Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Trademark legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Trademark Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: can i use a name for a that somebody has already trademarked but im selling beauty products and they are selling drinks?
Felicia Altman
Felicia Altman
answered on Dec 28, 2024

Generally, if the trademark is in a different class of goods and services then a registered mark and there would be no likelihood of confusion by consumers a mark can be registered. It is best to consult a trademark specialist to conduct a search and review the already registered mark compared to... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Oregon on
Q: If I sell a coffee blend called “Goondocks Blend” am I at risk of trademark infringement?
Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 18, 2024

That's a great question. I highly recommend that you hire a competent trademark attorney to run a clearance search before you launch the brand. That search should take approximately 1-3 hours, depending on how many results need to be reviewed. If you get the green light, you should also... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: How can I claim the right to use a similar band name that was previously trademarked?

The name we had intended to use populates under USPTO search but is marked as dead and expired, and is not currently in the process of being renewed . Their usage is the singular case of the word while our usage is plural (we add an "s" to the end of the word). They aren't actively... View More

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 15, 2024

File a trademark application with the USPTO.

Please note: the fees are non-refundable. I highly recommend using a competent trademark attorney to run a clearance search first to ensure that the mark you want to use is actually available. For example, there is a way for recently abandoned...
View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: How can I claim the right to use a similar band name that was previously trademarked?

The name we had intended to use populates under USPTO search but is marked as dead and expired, and is not currently in the process of being renewed . Their usage is the singular case of the word while our usage is plural (we add an "s" to the end of the word). They aren't actively... View More

Felicia Altman
Felicia Altman
answered on Dec 16, 2024

In order to claim rights to a prior trademark you must file a trademark application with the USPTO. If the mark is abandoned and it cannot be renewed or revived then you can file a trademark application for the same or similar mark in the same class of services. I recommend using a Trademark... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: How can you purchase and register a trademark once it has a '606 - Abandoned - No Statement Of Use' filed?

I am specifically interested in acquiring trade mark Serial # 87847526. If possible could you send your answer to :

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 2, 2024

If the trademark application/registration is abandoned, then anyone can file a trademark application to claim it.

USPTO application fees are non-refundable, and currently take about 9 months before an examiner will pick up your application. I highly encourage you to hire a competent...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: Im looking to start a fashion market place, and i like the name "modella". Can i use this name + get it trademarked?

I would like to trademark mainly in the US and Europe, maybe even international. I just need clairfication if the trademark is possible to get.

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Nov 20, 2024

There are US registrations for MODELLA used on software in class 009, and on travel bags in class 018, but not for apparel in class 025 or store services in class 035. Most likely this mark can be registered for the uses you propose.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Kentucky on
Q: If i made a shirt with a name on it that is now a trademark, can I be reported for copyright?

I made a shirt for my daughter 2 years ago that says "zach bryan" with a photo that she picked of a longhorn. Facebook notified me that I have been reported for copyright Infringment but I don't see how as my daughter picked a photo I made on the computer. It was not copy and pasted

Patrick Cummins
Patrick Cummins
answered on Nov 13, 2024

If the copyright infringement allegation is directed to the picture of the longhorn, and you captured the image of the longhorn or you drew it yourself, you are likely not at fault. If someone else drew the image of the longhorn, or captured the image of the longhorn with their camera, then you... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Alabama on
Q: What do I need to move forward on a trademark.... I need an attourney
Felicia Altman
Felicia Altman
answered on Nov 11, 2024

In order to move forward with a trademark you must file an in-use or intent-to-use application with the USPTO. It is recommend to do a quick search of the USPTO to check if your potential trademark is already in use. It is recommended but not required to work with a Trademark Attorney or Specialist... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark, Copyright and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: I'm looking to create and sell books commercially.

Some of them will have the word “Animal/Animals” in the title, internal pages, description etc. But there's a trademark for the word “ANIMALS” overseas, covering books. Does it mean that I can't include the word “Animal/Animals” either capital or lowercase in my book at all... View More

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Nov 8, 2024

The titles of books cannot be copyrighted.

Foreign trademarks are not applicable unless you plan to sell in that country. If you are worried about trademarks in the U.S., I highly recommend hiring a qualified trademark attorney to run a clearance search to ensure you will not be infringing....
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Washington on
Q: Is the term/name “Wheel of Calamity” trademarked or copyrighted in any way?

Intend to start a social media company under this title and want to verify its Existence amount other trademarked intellectual property.

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Nov 8, 2024

The best answer you will get to this question is from a trademark attorney who has conducted a legal analysis based on a clearance search. I highly recommend that you hire a qualified attorney to do this before you start spending money on advertising and then realize that you will have to rebrand... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property), Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: Hi, I am trying to drop ship the nova bag from the website Wool & Oak. I don't know if the product is patent, trademark

I just want to know if I am allowed to drop ship this product and brand it after. Is it legal. So did Wool & Oak patent it or trademarked it or put copyrights on it. The product they sell is the only thing I care about. I won't take anything from their website

Sarah Teresa Haddad
PREMIUM
Sarah Teresa Haddad pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 3, 2024

The product is most likely subject to more than one form of Intellectual Property protection by its manufacturer or original owner: trademark (its brand), trade dress (protects the overall appearance of the product, including its size, shape, color, texture, and graphics), patents of any... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Texas on
Q: My business name isn’t trademarked, but is reg with the county & I operate a website and social media accts under it

