Trademarks are registered in the exact way that they are used in commerce. If someone attempts to register a confusingly similar name for the same class/category of goods or services, where there is a likelihood of confusion, their application for trademark registration will very likely be... View More

If it's a federal trademark, then there are several ways to handle it but it's going to depend on when and why it was abandoned. Your best bet is to consult with a trademark attorney to discuss the details and decide on the best course of action for your specific situation.

Sounds like you're on the right side. If you're being clear to your readers and app users that you are not this coffee chain, and that they don't endorse you, and you're not selling coffee, then you're not violating their trademark. You are allowed to talk about... View More

The trademark registration application fee is going to be calculated based on the number of different classifications you choose. If you select classifications that don't have the same "numbers", you will be charged one fee for each "number".

The trademark office... View More

Generally, trademark owners of registrations must file must file a Declaration of Use and/or Excusable Nonuse between the 5th and 6th years after the registration date. Forms are available on the USPTO website or consult with a trademark attorney to assist you.

Use the Find a Lawyer function in Justia to find a lawyer in the practice area of the lawsuit. Make some calls. And try to find the best attorney who fits your needs. Best of luck.

This answer includes generalizations and there are many caveats. This answer does not form an attorney... View More

Tania Maria Williams Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 15, 2020

We can't see what brand you're referring to. You should contact an IP attorney to help you protect your ideas. Feel free to call me if I can be of assistance.

If your mark is registered, and assuming that they are telling the truth about using the mark first, you can sue to have their mark limited to a certain geographic area or a certain type of product/service. In a case I dealt with like this, a lawsuit was filed but the parties came to an agreement... View More

Adding a hyphen in the middle of a trademarked word or phrase is usually not enough to overcome a likelihood of confusion registration rejection for trademarks that are virtually identical and operate within the same class.

You should consult with an attorney before proceeding since there are many legal and business factors to consider. The trademark registration may be "dead" as to one trademark user but perhaps still in use by that user (or some other user who may have common law rights). Also the... View More

This is a business formation question, and you need to consult with a business formation or "transactional law" attorney to present your situation to him/her fully and discuss your options. There really is too little information here to respond. What kind of organization? Sub S corp?... View More

You should work with a trademark attorney to assist you with the formal assignment of the trademark and renewal.

LLC names are simply business entities being formed within a specific state. Trademark rights are much more expansive. So there typically isn't much overlap involved, unless an other party successfully claims that you're using the name as a trademark. But even then, the relevant... View More

Trademark rights are acquired through use, so if you're selling goods or services in connection with that logo, you may be able to claim common law priority within certain geographic areas should someone later attempt to federally register a similar logo for related goods or services. However,... View More

If the trademark is currently listed as 'abandoned' in the USPTO database, you should confirm whether this is due to a failure to respond to Office Action, and if so, whether your application may encounter similar issues with the TM Office. However, if it's not being used then common... View More

Trademark rights are not merely created by someone registering the mark, whether with the USPTO or under a state's law. Under the common law, if you use a mark as a mark, you can acquire trademark rights in that mark. You would need to investigate further about whether the other person has... View More

Tania Maria Williams Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 2, 2020

If they are using the TM, they do not have a registered mark. However, trademark is based on use so they may still have common law rights in the mark. Also, adding the word acne likely won't solve the likelihood of confusion issue if you're both selling the same class of goods. Feel... View More

From your description as to what you want to do, it sounds like you would be creating a derivative work based on the copyright protected work. To do so without being liable for infringement, you would need a license from whomever now owns the rights in Mr. Campbell's works. That is not to... View More

My understanding is that California has strong laws that protect the Right of Publicity (right to exploit one's fame for famous people) and Right to Privacy. It would be good to get advise from a California attorney familiar with these 2 torts. The laws may allow you to collect... View More

You will need to refile. When you prepare the application, look under the section dealing with "miscellaneous" and provide the serial number of the earlier application. Good luck.