News & Analysis as of

Likelihood of Confusion Trademark Registration

Roetzel & Andress

Baylor University v. Boston University: What the BU Battle Means for Your Brand

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Baylor University filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Boston University, claiming that Boston’s use of an “interlocking BU” logo is confusingly similar to Baylor’s federally registered trademark, that also features...more

Miller Nash LLP

From Cocktails to Mocktails: Protecting Your Brand in America's $9 Billion N/A Market

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The American drinking landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. While alcohol used to be a staple for late nights, social gatherings, and weekend relaxation, today's consumers are increasingly mindful about their...more

Haug Partners LLP

Federal Circuit Reverses TTAB Decision in Sunkist Growers, Inc. v. Intrastate Distributors, Inc.: Minor Variations Are Not Always...

Haug Partners LLP on

On July 23, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s (TTAB) dismissal of Sunkist Growers, Inc.’s (Sunkist) opposition to Intrastate Distributors, Inc.’s (IDI)...more

K&L Gates LLP

Karen Walker Has a Runaway Win Before the Trade Marks Office

K&L Gates LLP on

In a recent decision of the Australian Trade Marks Office, Karen Walker Limited successfully opposed the registration of the mark ‘Runaway the Label‘ for clothing, footwear and headgear (class 25) and online retail services...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

I Found An “I-Dentical” (or Similar) Trademark! What Now?

Troutman Pepper Locke on

“I-dentical.” With a clap for emphasis and a wave of two hands, this phrase became one of the more memorable quotes from a trial. Although, in this case, it was a trial made for Hollywood, where Joe Pesci, a New York...more

Clark Hill PLC

Worried your trademark might be commercially and conceptually weak? Recent opinions by the trademark trial and appeal board...

Clark Hill PLC on

As any marketing expert will tell you, the best trademarks are both creative and unique. Such “strong” trademarks are more memorable and set a product apart from competitors’ products....more

International Lawyers Network

Global Giants vs. Local Legends: The Fanatics v FanFirm IP Battle Unpacked

Fanatics, LLC v FanFirm Pty Ltd [2025] FCAFC 87 - The Full Federal Court of Australia has passed judgment on a clash between local sports merchandiser, FanFirm Pty Limited, and a global opponent, Fanatics, LLC in a case about...more

Knobbe Martens

Sunkist Squeezes Out a Win and Kisses Kist Goodbye!

Knobbe Martens on

SUNKIST GROWERS, INC. v. INTRASTATE DISTRIBUTORS, INC. - Before Prost, Taranto, and Stark.  Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The TTAB incorrectly found that similar trademarks created distinct commercial...more

Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP

The Federal Circuit takes on Kisses, Sunlight, and Soft Drinks

An application for a US trademark may be rejected if it is likely, when used on or in connection with the goods of the applicant, to cause confusion with another registered mark. On July 23, in Sunkist Growers, Inc. v....more

Jaburg Wilk

The Trademark Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Jaburg Wilk on

Registering a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides significant legal benefits, including nationwide protection and the presumption of ownership. Federal registration is a smart investment for...more

Morgan Lewis

EU General Court Affirms English Trade Marks Must Pass A1–A2 Bar

Morgan Lewis on

In Karneolis LTD v. EU Intellectual Property Office and Match Group LLC,[1] the EU General Court ruled in favour of Match Group LLC, the dating app conglomerate that owns and operates, among others, Tinder, Hinge, and...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag, and it Might be Infringing – Cannabis Companies Clash Over Trademarks for Storage Bags

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IP cases in the cannabis industry are lighting up court dockets more and more. In a new case with potential for serious baggage, Kinzie Advanced Polymers, LLC (“Kinzie”) filed a federal lawsuit against a group of...more

Mayer Brown

Non-Traditional Trademarks

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In the debut episode of The Upper Brand podcast, Mayer Brown attorneys Richard Assmus, Kristine Young, and Christa Cole delve into the evolving world of non-traditional trademarks—covering everything from colors and scents to...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Making Your Mark

Brewed in San Diego: Trademark Lessons from America's Craft Beer Capital and Beyond

This year, the INTA Annual Meeting lands in sunny San Diego, California—a city known not only for its breathtaking coastline, laid-back vibe, and rich cultural diversity, but also for its dynamic landscape of iconic brands...more

Amundsen Davis LLC

How Businesses Can Enforce Trademark Registrations

Amundsen Davis LLC on

Trademark registrations are a great tool for business owners to protect their brand identity. Unlike some other forms of intellectual property protection, trademarks can last forever provided that they are actively used and...more

Harris Beach Murtha PLLC

Fourth Circuit Confirms: Physical Distance Does Not Avoid Trademark Confusion

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued a decision confirming that using similar names for businesses in the same industry can result in a likelihood of confusion despite the physical distance of the entities. In...more

Knobbe Martens

Fireball Frenzy: When First Registering a Mark, Genericness of a Mark Is Determined at the Time of Registration

Knobbe Martens on

BULLSHINE DISTILLERY LLC v. SAZERAC BRANDS, LLC - Before Moore, Reyna and Taranto. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. In assessing genericness, the TTAB considers how the mark was understood at the time of...more

Irwin IP LLP

Your “Chicken Scratch” May Be Confusing 

Irwin IP LLP on

In Re R.S. Lipman Brewing Co., LLC, 2025 WL 1099603 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 14, 2025) - Be careful when selecting a name for your product, otherwise you might find yourself cooked at the United States Patent and Trademark Office...more

McDermott Will & Schulte

Opposers Beware: Your Own Mark May Not Be Protectable

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board’s dismissal of an opposition to the registration of the marks IVOTERS and IVOTERS.COM while also noting that the US Patent &...more

Fish & Richardson

TTAB Puts Pool Hall Behind the 8 Ball

Fish & Richardson on

On March 20, 2025, the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) granted an opposition filed by Jack’s Family Restaurants, LP, and denied an application filed by Jack’s Grill and Billiards, Inc., to register JACK’S...more

Offit Kurman

Trademark Registration Misconceptions: What Brand Owners Should Know

Offit Kurman on

Many business owners view trademark registration as a smart investment—and they’re right. A federal registration gives you valuable legal advantages, including nationwide priority, a presumption of ownership, and stronger...more

McDermott Will & Schulte

Zone of Natural Expansion Is a Shield, Not a Sword

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a Trademark Trial & Appeal Board decision to partially cancel trademarks, ruling that an opposition challenger could not use the zone of natural expansion doctrine to...more

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Compassion in Registration: A Lesson in Filing Narrow Trademark Applications

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Identical trademarks can coexist, as the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board once again emphasized when it overturned the refusal of a COMPASSION IN ACTION mark. ...more

McDermott Will & Schulte

No Bull: Historically Generic Term Can Become Non-Generic

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed Trademark Trial & Appeal Board rulings, finding that a previously generic term was not generic at the time registration was sought because at that time the mark, as...more

Fenwick & West LLP

Dupe or Deception? What e.l.f.’s Win Over Benefit Means for Beauty Brands

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The battle over beauty “dupes” just got more interesting. In a major win for e.l.f. Cosmetics, a California federal judge ruled that its Lash ’N Roll mascara doesn’t infringe the trademarks and trade dress of Benefit...more

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