Increased Trademark Fees
The Trademark Office is considering raising fees for some trademark filings.
Acquired Distinctiveness Requires Both Continuous and Exclusive Use of a Trademark
Long continuous use of a trademark is not always sufficient for showing it has acquired distinctiveness.
Patent Office Power Outage Shutdown
The Patent Office suffered a catastrophic power shutdown the week of Christmas 2015.
Trademark Law Ruled Unconstitutional
The Trademark Office’s prohibition against the registration of disparaging trademarks was struck down as unconstitutional yesterday. Many have questioned for a long time how a statute could legitimately refuse to register some marks because of their moral quality. Nevertheless, for…
Can I trademark a scent?
A trademark for a smell can be obtained, but it can be difficult.
What is acquired distinctiveness?
A trademark has acquired distinctiveness if it has become known in the industry after several years of use as designating the source of the goods or services on which it is used.
Acronyms as Trademarks
What does the acronym stand for, and does the term(s) directly describe the product or service with which the mark is used in connection? Do those who work in the same field have any familiarity with the term and its acronym? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, trademark registration may not be possible.
Specimens Showing Use of Service Marks
The Trademark Office issued examination guidelines this week regarding service mark specimens.
Section 15 Trademark Declarations
Section 15 Trademark Declarations are requests that trademark registration be considered incontestable and valid.
Rare Federal Circuit Case Upholds Rejection of Trademark as Disparaging
A recent Federal Circuit trademark case highlighted the requirement that trademarks not disparage political or religious organizations.