Charlotte small businesses hit with costly rebrands over naming conflicts; Axios, August 28, 2026

 McKenzie Rankin , Axios; Charlotte small businesses hit with costly rebrands over naming conflicts

"Charlotte small businesses are losing money and marketing momentum after getting caught up in naming and trademark conflicts — sometimes days before opening.

Why it matters: It's already notoriously expensive to run a local business in Charlotte. But overlooking trademark clearance early on can mean paying for a new name, signage, branding and legal help after thousands of dollars have already been invested.

By the numbers: Federal trademark applications cost $350 per category of goods or services, explains Charlotte trademark attorney Darlene Harris, while hiring an attorney can run roughly $1,000-$5,000."

After trademark dispute, Voodoo Brewery relaunches Pitt-themed beer with tongue-in-cheek name; The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 12, 2018

Adam Bittner, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; After trademark dispute, Voodoo Brewery relaunches Pitt-themed beer with tongue-in-cheek name

"The West Coast-style India Pale Ale’s original branding was scuttled just days after its seasonal distribution to coincide with football season began last fall. Pitt attorneys contacted the brewery to contest the use of university-owned marks including the Cathedral of Learning and script lettering on the packaging, and Meadville-based Voodoo promptly began stripping labels off of cans to comply."

Trump’s Company Is Hiring an Ethics Adviser. Should Yours?; Inside Counsel, February 28, 2017

Michael W. Peregrine, Inside Counsel; 

Trump’s Company Is Hiring an Ethics Adviser. Should Yours?

"There is no broadly accepted portfolio for the role of a separate ethics officer, nor understanding of how such a role might encroach on the existing duties of the general counsel or the chief compliance officer. In addition, there is no general agreement on the qualifications for such a position, even though the evaluation of conflicts of interest and interpretation of federal ethical guidelines usually requires legal training."