Lenny Kravitz is suing merchandising company Cinder Block LLC for trademark infringement, based on an agreement that allegedly expired in March 2013. According to court documents, Kravitz entered into an agreement with the California based company in September 2009. For years, the company legally sold several products featuring the artist’s name and likeness, including t-shirts,
Kohl’s may have to pull a popular teen t-shirt after Jack Daniel’s, or more specifically the brand’s owner Brown-Forman, claimed that the shirt violated its trademark. The shirt is being marketed under the brand About a Girl as part of the retailer’s back to school sales aimed at preteen shoppers. The black and white design
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) assigns trademark registrations using a “use-based” system, meaning trademark registrations are awarded by “priority-of-use.” However, most foreign countries use a “first-to-file” system, where the first party to apply is given full trademark rights, even if they are not affiliated with the brand. “Bad-faith trademark filing” or “trademark
Beats Electronics, owned by hip-hop artist and producer Dr. Dre, is an American producer of headphones, speakers and other audio products. Four years ago, sales of premium headphones – those priced $99 and up – were worth $59 million in North America. In 2012, headphone sales exploded to $850 million, and nearly two out of
John Wayne was one of the most iconic actors in American cinema history, famous for his walk, talk and good looks. He was also famous for his moniker “The Duke”, a childhood nickname that followed him even after he became a celebrity. Currently, John Wayne’s family is looking to sell a line of Kentucky bourbon
When the U.S. Patent and Trademark office considers an application, the distinctiveness of the applicant’s mark is an important factor in their evaluation. Trademark protection offers you exclusive rights to a certain name or phrase, so the patent office needs to know: Is that name or phrase distinctive enough to identify your product and your
Two of the most important components in any trademark infringement lawsuit are customer confusion and damage to the brand. If a defendant can prove both of these, he does not have to prove actual profit loss to collect damages. In 2008, Los Angeles-based juice company Pom Wonderful filed a federal trademark lawsuit against Coca-Cola over
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cited federal trademark laws banning offensive or disparaging language when they canceled six federal trademark registrations for the name “Washington Redskins.” Based on today’s ruling, the Washington Redskins no longer own trademarks on the following words and phrases: “The Redskins” “Washington Redskins” “Redskins” and “Redskinettes.” The patent office also
Pop superstar Madonna is currently involved in a trademark infringement lawsuit over her line of “Hard Candy” gyms. The woman who taught the world to “Vogue” is being accused of maliciously stealing the name Hard Candy from a beauty and fashion company of the same name, and using the phrase to promote her gyms and
According to NBC 7 San Diego, Shawne Merriman is suing Nike over a new line of athletic clothing, claiming the company is infringing on his trademarked nickname “Lights Out”. According to the suit, Merriman and Nike were in negotiations to start a clothing brand with his trademark phrase, but nothing official was ever decided. Nike