My small 3 year old online retail business’s name isn’t trademarked due to the cost, but I did register the name as a DBA through the county in Texas. I also operate the website for my business using the same domain name and have a business presence under the same name on all major social media... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Oct 30, 2024

Based on your prior use of the mark, even if not registered, you should prevail over a later user of the mark in any litigation or administrative proceeding such as the US Patent & Trademark Office. If the later user has applied for federal registration, and that application advances to the... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Texas on
Q: My business name isn’t trademarked, but is reg with the county & I operate a website and social media accts under it

My small 3 year old online retail business’s name isn’t trademarked due to the cost, but I did register the name as a DBA through the county in Texas. I also operate the website for my business using the same domain name and have a business presence under the same name on all major social media... View More

Sarah Teresa Haddad
PREMIUM
Sarah Teresa Haddad pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 30, 2024

It depends on whether use of the mark is sufficient to be considered use "in commerce". Through the business the mark would need to be associated with the sale of goods or providing a service, in addition to being associated with social media accounts and websites. If there have been... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: I have exclusive distributor with manufacturer. How can I legally stop him from selling his product to another company?

I am in discussion with a manufacturer in China to become his distributor in UAE. We agree to take exclusive distribution meaning that they should not supply their products or brand to another distributor in UAE. We will be signing a contract for exclusive distribution.

How can I legally... View More

Sarah Teresa Haddad
PREMIUM
Sarah Teresa Haddad pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 23, 2024

Ensure that the Choice of Law provisions in the contract you are executing are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction where you are seeking to distribute the product, namely the UAE, otherwise it may be harder to enforce the terms of the agreement or license in that country.

Ensure any...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark, Arbitration / Mediation Law, Business Law and Intellectual Property for Hawaii on
Q: An ex-board member is using my trademark event name without my permission. Do I have standing to issue cease and desist

My family started a public event more than 40 years ago and I took over more than 10 years ago holding this event. I just started the process to trademark the event name. An ex-board member is using the event name and trying to hold the same event without my permission. Do I have standing to send a... View More

Sarah Teresa Haddad
PREMIUM
Sarah Teresa Haddad pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 14, 2024

If the ex-board member learned of the trademark while being a board member, (and the source of the trademark is the family board) and then the ex-board member started to use the mark unilaterally after leaving the board, then you may have grounds to issue a Cease-and-Desist letter. This may be due... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: I understand that "BASKETBALL MOM." is trademarked. Does the period on the end mean you can use this without the period?

I just want to know if I can use the phrase, "Basketball Mom" without the period on the end?

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Oct 11, 2024

There is a pending application to register the mark BASKETBALL MOM ending with a period, used as a brand for t-shirts. The punctuation is not significant, that is, the mark would be infringed by usage as a source identifier for t-shirts whether or not the period followed the words. There is no... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Texas on
Q: If I am writing a book, would I be able to use 'Disneyland' as a location visited in the "past"?

I'm an aspiring writer and I do not want to overlook any details, so in the book I am writing I intend to use the 'Disneyland' name solely to express that the characters within the book visited the location at one point in the past. No rides or anything else related to the park is... View More

Giselle Ayala Mateus
Giselle Ayala Mateus
answered on Oct 4, 2024

When mentioning "Disneyland" in your book, you are likely within your rights under U.S. trademark law, particularly under nominative fair use. Trademarks like "Disneyland" protect brand identity, but your use of the name to describe a factual event—such as characters visiting... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Is Brew Good, Do Good the same as Brew Good. Do Good as far as trademark

Subject: Request to Cease Use of Trademarked Phrase

Dear Michelle,

We truly appreciate the positive impact you and Serenity Roast are making through coffee and commend your efforts. However, we wanted to bring to your attention that "Brew Good. Do Good." is a trademarked... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Oct 1, 2024

"BREW GOOD. DO GOOD." is a registered mark for coffee cups, mugs, pots, makers, and other coffee making accessories; and for beverages made of coffee. The registration is owned by Tampa's Team LLC dba Buddy Brew Coffee. Your use for a coffee blend, or anything related to coffee, is... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Is Brew Good, Do Good the same as Brew Good. Do Good as far as trademark

Subject: Request to Cease Use of Trademarked Phrase

Dear Michelle,

We truly appreciate the positive impact you and Serenity Roast are making through coffee and commend your efforts. However, we wanted to bring to your attention that "Brew Good. Do Good." is a trademarked... View More

Sarah Teresa Haddad
PREMIUM
Sarah Teresa Haddad pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 13, 2024

If the trademark is already registered by a third party for a similar industry as yours, then the question is one of priority of use. Whoever can show that they used the trademark first in commerce in that particular industry, would have priority to its ownership.

The Cease-and-Desist...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Arizona on
Q: how can I find out if a phrase or logo is trademarked?

I want to make sure a phrase I'm printing on a t-shirt isn't trademarked. How can I find that out?

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Oct 1, 2024

The best way is to find an experienced trademark attorney to perform a knockout clearance search of the USPTO databases to ensure that there are no possible infringing marks. This is especially important if you are planning to use a logo with graphic design elements.

Trademark law is...
View More

View More Answers

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.