In a precedential decision the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“Board”) affirmed a refusal to register a character featured in a video game on the grounds that the proposed design mark failed to function as a trademark. In re Joseph
trade mark
Whirlpool Wins Appeal Against Chinese Manufacturer in KITCHENAID Trademark Lawsuit

The Fifth Circuit upheld a preliminary injunction last week prohibiting Chinese company Shenzhen Sanlida Electrical Technology Co. Ltd. and Shenzhen Sanlida Electrical Technology Co., Ltd. (collectively “Shenzhen”) from selling stand mixers that allegedly infringe Whirlpool Corp.’s (“Whirlpool”) famous KITCHENAID trademarks…
TTAB Prohibits Sur-Sur-Rebuttals in Trademark Proceedings

In a recent precedential opinion in Monster Energy Company v. Coulter Ventures, LLC, Oppositions Nos. 91233515 (parent), 91233516, 91233517, 91242202, and 91252191 (August 7, 2023), the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) shed light on the procedural intricacies…
From Non-Infringement to No Jurisdiction: Does a Finding of Non-Infringement Moot a Request for Declaratory Judgment of Invalidity in Trademark Cases?

The trademark dispute that has been steadily escalating between Illinois-based Citizens Equity First Credit Union (“Citizens”) and California-based San Diego County Credit Union (“SDCCU”) could be headed to the Supreme Court. SDCC filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari asking…
“Taste the Strain Bro”: Wrigley Settles SKITTLES Trademark Dispute with Cannabis Company

** This article was drafted by Logan Woodward, a Summer Associate in NRF’s Minneapolis Office. Logan is supervised by attorneys who are licensed in the State of Texas.
After a two-year feud, Mars Wrigley (“Wrigley”), the maker of the popular…
Supreme Court Makes Waves With Abitron Ruling

On June 29, the Supreme Court issued its much-anticipated decision in Abitron Austria GmbH, et al., v. Hetronic International, Inc. (No. 21-1043). We wrote about the case history previously here. Briefly, the 10th Circuit had upheld a $90 million…
This Decision Rocks: Trademarking a Guitar-Shaped Building

In a precedential decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“Board”) allowed registration of the following design mark for “Casinos,” in International Class 41, and “Hotel, restaurant, and bar services,” in International Class 43 on behalf of the Seminole Tribe…
China – Suspension of Trade Mark Applications More Readily Available?


In our previous post (here), we talked about a change being proposed by the China National Intellectual Property Administrative (commonly known as CNIPA), prohibiting repeated filings for the same trade mark. This was particularly concerning to brand…
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Jack Daniel’s in BAD SPANIELS Case: Parody Marks Can Still Function as A Source Identifier

The United States Supreme Court issued its decision in a years-long dispute between Jack Daniel’s and VIP Products LLC (“VIP”) over a humorous dog toy which is intended to mimic the label of a Jack Daniel’s whisky bottle. Jack Daniel’s…
Taco Bell Petitions to Cancel TACO TUESDAY Trademarks at U.S. Trademark Office

Almost everyone has probably heard of “Taco Tuesday.” Ads, local restaurants, celebrities—they use this popular slogan to refer to the idea that it is fun to eat tacos on Tuesdays. But although this phrase is used by many, two restaurant…