Gerben IP’s Trademark Blog

European Union Trademarks, International

EU Trademark Registration Process

As the owner of a U.S. registered trademark, you understand and appreciate the legal protections your trademark provides. Those legal protections, however, only apply to trademark disputes within the United States. In order to gain international trademark protections, you must register your mark outside the U.S., in countries where you are currently doing business, and in those where you plan to […]

General, Sports

Trademark for Raptors’ Logo Opposed by Monster Energy

 The Toronto Raptors do not own a federal trademark registration for the team’s “claw on a basketball” logo. Our story starts in 2014 when the Raptors redesigned their logo to what it is today (with Canadian rapper Drake having an important consulting role). The Raptors filed 18 trademark applications around the new logo.  Then, in May of 2015, Monster Energy […]

Apparel & Accessories, Industries

How Much Does it Cost to Trademark a Clothing Brand?

In the clothing industry, branding is everything. To be successful, you must protect and manage your brand while your business and your clothing line grow. A trademark registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, is the best way to both protect and maintain control of your brand. While there are costs associated with registering your trademark, […]

In The News, Sports

The XFL is Actively Pursuing a Trademark for “HE HATE ME”

  The XFL is actively pursuing a trademark registration for “HE HATE ME.”   For those that remember the original days of the XLF, HE HATE ME is actually Rod Smart, who made the phrase famous by putting it on the back of his jersey.  Rod Smart continued to use the nickname after the XFL disbanded and was even tweeting from […]

Sports

Tom Brady Files Trademarks for “TOM TERRIFIC”

  Two very interesting filings were recently made by Tom Brady’s company, TEB Capital. TEB Capital is the entity that owns all the “TB12” trademarks that Tom has used and registered. As you can see in the video above, there were two new trademark filings made on May 24 for “TOM TERRIFIC.” Tom Terrific is a relatively obscure nickname that […]

European Union Trademarks, International

4 Reasons to Register Your Trademark in the European Union

If you own a registered trademark in the U.S., you understand the importance of the legal protections provided to you and your brand. These protections, however, will only apply to legal disputes within the United States. In order to gain trademark protections internationally, you must register your trademark in the countries and regions where you currently do business and those where […]

General

Understanding Your Trademark Search Results

When we run a comprehensive trademark search for you, our attorneys provide a risk analysis report based on federal, state and common law levels. This article provides an overview of what each trademark search covers, as well as the meaning of the risk analysis our attorneys have provided. Federal Trademark Searches Federal trademark registrations are perhaps the most important search […]

How To's, Trademark Search

Why Are Trademark Searches Critical to New Brands?

As a new brand seeking to establish itself as a reputable source of products and sources, a trademark registration is an excellent way to provide a greater sense of authenticity and legitimacy for the brand, as well as produce a barrier of legal protection for the brand you have worked so hard to build. Prior to filing an application for your […]

General, Government, In The News

Supreme Court: Filing Bankruptcy Does Not Terminate a Trademark License

Licensing a trademark is one of several ways for a brand-owner to monetize its brand. Brand owners can enter into exclusive, or non-exclusive licensing deals with others to expand into new markets, develop new product lines, or embark on new collaborations. But what kind of risks do parties need to consider when entering into a licensing agreement? A recent ruling issued […]

How To's

How to Ensure a Trademark License is Done Properly

When you registered your trademark with the USPTO, you may not have considered one day allowing others to use it.  Now, as your business expands and your brand is becoming more recognizable, it may be time to consider licensing your trademark.  Trademark licensing is an agreement in which a registered trademark owner, the licensor, grants another party, the licensee, permission […]

Athletics, Sports

New Balance Files Trademark Application for “4 Bounces”

An interesting trademark filing was recently made by New Balance for “4 Bounces.” The trademark application was filed the day after Kawhi Leonard hit that shot that bounced four times on the rim, then went in, sending the Toronto Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals. Taking a look at the timestamp on the application, it was filed at 1:25PM. This […]

The Basics, Trademark Filing

Trademark “Stealth” Filings at the USPTO Under 44(D)

Imagine this: your company has spent the last year discretely planning the launch of your next flagship product. A significant amount of money has been spent developing a brand, and you’re ready to file the Federal trademark application to secure an early priority date before you launch in the U.S. Your company files, only to find out a third-party filed a […]

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