You’re a software developer. You’ve worked hard on your product. All those hours, all that coding, all the design and testing. You put a lot into creating your software. Do you know how to protect what you’ve made? What is a trademark? In general, a trademark is legal protection for a name, design, logo, or other distinctive characteristic of a brand. […]
When you trademark your band’s name, you are making a major investment in the protection of your band’s identity and name, and you’re helping to prevent some major pitfalls and problems – ones that can create big headaches for you down the line. Protecting your band’s identity and name is important to your success – you’ve invested a great deal […]
The edition of New & Noteworthy features Monster Energy, who seems to file oppositions against, well, everything. There are also a lot of design mark filings, including the Ohio State’s proceedings against the POISON NUT and others which provide interesting insight into how design marks are prosecuted, monitored, and ultimately opposed/cancelled. Also, for the second week in a row, Sazerac protects […]
On March 24, 2015, the Supreme Court issued its opinion reversing the Eighth Circuit and holding that, in some narrow circumstances, a Trademark Trial & Appeal proceeding can have preclusive effects on federal district court litigation. In December, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for B&B Hardware vs. Hargis, an appeal from an Eighth Circuit ruling that the District of […]
As you may have heard recently, trademark attorneys for Taylor Swift have filed for trademark protection for a number of lyrics and phrases taken from her songs. These trademark applications are still working their way through the USPTO approval protocol, so it remains to be seen whether the marks will be approved. That being said, the need and desire for musicians […]
Cosmetics are a multibillion-dollar industry. In fact, consumer spending on cosmetics in the U.S. alone tops $50 billion. And it’s more than just makeup. Skin care, body lotions, moisturizers, facial creams, and beyond – all of these products fall under the cosmetics umbrella, and consumers remain eager to purchase them. If you’re considering starting a cosmetics business, whether distributing other brands […]
The Super Bowl is coming up soon and two teams, the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will battle it out for the championship. But who is winning the trademark battle? The Super Bowl trademark itself has had its fair share of trademark controversy over the years, but this article will explore the trademark filings and oppositions of the Seattle […]
The concerns of running a bar business comprise a very long list: staffing, inventory management, choosing and maintaining your location, accounting and other financial concerns; the list goes on. With so much to worry about regarding the day-to-day operations, learning about the ins and outs of the trademark process – and whether you should even undertake registering a trademark for your […]
The online marketplace Etsy.com has become a place where artisans and antique collectors not only sell their wares, but run full-fledged, dedicated businesses through the site. That’s how popular it now is. With that popularity has come, as Etsy continues to expand, a vast number of new sellers every day, looking to take advantage of the site’s success. With that many […]
In a rare reversal, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board reversed an examiner’s finding that the stylized REDNECK RACEGIRL mark for various athletic apparel was confusingly similar to the standard word mark RACEGIRL for hats, belts, shirts and other apparel in Class 25. In its decision, the TTAB looked at the similarity of the marks, the similarity of the goods and […]
From ales to lagers beers, microbrews and the breweries that produce them are experiencing booming success regionally and across the country. Microbrew drinkers are now more like connoisseurs as they seek out their next favorite flavor profile, taking note of the subtleties of each drink. Whether you’re a small, “backyard” type operation producing just a few barrels, or a larger microbrewery […]
As an entrepreneur, the idea of starting a clothing line is a very attractive one. It allows you to combine your creative drive with your business acumen – two qualities that most entrepreneurs possess in abundance. Starting out, however, many entrepreneurs who are interested in the fashion and apparel industries may underestimate the importance of a trademark for their clothing brand. […]