I had a great time talking with Laura and April over at Rein In Your Herd Podcast. On Episode 36, Legal Considerations for Horse Businesses with Jo Belasco, We discussed trademarks, liability, and business formation – all for equine businesses. Take a listen, and be sure to check out their other podcasts! Thanks Laura and April for having me on the show! Read More
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Holy or Holey Donut Trademarks
One of the biggest questions I get from businesses is why they should invest in getting a trademark registration. A recent donut debate shows the importance of protecting your brand. The Holy Donut in Maine received its federal trademark registration in 2016 (Registration number 5057631). While it is located exclusively in Maine right now, the company has enforced its trademark against businesses across the country. One way it has done so is to enter into a coexistence agreement if the infringing company is not located in New England. Doing so allows the other company to still use the name but Read More
Border Collie Inherits $5 Million Trust
A recent news article at CNN reports on a Nashville Border Collie who is the subject of a $5 million trust. That’s a lot of balls, frisbees, sheep, and treats for the lucky BC. It turns out that when Bill Dorris, a successful businessman, died last year, he left a provision in his will to create a trust that ensures his Border Collie, Lulu, is taken care of for the rest of her life. He chose a friend, Martha Burton, who often took care of Lulu when Mr. Dorris went on trips, to take care of Lulu and to receive Read More
Consent Decrees and Consequences
I have spent the last day trying to figure out exactly how I want to word this blog entry. I am a wild Mustang advocate and an equine attorney, and those two parts of me are in conflict right now. I have read the 170-page PDF the BLM has issued concerning the proposed gather and removal of all horses from 3 HMAs in southwestern Wyoming. I was hoping to find a novel argument that would make the BLM decide not to pick that alternative among four that they mention in the report. But the job of an attorney is to Read More
COVID19 Legal Issues for the Horse Community
Click HERE for the free e-book. Are you concerned about the legal issues surrounding COVID19 and your horse business or personal horses? I have written an e-book entitled “Horse People, Don’t Panic: COVID19 Legal Issues for the Horse Community.” It’s a free PDF download, and you are encouraged to share it in its entirety and let others know they can download it here. You will learn about legal issues concerning liability, horse care if you get sick, equine estate planning, and contracts during these difficult times. This is an educational service of Windhorse Legal, PLLC, and does not constitute legal Read More