The Bold Business of Bold City
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Sep 24, 2020 in Trademark
“Managing a business through a pandemic is not for sissies.” That is what Susan Miller with Bold City Brewery told me when I interviewed her for this article. Susan and her son, Brian Miller, started Bold City Brewery in 2008 during the recession. They survived that economic downturn and built a successful family business brewing beer and distributing it throughout Florida. Over time, they developed a strong brand and registered the trademarks for several of […]
Continue ReadingWhat You Need to Know about Getting Someone’s Trademark Canceled
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Sep 3, 2020 in Trademark
Is it possible to cancel a U.S. trademark registration owned by someone else? Yes. But there are rules and procedures that guide the process. Namely, you have to file a petition to cancel. Petitions to Cancel are filed with the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), an administrative body responsible for hearing and deciding different types of trademark disputes. Why would anyone want to cancel a trademark registration owned by another entity or individual? […]
Continue ReadingThe Washington Redskins and the Creation of a New Trademark
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jul 16, 2020 in Intellectual Property
In a move that was long overdue, the Washington Redskins football team announced this week that they will change their name. The first date of use claimed by Pro-Football, Inc. for the team name was over 80 years ago, on September 19, 1937. Now they have to start the process of creating and protecting a brand new trademark. There is much speculation about what the new trademark name and design will be. But most people […]
Continue ReadingIn the Eyes of the Consumer: US Supreme Court Rules “Booking.com” Is Protectable Mark
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jul 2, 2020 in Intellectual Property
Written by Guest Author, Marks Gray Summer Law Clerk Julianna R. Favale On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, the United States Supreme Court, in an 8-1 ruling, upheld a lower court ruling that “Booking.com” is eligible for federal trademark registration. It was a long time getting there for the online travel company. Beginning in 2012, Booking.com B.V. filed numerous applications to register Booking.com as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. However, the […]
Continue ReadingWords Have Power, So BOLDLYWRITE!
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jun 18, 2020 in Intellectual Property
Communication via the written word is a talent that many people attempt to master. Maybe you dream of writing a novel but do not have any idea how to start. Or you have a blog that you are struggling to maintain. However you’re struggling with writing, you might consider talking to writing coach Karina Cadora at Karina Cadora Teaches, LLC. Karina is a writing coach and editor with over 20 years of experience teaching writing […]
Continue ReadingUse In Commerce – Are Your Specimens Acceptable?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jun 11, 2020 in Intellectual Property
Filing a trademark application can be challenging for some businesses, especially when it comes to acceptable specimens of use in commerce. The USPTO has very specific guidelines on what is acceptable. And they have become stricter in the past two years about what they will accept. So here are some tips for selecting a good specimen: Make sure the specimen has the trademark that you are registering on the specimen. The exact same trademark, not […]
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