• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • About Craft Brewing Business

Craft Brewing Business

Professional Insight, Unfiltered

  • News
  • Business & Marketing
  • Ingredients & Supplies
  • Packaging & Distribution
  • Equipment
  • Webinars & White Papers
  • COVID-19

OvalOptions launches network to help craft brewers with trademark disputes

September 17, 2015Jason Morgan

OvalOptions craft beer trademark
That time Editor Jason Morgan tried to file for a trademark on his own. If only there were someone to help… (Dramatic Reenactment.)

OvalOptions for Conflict Management is offering its Brewery Mediation Network (BMN) service in areas nationwide. The program aims to help connect craft breweries with local providers of mediation, facilitation and associated services to assist in resolving costly disputes, most noticeably those involving trademarks.

Trademark disputes are serious business in the craft beer industry. Click here for all of our trademark battle coverage and advice.

Breweries that contact the BMN are guided through a dispute roadmap, shaped by their unique situation, examining issues ranging from inter-brewery disputes to workplace tension. OvalOptions then suggests the most appropriate service and provider in their network and contact the other party. In certain instances, outside references may be given (e.g. legal advocacy).

Jason Gladfelter, co-owner of OvalOptions, conflict consultant and level 1 Cicerone, views trademark disputes as a threat to the industry’s image while inflicting economic damage.

“Legal fees in trademark cases can cost tens of thousands of dollars and take six months or more to conclude. Mediation can produce an amicable solution in a timely manner at a fraction of the cost, which is divided between the parties,” he said.

The BMN program is a contractual partnership between OvalOptions and local mediation providers across the country. Each provider and their services are vetted and evaluated by OvalOptions.

“This brings together two collaborative industries—mediation and craft brewing—for the benefit of each”, Gladfelter said. “We hope the BMN helps local businesses help each other.”

heavy seas loose cannon
The United Kingdom’s Loose Cannon Brewery, U.S.-based Heavy Seas Beer broker trademark peace agreement
guns n roses
Appetite for injunction: Oskar Blues sued by Guns ‘N’ Roses over Guns ‘N’ Rosé beer brand
blueberry muffin beer
“Blueberry Muffin” beer is not on tap at the Trademark Office
craft brewing trademark dispute
Courts help brewers protect their recipes and techniques from employee theft

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. CaptainCheers says

    September 20, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    OvalOptions launches network to help craft brewers with trademark disputes http://t.co/QpTySk3f6J

    Log in to Reply
  2. theredrose24 says

    September 19, 2015 at 2:25 am

    I hope The program will help connect craft breweries with local providers. Good news.

    Log in to Reply
    • BeerMediation says

      September 22, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Yes, that’s the central idea: connect breweries to appropriate providers who are close to them. Trademarks are handled a bit differently, but we try to keep things as local as possible.
      Cheers!

      Log in to Reply
  3. crsimp01 says

    September 18, 2015 at 8:54 am

    OvalOptions launches network to help craft brewers with trademark disputes http://t.co/80rw7FYRxL via @craftbrewingbiz

    Log in to Reply
  4. BeerAgentUKSean says

    September 18, 2015 at 3:39 am

    RT @CraftBrewingBiz: [email protected] launches network to help craft brewers with trademark, other disputes: http://t.co/BrMYn4Gkoz

    Log in to Reply
  5. LVRGLLC says

    September 17, 2015 at 2:16 pm

    #CraftBeer #CraftBrewing #Beer #BeerBiz OvalOptions launches network to help craft brewers with trademark disputes http://t.co/8cOKIYd4uy

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest News

  • Beer rebrands continue: Ballast Point, Fremont, New Glory and Blue Point (also, enjoy some tips for your refresh)
  • Colorado Strong launches public awareness campaign to help independent breweries
  • Here’s a video recap of 2020 from Deep Ellum Brewing, complete with dubstep score
  • Malt maker Rahr purchases all of eco energy maker Koda

Sign up for our newsletter

unsubscribe from list

Most Popular Today

Recent Features

  • Beer rebrands continue: Ballast Point, Fremont, New Glory and Blue Point (also, enjoy some tips for your refresh)
    January 21, 2021
  • virginia-beer-co-renovationHow Virginia Beer Co. used the shutdown to overhaul its facility (and keep people employed)
    January 19, 2021
  • Clean air, clean beer: New Ingersoll Rand oil-less reciprocating air compressors are ideal for breweries (aeration to canning)
    January 18, 2021
  • Non-alcoholic beer brand Athletic Brewing closes $17M+ in funding with famous backers, selects Crafted ERP, eyes big growth
    January 18, 2021
  • Watch: This awareness video on human trafficking from beer wholesaler Markstein Sales will move you to action
    January 14, 2021
  • Distribution updates: Massachusetts brewers celebrate franchise reform, Yuengling goes to Texas with Molson Coors and more from Bell’s, Stone and beyond
    January 14, 2021

Footer

  • Email Newsletter Sign Up
  • About Craft Brewing Business
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise on Craft Brewing Business
  • Media Kit Download
  • Privacy and Terms

© 2021 · CBB Media LLC

Continue ...

sponsored by