One basis for opposing intent to use trademark applications is to show lack of a bona fide intent to use the mark at the time the application was file...
Famous Names Can Lead to Trademark Problems
If you share a name with a famous mark, you may be restricted in the use of your own name. It is especially important to refrain from creating assoc...
Graffiti Artist Sues American Eagle for Copyright Infringement
Ahol Sniffs Glue, a graffiti artist, uses his public art to express his social activism message and counter-cultural criticism. His Ocean Grown graf...
Five Questions to Ask When Deciding Whether to Pursue Patent Protection
1. Will you have the ability to detect an infringement and enforce your patent rights? If not, trade secret protection might be considered as an alt...
UGG v. JC Penney, Sears & Walmart
Thanks to Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement in 2000, UGG boots have risen to celebrity status in the shoe world. I can attest to the fact that most teen...
Seven Things Employers Can Do to Protect Their Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets
Employees and key company executives have access to proprietary business information that can be key to the company’s market position. Protecting ...
Starbucks vs. Charbucks – An Example of How Difficult It Can Be to Prevail in Court on Trademark Dilution Claims
Black Bear Micro Roastery has coffee flavors named “Mr. Charbucks” and “Charbucks Blend”. Starbucks Corporation was not amused and sued the ...
TTAB declares a federally registered trademark mark void after business partnership dissolves
Failure to maintain a formal business structure when securing trademark rights can be the death knell to your brand. Two business par...
Where are multinational companies filing trademarks?
The 2013 Trademark Report by Thomson Compumark reveals global trademark trends. The 2013 list is led by China, India, Mexico and Taiwan. The largest i...
Protecting your Inventions Abroad: Frequently Asked Questions About the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
(status on July 2014) INTRODUCTION These frequently asked questions about the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) outline the PCT procedure from an applic...