The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (“TMA”) becomes effective on December 27, 2021 and makes several important amendments to federal trademark law (the Lanham Act) intended to modernize trademark application examinations and clean house of trademark registrations for marks not used in commerce. USPTO announced on December 21, 2021, that it has created a new
Satanic Panic? Trademark Law’s Collision with the First Amendment
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Wearable art or a devilish rip-off? That’s the question posed by a recent collaborative release by art cooperative MSCHF Product Studio and musician Lil Nas X – the limited edition “Satan Shoes.” The Satan Shoes are constructed from Nike Air Max 97 shoes and feature a black
Avoiding Additional Fees in Connection with Registration Maintenance
Trademarks are use-based rights, meaning that a trademark is only entitled to be registered if the mark is actually in use. Likewise, the registrant must continue to use the mark in commerce in order to maintain registration and must take action to renew a trademark registration at various milestones (year 5, 10, 20, 30, etc.).
Fifth Circuit Rules Use of Vizzy and Brizzy For Seltzer Not Confusing
Future Proof Brands, L.L.C. (“Future Proof”) filed a trademark infringement action against Molson Coors Beverage Co. (“Coors”) objecting to its use of the mark Vizzy. Future Proof used and registered the mark Brizzy as a brand of hard seltzer containing carbonated water, alcohol and in most cases fruit flavors. When Coors branded its hard seltzer
Don’t Forget the Registration Symbol
A federal registration of a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office constitutes constructive notice of a registrant’s claim of ownership thereof. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §1111, a registrant may give notice that the mark is registered by displaying with the mark the words “registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office” or “reg.
The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 Adds New Tools to Fight Unused Trademarks and Implied Presumptions for Trademark Infringement Plaintiffs
Buried in the 5,500-page Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 among various COVID-19 relief was the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (“TMA”). The TMA, which will become effective on December 27, 2021, makes several important amendments to federal trademark law (the Lanham Act) intended to modernize trademark application examinations and clean house of trademark registrations for
Bookings.com: Supreme Court Rejects Bright-Line Rule on Generic Terms
In United States Patent & Trademark Office v. Booking.com B. V.,[1] SCOTUS held that a mark styled as “generic.com” is eligible for federal trademark registration if the applicant shows “generic.com” is not a generic name to consumers. Although the Court did not expressly say so, this decision chips away
USPTO Again Extends Certain Patent and Trademark Deadlines Through May 31, 2020
We previously reported that the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted a 30 day extension for many proceedings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The time period for this extension has been extended. As of time of publication, the USPTO has issued Orders granting a 30 day extension for (1) the specific filings set
People are Seriously Trying to Trademark “Coronavirus”
The COVID-19 pandemic has made people race to wash hands, stock up on toilet paper and sanitizer, and transition to working from home. But a separate group of “opportunistic” individuals have run another race—to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As of April 2, 2020, more than 85 trademark applications have been filed for
USPTO Extends Certain Patent and Trademark Deadlines Under CARES Act
In addition to providing financial support to individuals and small business, the much discussed CARES Act also authorized government agencies like the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to extend certain deadlines prescribed by statute. As of time of publication, the USPTO has granted a 30 day extension for (1) the specific filings set forth