If you run an Ontario corporation, there’s a good chance your minute book is sitting on a shelf somewhere, mostly forgotten. That’s a mistake — and one that can get expensive at exactly the wrong moment. Here’s what business owners need to know about keeping their corporate records current and what happens if they don’t.
Why Your Minute Book Matters More Than You Think Read More »
Should You Incorporate Your Ontario Business? Here’s What to Know Not all business structures are created equal. If you’re operating as a sole proprietor or general partnership, you may be exposing yourself — and your personal assets — to more risk than you realize. Incorporating is one of the most significant steps you can
Incorporating a business in Ontario Read More »
Every food entrepreneur I know has a business plan. Market analysis, product roadmap, pricing strategy, distribution targets. The ones who have been doing this for a while often have a financial model, a co-packer relationship mapped out, and a launch timeline. What’s usually missing — and what the Spyce Girlz case illustrates in practical
Lessons from Spyce Girlz: Why Regulatory Strategy Should Be Part of Your Business Plan Read More »
When Lily Bond launched Spyce Girlz, she wasn’t trying to infringe anyone’s trademark. She was doing what food entrepreneurs do: moving fast, making decisions with limited resources, and trying to get a great product to market. The cease-and-desist letter that arrived later was a surprise — but it shouldn’t have been. Trademark risk is
Five Hidden Legal Risks in Food Startups — And How to Avoid Them Read More »
Here’s a question that matters more than most food entrepreneurs realize: could a reasonable consumer confuse your brand with someone else’s? That question — deceptively simple on the surface — is at the heart of Canadian trademark law. It’s the test that determined the outcome of Spyce Girlz v. Spice Girls, and it’s the
Brand Confusion and Consumer Perception: The Legal Test That Can Make or Break Your Name Read More »
It arrives in your inbox or by registered mail. A letter from a law firm you’ve never heard of, representing a company you probably have. It says your brand name infringes on their client’s trademark rights. It demands you stop using it — immediately. It’s a cease-and-desist letter, and for most small food producers,
From Cease and Desist to Next Steps Read More »
When most people think about trademark protection, they imagine a straightforward process: you register your name, and you’re protected. If only it were that simple. Trademarks don’t work that way. They work by category — by ‘class’ — and the class you file in determines where you’re protected. Miss a class, and you’ve left
Why Trademark Classes Matter More Than You Think Read More »
Here’s a conversation I have often with food entrepreneurs: They know they need legal help; they’re just not sure they can afford it. It’s a real tension. Food startups run on tight margins. Every dollar in the early stage is spoken for. Legal fees can feel like a line item that gets pushed to
How to Legally Protect Your Food Startup Without Breaking the Bank Read More »
There’s a moment in every food startup’s journey where the brand feels real for the first time. You’ve chosen a name. You’ve sketched a logo. The label is starting to take shape. It’s exciting — and it’s also precisely the moment when legal groundwork matters most. The Spyce Girlz case serves as a compelling
Before You Print the Label: Legal Steps to Protect — and Keep — Your Brand Name Read More »
