LES San Diego Event: Cannabis—The Legal Landscape
C
annabis—The Legal Landscape was the title of LES San Diego’s June 4 event held at Knobbe Martens offices. The expert panel discussion touched on Meeting Co-Chairs Tom Cowan, left, and a variety of legal is- Benjamin Anger, right. sues related to state legalization of cannabis, including intellectual property (patents and trademarks), licensing, regulations, criminal laws, and federal/state law conflicts. With the growth of statewide legalization of marijuana and other cannabis based products around the country, patrons, producers, innovators, and executives alike in cannabis related fields are unsure of the risks and the returns of investments in the cannabis industry. Chapter Co-Chair Tom Cowan observed, “An interesting aspect is that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is generally amenable to patents on cannabis and so-called ‘plant-touching’ inventions, but it remains somewhat unamenable to many plant-touching trademark applications. However, there is still recourse to protect a cannabis business’s intellectual property assets. Specialists in intellectual
property law can help guide clients looking to protect their brand and innovations in this area.”
The panel consisted of Dr. Dale Hunt, Plant Scientist and Patent Attorney, Plant & Planet Law Firm; Jessica McElfresh, Attorney, McElfresh Law, Inc.; and David Branfman, Attorney, Branfman Law Group, P.C.
Co-Chairs Tom Cowan and Benjamin Anger both with Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP organized the event.
Tom Cowan moderates the panel. From left, Jessica McElfresh, David Branfman and Dr. Dale Hunt at the San Diego Chapter event.
LES Philly: Understanding and Negotiating Equity Agreements in Tech Deals—What Do You Need To Know?
W
hat does a founder, executive, or investor need to know about equity related agreements in tech? That was the question answered at the LES Philly Chapter Event on July 23 at Wodify Technologies.
Harry Vartanian, Chapter Chair
12 | LES Viewpoints
Michael Poisel
Marc Singer
Michael Poisel, Director of the Penn Center of Innovation (PCI) Ventures and Marc Singer, Managing Partner of Osage University Partners (OUP), reviewed the terms of stock purchase agreements, investor rights agreements and other common equity agreements in tech deals. Topics also included participating preferred equity, dividends, tag along and drag along rights, etc.
Michael Poisel from PCI addresses the group.
Chapter Chair Harry Vartanian organized the event and said, “Mike and Marc’s presentation was interesting, functioning as a minicourse on equity agreements delivered in just 40 minutes.” The event attracted 25 attendees and was held at the Wodify event space in the heart of new Market East in Philly.
LES Philly leaders from left: Griffin Strader, Robert Leonard, Harry Vartanian, and Herbert Hoffman.
