While many outside the nation’s capital were engrossed in this weekend’s football games, those inside the beltway were engrossed in their own local sport: politics (especially because D.C.’s team – who shall remain nameless even as that name may be trademarked – hasn’t played for the Lombardi trophy in 26 years). Specifically, “Shutdown” was THE … Continue Reading
(Our Annual Reminder to be careful how you use “Super Bowl”® and other NFL trademarks) If I had my way, I’d probably never write on this topic again. Every year I rack my brain for a hook to help re-remind readers about the dangers of using the term “Super Bowl”® – and any “Super Bowl”®-related … Continue Reading
By agreeing to hear “The Slants” case, Court may decide whether USPTO can cancel “Redskins” trademark registrations. [Blogmeister’s Note: To say our blogger, Kevin “The Swami” Goldberg, is opinionated is something of an understatement. One particular bug up his butt: the NFL team which is titularly Washington, D.C.’s, even though it practices in Virginia and … Continue Reading
Appeals court tosses “disparagement” bar against registration of “offensive” trademarks Last May, our colleague Kevin “the Swami” Goldberg called readers’ attention to an interesting case wending its way through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. It involves the rejection, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), of an application for federal … Continue Reading
The biggest scandal this time of the year tends to be the NFL's heavy-handed efforts to protect trademarks, even those it doesn't own.… Continue Reading
Despite the government shutdown, the USPTO is open for business -- for now. So act fast to make sure your trademark application or registration doesn't get shut out.… Continue Reading
A new, accelerated process for dealing with cybersquatters is in the works, thanks to ICANN. But if you want to take advantage of it, you'd be well advised to register your important business identifiers -- trademarks, slogans and the like -- first.… Continue Reading
There's yet another reason to register your trademarks (including call signs, slogans and the like) -- the new .XXX domain for adult-oriented websites.… Continue Reading
In case you didn't take our recent alert about the Invasion of the Trademark Enforcers seriously, the NFL has kindly illustrated our point . . . again.… Continue Reading
A couple of recent court cases touch on issues we've discussed recently regarding the licensing of image and other trademark-type rights claimed to be held by athletes and sports leagues.… Continue Reading
