Gleam Law

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Gleam Law The Pacific NW's premier cannabis law firm practicing commercial law, litigation, and IP

Gleam Law is a cannabis-focused law firm with office in Seattle, Washington; San Francisco, California; Santa Monica, California; and Portland, Oregon. Our practice areas include entertainment law, intellectual property, business law, litigation, product liablity, and cannabis law.

Settling a business dispute is not the same as losing. And going to court isn't always a win. The right strategy depends...
10/08/2026

Settling a business dispute is not the same as losing. And going to court isn't always a win. The right strategy depends on the strength of your position, the costs involved, what outcome your business actually needs, and how much leverage you have going in.

Learn how to make that call confidently in this article.

Litigation or settlement? Which best fits your dispute? Learn the factors that determine the right path and how experienced counsel navigates the decision.

Imagine this: A contract was broken. You lost money. That feels like an open-and-shut case, doesn't it? But courts requi...
10/06/2026

Imagine this: A contract was broken. You lost money. That feels like an open-and-shut case, doesn't it? But courts require much more than a broken promise and a sense of grievance.

Before filing a breach of contract lawsuit, there are four legal elements every business must be able to prove. Learn what they are and where claims most often fall short in this article.

Breach of contract claims require more than a broken promise. Learn the four legal elements every business must prove before filing suit.

Most business disputes start with a conversation. Some end in court. Knowing when to pursue litigation and when to explo...
10/01/2026

Most business disputes start with a conversation. Some end in court. Knowing when to pursue litigation and when to explore other options can mean the difference between recovering what you're owed and spending more than it's worth.

Here's a practical guide to when a business dispute becomes a lawsuit, and what to expect when it does.

Not every dispute belongs in court. Learn when a business dispute warrants a lawsuit, what commercial litigation involves, and how to assess your options.

Not every product feature can be protected by a trademark. In fact, if a design feature is considered functional, tradem...
09/29/2026

Not every product feature can be protected by a trademark. In fact, if a design feature is considered functional, trademark law won't protect it. No matter how recognizable it becomes.

In this article, we explain the trademark functionality doctrine, how it affects trade dress protection, and why understanding this distinction is essential before investing in a product's branding strategy.

Trademark functionality is a complete bar to protection for useful product features. Learn what the doctrine covers and what it means for trade dress.

If a registered trademark should never have been granted or is no longer entitled to protection, a TTAB cancellation pro...
09/24/2026

If a registered trademark should never have been granted or is no longer entitled to protection, a TTAB cancellation proceeding may provide a path to remove it from the federal register.

Whether the issue involves prior rights, abandonment, fraud, or another legal ground, understanding how cancellation proceedings work is essential for businesses looking to protect their brands or defend an existing registration.

This article explains what TTAB cancellation proceedings are, who can file them, the grounds for cancellation, and what to expect throughout the process.

TTAB cancellation proceedings can remove a conflicting trademark registration. Learn the grounds, process, and strategy for filing or defending a petition.

In the United States, filing first doesn't always mean you own the stronger trademark rights. Unlike many countries that...
09/21/2026

In the United States, filing first doesn't always mean you own the stronger trademark rights. Unlike many countries that follow a first-to-file system, U.S. trademark law generally gives priority to the party that first uses a mark in commerce. But federal registration can still play a critical role by establishing nationwide priority through constructive use.

In this article, we explain how trademark priority is determined, why timing matters, and the steps businesses can take to strengthen their position from the very beginning.

Trademark priority in the U.S. goes to first use, not first filing. Learn how common law rights and ITU applications determine who wins disputes.

Many businesses assume they can use the ® symbol as soon as they file a trademark application. In reality, ® is reserved...
09/14/2026

Many businesses assume they can use the ® symbol as soon as they file a trademark application. In reality, ® is reserved exclusively for federally registered trademarks. Using it too early, or failing to use it once a registration is granted, can affect your ability to enforce your rights.

Knowing the difference between ™, SM, and ® is more than a branding detail. It's an important part of protecting the value of your intellectual property.

In our latest article, we explain when each trademark symbol should be used, common mistakes to avoid, and why proper symbol use matters in trademark enforcement.

Improper trademark symbol use can cost you damages, invite fraud claims, and weaken enforcement. Learn exactly when ®, ™, and SM apply under U.S. law.

Becoming a household name is every brand's dream. But in trademark law, it can also become a risk.When consumers start u...
09/07/2026

Becoming a household name is every brand's dream. But in trademark law, it can also become a risk.

When consumers start using a brand name as the generic term for an entire product category, that trademark can lose the very legal protection that made it valuable in the first place. Read this article to learn more.

A generic trademark loses all legal protection. Learn how successful brands fall victim to genericide, and what active brand management helps prevent it.

Your business partner filed the trademark in their name only, and now the relationship has soured. Does that mean they ...
08/31/2026

Your business partner filed the trademark in their name only, and now the relationship has soured. Does that mean they own the brand you both built?

Not necessarily. U.S. trademark law is built around use, not just registration, and prior use can be a powerful legal foundation.

Read the full article to understand your rights before the window to act closes.

Trademark ownership isn't just about who filed first. Learn how prior use and partnership disputes affect who truly owns a mark under U.S. law.

Most trademark owners know to watch for competitors copying their brand. Fewer realize the threat can come from their ow...
08/24/2026

Most trademark owners know to watch for competitors copying their brand. Fewer realize the threat can come from their own licensing arrangements.

Naked licensing, granting someone permission to use your mark without adequate quality control, can result in a court declaring your trademark abandoned.

Find out if your licensing strategy puts your rights at risk in this article.

Naked licensing can cost you your trademark rights entirely. Learn how courts evaluate it, and what quality control actually requires to stay protected.

Address

605 1st Avenue Suite 330
Seattle, WA
98104

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+12066932900

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gleam Law posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Gleam Law:

Shortcuts

Share

Category