Our webinar featuring Charis Dorsey, The Brand Attorney, was a treasure trove of valuable legal insights for salon owners, product founders, and beauty professionals alike. Charis shared her expertise on how to safeguard beauty businesses from legal pitfalls and set them up for long-term success.
She tackled many areas. ANHC PRO Executive Director Elaine Truesdale found a few especially useful for salon owners and product founders.
Salon Owners Can Protect the Unique Look and Feel of Their Salon Space with Trade Dress
Charis revealed that salon owners can protect the layout and design of their salon space by registering it with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) under trade dress. This legal measure allows owners to prevent competitors from copying their distinctive salon atmosphere. From your layout to the overall aesthetic, protecting the look and feel of your space can give your business a competitive edge.
The Corporate Transparency Act Requires Filing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)
Charis underscored the importance of filing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) in compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act passed in 2021. Failing to file your BOI by the deadline could result in fines of up to $500 per day. She urged attendees to stay on top of this filing to avoid regulatory penalties and ensure their businesses remain in good standing.
Beauty Businesses Can and Should Copyright Their Marketing and Product Content
Beauty businesses can significantly benefit from copyrighting marketing materials, photography, and packaging. Charis explained how copyrighting logos, images, and social media content gives you legal ownership and prevents others from using your creative assets without permission. This is especially important for product lines, where distinct branding plays a vital role in customer recognition and brand equity.
Essential Registrations and Contracts Every Beauty Business Should Have
Charis provided an extensive list of registrations and contracts needed to protect your business, including:
Trademarks for brand names and logos.
Copyrights for marketing materials, packaging, and creative content.
Trade secret protections for proprietary processes or formulas.
In addition to registrations, Charis highlighted the need for solid contracts such as employment agreements, booth rental contracts, and revenue-sharing agreements. These documents can prevent costly disputes and protect your business operations.
Non-Use, Non-Disclosure, and Non-Circumvention Clauses Are Essential in Confidentiality Agreements
Charis emphasized the importance of including non-use, non-disclosure, and non-circumvention clauses in confidentiality agreements. These clauses ensure that proprietary information—such as client lists, vendor relationships, and business processes—remains protected, even after an employee or partner leaves the business. By implementing these safeguards, business owners can prevent their unique advantages from being used by competitors.
Exclusive Offers from Charis Dorsey
As a bonus, Charis Dorsey generously provided ANHC PRO members exclusive discounts on her legal services. These special offers include:
A $200 discount on trademark filings.
A free 30-minute strategy call to discuss your specific legal needs and outline next steps.
To take advantage of these offers, book a discovery call here: Book a Discovery Call
This webinar was packed with actionable insights designed to help beauty business owners protect their intellectual property, strengthen their contracts, and stay compliant with evolving regulations. These tips are essential for anyone looking to build a secure foundation for long-term success in the beauty industry.
The complete recording is available for ANHC PRO Members and Partners in our video library: https://www.anhcpro.org/pro-library
Great tips and info! Thanks for sharing it with our community!