Rag & Bone Holdings Files a Trade Dress Application for the Number 44
On February 22, the retail brand Rag & Bone Holdings made a trade dress filing for the number 44.
Why would the retail brand want to make a filing for this number on the sleeve of bomber jackets?
Well, the 44th president, Barack Obama, was recently seen wearing this style of jacket at a UNC-Duke game. Only a few days after wearing the jacket at the game (and receiving considerable press coverage) Rag & Bone applied for the ’44’ trademark.
My prediction is that the USPTO should deny this application. This is because there is nothing in the trademark filing to show that President Obama gave the company consent to file for this trademark. Without such consent, given that the trademark application is a clear reference to the former President (a “living individual), the application should be denied.
Josh Gerben, Esq.
Josh Gerben, Esq. is the founder and principal of Gerben IP. In 2008, Mr. Gerben started the firm to provide high-quality trademark services at reasonable prices. Today, he is recognized by the World Trademark Review as a top trademark filer, having registered over 7,500 trademarks. The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and may not be relied on as legal advice.
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