By: Gisella Zuñiga Galván* Though there are similarities in the European Union and the United States trademark systems (for example, registered trademarks under both systems are valid for ten years), there also are major differences. This post highlights some of the major differences in the trademark laws between the U.S. and the EU because it is these differences that … read more

SEATTLE – Harris Bricken announced today that it has opened a new office in Barcelona, Spain. Nadja Vietz, an attorney licensed in Germany, Spain and the U.S., will head up that office. Harris Bricken’s Barcelona office will focus on helping American companies and individuals navigate Europe and assisting European companies and individuals navigate the United … read more

Over the past year, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (“TPP”) has been the subject of intense debate and considerable international press. Understandably so as TPP represents intense efforts by twelve countries representing nearly forty percent (40%) of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) — but not China — to proactively reduce or eliminate their countries’ barriers … read more

“This deal is not built on trust; it is built on verification” is how President Obama announced and characterized the historic agreement reached yesterday between Iran, the United States, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The United States hails the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“Agreement”) as successfully achieving its mission: blocking all … read more

Cambodia recently became the fourth ASEAN nation (along with Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore) to join the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol).   As a result, it can now be less expensive and simpler for U.S. and other foreign trademark owners to obtain protection for their trademarks in Cambodia.  … read more

On May 11, I attended the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) 2015 Spring Symposium at which over 350 companies and 150 law firms were represented. Updates provided by government agencies are unique opportunities to meet agency representatives and hear them speak about regulatory developments and insights on corporate best practices. OFAC’s symposium this year … read more

This is the second of a two-part blog post on Trade Promotion Authority (“TPA”), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (“TPP”), and the relationship between the two measures. Part 1 of this post can be accessed here. As an update to Part 1 of this post, the Senate voted 62-37 last Friday to pass TPA legislation which now … read more

Two important international trade measures are currently winding their way through the U.S. legislative process: Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The measures have more in common than the first two letters of their acronyms. As the United States decides whether and/or how to proceed with a comprehensive TPP international trade agreement, … read more

The United States has approved licenses for passenger ferry service to Cuba. These are the first legally licensed ferry voyages between the United States and Cuba in more than fifty years.  Earlier this week and anticipating that the licensed ferry operations would raise further questions about who is eligible to use the ferries, the U.S. Office of … read more

Few are the days when the topic of international trade dominates news media stories and Capitol Hill hallway discussions. Last week was exceptional. Attention focused on whether the Senate would move forward in considering a bill to grant President Obama Trade Promotion Authority (“TPA”). TPA legislation is generally recognized as the necessary first step toward … read more