Q: Can I utilize a trademark that is 7 years old that is inactive
A: Maybe. You must consult with an attorney. The original owner may have rights to the brand.
Tim Akpinar and Daniel Michael Luisi agree with this answer
A: Mr. Garciaacosta is right. Trademark rights are created by use in commerce; registration only provides certain remedies such a suing for a preliminary injunction in federal court. You need to conduct a common law trademark search to ensure you will not be infringing a brand owner’s rights and subjecting yourself to a possibly expensive lawsuit.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
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.