State University of New York Sues Former Students for Using Trademark
Marks Gray Mar 12, 2020 in Intellectual Property
It is no secret that universities have become big brands doing even bigger business. You are also probably not surprised to hear that alumni pride for nearly every well-known university is just as big. But SUNY’s lawsuit against two former students is an illustration of when alumni pride may just cross the line. SUNY Gives Alumni Business a Crash Course on Trademark Infringement Two SUNY alums have been doing business as Triple O Entertainment for […]
Continue ReadingHow Public Pressure to Boycott Backcountry Brand Halted One Trademark Infringement Claim
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Mar 6, 2020 in Intellectual Property
Last year, on advice from their legal team, Backcountry.com decided to pursue a trademark infringement claim on a small Colorado-based business named Marquette Backcountry Ski. The comparative giant of retail outdoor sports and equipment, Backcountry.com, filed suit against Marquette Backcountry Ski (and a dozen others, actually) for using the term “backcountry” in their name. What Backcountry.com did not consider was public response. Small Business Owner in Colorado Stands His Ground in Court When Backcountry.com sued […]
Continue ReadingScam Alert: Misleading Trademark Offers And Notices
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Feb 27, 2020 in Trademark
Scams, deceptive offers, and solicitations from third-party vendors are abundant in the world of trademarks. Trademark owners who choose to register their trademarks through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) usually start receiving misleading correspondence through email or the U.S. Mail within days of filing a trademark application. Once you file a trademark application with the USPTO, the application becomes a public record in a matter of days. All of your contact information […]
Continue ReadingSo You Want To Register Your Trademark: What Do You Need Before You Begin
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jan 16, 2020 in Trademark
“I want to trademark my logo, what do I need to do?” This is a common question we hear from potential clients. My first inclination is to let the potential client know that the logo, if it is being used in commerce to identify the source of a company’s goods and services, is already considered a trademark. We need to register the trademark with either the State and/or the United States Patent and Trademark Office […]
Continue ReadingThe Trouble with Tom Brady’s Battle to Trademark ‘Tom Terrific’
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Dec 5, 2019 in Intellectual Property
Tom Brady’s attorneys recently filed a trademark application for the nickname ‘Tom Terrific,’ and the news quickly spurred backlash from fans of the New York Mets. You see, legendary Mets pitcher Tom Seaver was dubbed ‘Tom Terrific’ by the media long before Brady was ever even a Patriot. Moreover, it seems the athlete’s attempt to get ahead of the bad press has only led to more scrutiny – and a likely denial – of his […]
Continue ReadingLessons Learned at the International Trademark Association Leadership Meeting
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Nov 21, 2019 in Intellectual Property
From November 19th to the 22nd, I attended the International Trademark Association Leadership Meeting in Austin, Texas. There are 1500 individuals from all over the world gathered in Austin to network with clients, friends, and colleagues and to learn about the latest developments in anti-counterfeiting laws, steps being taken to control illicit trade activities in Free Trade Zones, and updates on trademark law in numerous countries. Two topics I found to be very interesting: the […]
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