may be at risk. In the eyes of some opponents of the proposed overhaul, its consequences

united states supreme court entrance

Why Dobbs Matters to International Companies and Visitors

With its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that held that the U.S. Constitution generally protected the right to an abortion. Following Dobbs, U.S. states will be free to regulate abortion as they see fit. While primarily a matter of import for

ForeignCompaniesDoingBusinessintheUnited States

State Law Differences in the U.S.

The differences between U.S. state laws can be considerable. For many observers from abroad, this is one of the most striking features of the American legal system. Understanding these differences is key for the success of foreign businesses that want to establish a presence in the United States. One key consideration is taxes. Most states

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U.S. Issuing Passports with X Gender Marker

Back in December, we discussed the U.S. State Department’s plans to start issuing gender-neutral passports. On April 11, 2022, the new policy took effect, with passport application forms (DS-11) now offering an X gender marker. The DS-11 describes the X as standing for “unspecified or another gender identity.” Passport applicants can select the X gender

China and Web3

Looking to Score: Web3 and Soccer

In a sign of Web3’s mainstreamization, companies in the space are sponsoring soccer teams. For readers not familiar with the topic, soccer sponsorships are a really big deal. Spain’s Real Madrid gets €70 million a year from Emirates to display the airline’s name on their shirts. The Dubai-based airline, by the way, sponsors three other

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Internet Dangers to Your Business

Across practices, we are seeing the internet turn into an enemy for businesses dealing with federal law enforcement. Companies of all stripes need to be aware of the dangers of the Internet, and in particular what is being said about them online. If your products are subject to federal government scrutiny, you should be aware