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
The Duchess of Sussex is encountering a series of hurdles in her attempt to launch her latest business venture. Meghan Markle faces significant challenges with her trademark application for “As Ever,” her new lifestyle brand that emerged after she was forced to pivot from her original concept. According to reports from the Daily Mail, the … Read more
John McEnroe, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis stars, is as well known for his fiery personality as for his extraordinary skill. His 1981 Wimbledon match against Bjorn Borg produced not only one of the most memorable matches in tennis history but also a catchphrase that would forever define his public persona: “You … Read more
Although Apple no longer says, “Think different,” the deliberately ungrammatical slogan is an important part of the company’s history. It created the image of rebelliousness and creativity that still define Apple today. History of Apple Although Apple no longer uses the “Think Different” slogan, the deliberately ungrammatical phrase remains an essential part of the company’s … Read more
Few things are as instantly recognizable as a box from Tiffany. The legendary jewelry company is known as much for its iconic jewelry designs as it is for those robin egg blue boxes with their white ribbons and simple black lettering. Now a global brand with stores in every major city, Tiffany began as a … Read more
Nike shoes take their name from the Greek goddess of victory. It’s a fitting symbol for one of the world’s biggest sellers of athletic shoes. The Nike “swoosh” is a symbol of athleticism all over the world. That image only grew when the company adopted its timeless slogan, “Just do it,” which has become one … Read more
Cadbury has sold chocolate products for over 200 years. It was one of the first chocolate companies to produce a genuinely creamy chocolate bar. Ever since it has reigned as the number-one-selling chocolate brand in the UK. Today, Cadbury is a billion-dollar corporation whose distinctive purple wrapper chocolates appear in stores around the world. The … Read more
Few companies are as closely linked to one specific color as United Parcel Service (UPS), which is popularly known as “Big Brown” and whose advertisements once asked, “What can brown do for you?” This iconic connection to the color brown has become synonymous with the company’s identity. The Atlanta-based United Parcel Service of America (commonly … Read more
Beginning with the return of Steve Jobs in 1997, Apple began its comeback with the introduction of new products. Some of its most successful Apple products have been in the “i” line, including the iMac, iPod, iPad, iPhone, and iTunes. When it introduced the Apple Watch, many consumers wondered why it was not called the … Read more
A bullseye and the color red immediately make us think of one retailer — Target. A 2003 survey found that 96% of Americans recognized the bullseye logo and Target Red as the symbols of Target stores. That’s higher recognition than the Apple symbol or the Nike swoosh. Target is the eighth largest retailer in the … Read more
The famous magenta trademark “un-carrier” started life as a regional service provider. Over the years, T-Mobile has stood out for its edgy ad campaigns and its brightly colored displays, making the magenta trademark color a crucial part of its branding strategy. How T-Mobile Got Started T-Mobile is a subsidiary of the German wireless giant Deutsche … Read more
As soon as you start using your mark in commerce, you establish what is known as “Common Law Trademark Rights.” But in total, it will take 12 – 18 months for an official trademark registration with the USPTO. As a trademark attorney, I get this question a lot. “How long does it take to get a … Read more