Asked in Intellectual Property for New Jersey

Q: What does it mean when a trademark is abandoned? Like The Golden Girls here: https://trademarks.justia.com/784/12/golde

We are curious as to why the trademark of the golden girls shows as abandoned. Is it still legally owned by Disney?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Emmanuel Coffy
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  • Maplewood, NJ
  • Licensed in New Jersey

A: When a trademark is abandoned, the trademark owner may no longer claims rights to the trademark. In effect, the trademark reverts to the public domain and as a result is available to new users. Once a trademark is abandoned, no "good will" remains in the mark. As such, claim of residual good will may not be entertained.

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