In a case that could have far-reaching implications, the U.S Supreme Court  has ruled that an Asian-American rock band is entitled to a federal trademark registration of its name.

The band, The Slants, had originally had its trademark application refused by the Trademark Office because “the applied-for mark consists of or includes matter which may

Here’s another example of how the naming of trademarks is often influenced by references to pop-culture.

In a recent U.S. trademark opposition decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled that the mark SUNNY HAZE for beer was confusingly similar to PURPLE HAZE, for inter alia, beer, so as to prevent registration.  In the case, Abita Brewing Company LLC v. Mother Earth Brewing, LLC, the Board was faced with considering whether the Sunny Haze mark of Applicant for “beer, and brew malt-based alcoholic beverage in the nature of beer” was confusingly similar to Opposer’s Purple Haze mark for “beer, ale, lager, and malt liquor.”  In its Notice of Opposition, the Opposer also relied on two of its other registrations for the Purple Haze mark for “shirts, caps, headwear, and beverageware.”Continue Reading Purple Haze is a Strong Trademark for Beer but Apparently not for Hendrix

Sorry mom and dad — guess that all my expensive legal training was for naught.

Over the past several years, online technology has spurned a cottage industry of trademark filers, business consultants, and trademark lawyers who will gladly file a trademark application for the lowest dollar amount possible. Attention shoppers!  Who knew that being a

Target Brands, Inc., the well-known multichannel retailer, recently received affirmation from the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board that its “bullseye” design mark is a moniker that deserves to be respected.

In Target Brands, Inc. v. Artificer Life Corp., Target had opposed two trademark applications for registration of the mark ARTIFICER and Design for a

As a Connecticut trademark attorney, I often advise clients on the trademark registration process and what legal rights a United States Trademark registration grants.  Since there are many misunderstandings about trademark law, it is worthwhile to briefly discuss some best practices on how to protect trademarks and brand names here:

1.   Begin with a Full

Candace Nelson, a judge on the Food Network’s successful show, Cupcake Wars, is in her own battle after suing a Fairfield, Connecticut based business for trademark infringement.  Nelson’s company, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Inc., has filed a lawsuit in Connecticut District Court alleging that Pink Sprinkles LLC of Fairfield has committed trademark infringement based on Pink Sprinkles’s