Q: Does the descriptor in a name trademark matter in regards to confusion or conflict? Within the same TM class.
I would like to use Boundless* Wealth (Boundless is not the actual word*) in class 36 financial, insurance, wealth mgmt. There is 1 other trademark for nearly the same services: Boundless* Financial Group, 5 states away from us, no exclusivity claim to Financial & Group. Is this a conflict? Wealth -vs- Financial Group? Thank you.
A:
For federal trademark registrations, the existence of a registration for a very similar mark used for similar services will result in a refusal from the USPTO, regardless of whether the prior registrant and the applicant are in different states.
As you note, the portion of the mark that is merely descriptive of the services must be disclaimed. To be registered, the mark must include at least some text or design element that is not disclaimed. Therefore, it is unlikely that you would be able to register the text mark you describe.
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
