Evil Enterprises Inc. has been trying since 2008 to register its mark to produce spoof apparel with the slogan “baseballs Evil Empire” wit...
Has iPad become a generic term?
Registering your trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office is only the first step in creating and maintaining your trademark. Brand...
Non-traditional marks
Businesses are increasingly innovative in the ways they brand themselves. No longer are businesses limited to traditional logos and slogans as source-...
Trade secrets and trade dress investments can payoff
Magnolia Bakery opened its first store in Greenwich Village, New York over 15 years ago. It is known for its cupcakes. The bakery believes its cupcake...
The rise of 3D-pringting as intellectual property
The technology of 3D-printing has made great progress, and the laws affecting this industry are catching up. A 3D-printer is a machine that builds obj...
In Consideration of Design Patents
After the recent wars between Apple and Samsung, the patent world has learned that design patents offer stronger protection than conventionally believ...
Australia IP’s Headstart Program for Trademarks Fast Tracks Registration in Australia
Under the Headstart accelerated examination system (AU$540 official fees), IP Australia will issue a confidential assessment within 5 working days as ...
Are you responsible for clearing alcoholic beverage trademarks?
The branding of an alcohol beverage product is key to its success and the most valuable asset aside from the recipe itself. To avoid the expense and r...
Forget about a trademark with “ale house” in it
Marks with “Ale House” probably can’t be registered on the federal Trademark Register. The combined term “ale house” has been deemed generic...
Restaurant Trade Dress Series, Part 4: How courts do NOT protect functional features
Part 1 of this series introduced trade dress in restaurants and Part 2 took a closer look at restaurant décor as trade dress. Part 3 explored how cou...