IPNews® – China has gone from being a small player in worldwide trademark filings to the second largest trademark register in the world.
China’s rate of growth is showing no signs of slowing down. It now appears that by 2020 China will overtake the U.S. to become the world’s largest trademark filer. To continue reading, click: Growth in Chinese-based Trademark Filings is Becoming a Concern
IPNews® – After two long years Gatorade has won a trademark lawsuit brought against it for the use of “Sports Fuel” in an ad campaign that Gatorade launched in 2015.
SportFuel, a small business based in Illinois, stated that Gatorade knew of the SportFuel trademark and intentionally used it in its marketing. The court determined that the SportFuel trademark lacked distinctiveness and otherwise that Gatorade’s campaign was not likely to confuse consumers. To continue reading, click: Gatorade Wins The SportFuel vs. Sports Fuel Case
IPNews® – Sesame Workshop, creators of Sesame Street, is suing the producers of the new Melissa McCarthy movie “The Happytime Murders” for trademark infringement.
Sesame claims that the film has confused consumers and has threatened the long-standing reputation of Sesame Street since it is an adult film that contains puppet related sex and violence. STX Productions claims they are confident in their legal position. To continue reading, click: Sesame Street Sues Over “No Sesame. All Street” Trademark in Movie Trailer
IPNews® – Trader Joe’s has filed an opposition against a company applying to trademark the name “Trader Schmo.”
Trader Joe’s argues that the names are too similar and will confuse consumers. Part of the reasoning for the alleged confusion is that consumers closely associate the words “Joe” and “Schmo”. To continue reading, click: Trader Joe’s Fights the Trademark Trader Schmo
IPNews® – LeBron James’ company is being sued by Adventure Enterprises for alleged trademark infringement of a show called “The Shop.”
The Shop is a barbershop themed show and Adventure Enterprises claims to be the originator of a very similar show called “Shop Talk”. Ironically, James was recently in the news when his company sent a cease and desist letter to the University of Alabama over its show “The Shop” warning the University about copyright infringement due to the similarly themed shows. To continue reading, click: LeBron James’ Company Sued for Trademark Infringement
IPNews® – the Believeland sports website is suing Believeland Beer Festival for trademark infringement.
The sports website has the term “Believeland” trademarked and has been in business selling merchandise since 2008. Believeland is demanding that the beer festival stop using the term and is suing for damages. To continue reading, click: Believeland Files Trademark Complaint Against Believeland Beer Festival
IPNews® – UMBC races to trademark “UMBC Retrievers”, “Retriever Nation,” and “16 over 1” after the school’s big March Madness win that took the nation by surprise.
UMBC, a No. 16 seed, made history in the win over the Virginia Cavaliers since it was the first time ever that a No. 16 seed defeated a No. 1 seed. Although the Retrievers were defeated on Sunday, the team is still giddy over the historic win. To continue reading, click: UMBC Retrievers Seek Trademarks After March Madness Win
IPNews® – The Super Bowl win won’t be the Philadelphia Eagles’ last battle of the season.
The team filed a trademark application for “Philly Special” for use in relation to apparel, but were beat to the punch by no less than 7 prior Philly Special trademark applications. When the dust settles the Eagles will likely have to argue that they made the phrase famous and are thus the true owner of the trademark. To continue reading, click: The Philadelphia Eagles Must Wait in Line for “Philly Special” Trademark
IPNews® – Stone Brewing has sued MillerCoors for the infringement on its trademark “Stone” as related to beer.
The word Stone has recently been the main focus of the Keystone beer rebranding for MillerCoors. MillerCoors is fighting the lawsuit saying consumers have referred to Keystone as “Stone” since its debut which was before Stone Brewing was even founded. To continue reading, click: Stone Brewing sues MillerCoors Over “Stone” Trademark
IPNews® – The cosmetic company Hard Candy has decided to abandon its trademark application for the viral #MeToo hashtag.
The hashtag #MeToo has become the centerpiece of a social movement to bring attention to the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault. Hard Candy made the move after continued negative publicity even though it had planned to donate its profits. To continue reading, click: Hard Candy Cosmetics Abandons its Trademark for #MeToo