In April 2025, a trademark dispute erupted that perfectly illustrates the David vs. Goliath battles small businesses face in protecting their brand identity. Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, filed a petition asking the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel the trademark registration of Seattle Strong, a cold brew company that started … Read more
Even a $6.5 billion deal between tech giants can be brought to a halt by a trademark dispute. OpenAI and legendary (former) Apple designer Jony Ive just learned this lesson the hard way when a federal judge ordered them to stop marketing their new AI hardware venture due to trademark infringement claims from a competing … Read more
In the rapidly evolving world of financial technology, timing isn’t just everything. It’s the difference between securing your competitive advantage and watching competitors claim the digital territory you pioneered. JPMorgan Chase’s recent trademark filing for “JPMD” offers valuable lessons in intellectual property protection that every business operating in the fintech space should study carefully. On … Read more
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has turned social media mockery into a potential six-figure business opportunity by filing a trademark application for “Mebounds” – a term originally coined by critics to describe her tendency to rebound her own missed shots. The move demonstrates a masterclass in brand protection strategy that every business owner can learn … Read more
The entertainment industry was recently shaken by a high-profile trademark infringement lawsuit that demonstrates how even established creators can find themselves in costly legal disputes when proper trademark protections aren’t secured. Tyler Perry, along with Netflix and actress Terri J. Vaughn, faces a federal lawsuit over the title and content of their 2025 comedy series … Read more
What started as a clever pun for an Ohio food truck has become a federal trademark battlefield that every business owner should understand. On June 3, 2025, Kellogg North America Co. LLC filed a comprehensive trademark lawsuit against a small hibachi operation called “L’eggo My Eggroll,” transforming what might have seemed like harmless wordplay into … Read more
Your brand name is your business identity – but what happens when that carefully chosen name becomes legally unprotectable? A recent decision from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board demonstrates how a seemingly clever product name can become a business owner’s worst nightmare. In Shenzhen Tianjian Business Co. v. Shenzhen Ruiquansheng Technology Co., the USPTO’s trademark … Read more
In a smart business move that underscores the importance of proactive trademark protection, Britney Spears has officially filed a trademark for her upcoming jewelry line “B Tiny” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The filing, submitted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, represents more than just paperwork—it’s a masterclass in how celebrities and entrepreneurs … Read more
Tesla’s ambitious plans for autonomous vehicle domination just hit an unexpected legal roadblock. In May 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) rejected Tesla’s trademark application for “Robotaxi,” calling the term “merely descriptive” and too generic for trademark protection. This rejection serves as a perfect case study in what happens when even tech … Read more
In the era of digital branding, I hear a question more and more frequently: “Should you trademark your blog name and logo?” The internet has effectively lowered the bar to entry for many fields, spawning new brands at unprecedented rates. This rise prompts bloggers, big and small, to contemplate the legal protections they need for … Read more
In today’s competitive marketplace, your trademark is often your most valuable business asset. When another entity uses your trademark without permission, you face not just a legal challenge but a direct threat to your brand identity and customer relationships. Trademark infringement can erode years of careful brand building, redirect your hard-earned customers to competitors, and … Read more
Are you using a business name, logo, or slogan without a federal trademark registration? You may already have valuable legal protections in place. Common law trademark rights automatically attach to marks used in commerce, providing important but limited protections for your brand identity. While these unregistered trademark rights offer certain benefits, understanding their limitations is … Read more
Few entertainment companies protect their intellectual property as aggressively as Lucasfilm, the studio behind the Star Wars franchise. With a multimedia empire spanning films, television shows, merchandise, gaming, and more, Lucasfilm has built one of the most valuable trademark portfolios in entertainment history. The company’s approach to defending these assets has shaped modern trademark enforcement … Read more
Music is art, but if you want to make money at it, you’ll need to view your musical career as a business, too. If you’re in a band, one of the most important things you can do for the group is trademark your band name. Here are five things musicians need to know about the … Read more
Onesies are some of the most popular forms of baby wear and a favorite baby shower gift. There are even adult one-piece pajamas that look like large versions of these baby outfits. They have even become streetwear in the form of jumpsuits for men and women. If you are planning to buy one, however, remember … Read more
In the high-stakes world of sports merchandising, brand identity carries tremendous value—and athletes are increasingly taking legal action to protect their commercial rights. The recent trademark dispute between Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. over the number 8 highlights the complex intersection of personal branding, trademark law, and commercial interests … Read more