Trademark Refusals

What a Trademark Ornamental Refusal Means for Your Brand & Application Imagine you design a bold slogan for your new apparel line, plaster it across the front of every shirt, and file a trademark application — only to get a refusal from the USPTO. The examiner’s reason? Your mark looks like decoration, not a trademark.

Bill Belichick’s Trademark Rejections: A Warning for Business Owners When even NFL legend Bill Belichick faces trademark rejections, it’s time for every business owner to pay attention. This spring, four of Belichick’s trademark applications were rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). If it can happen to a household name, it can definitely

Deciphering Trademark Likelihood of Confusion Refusal So, you’ve got a fantastic idea for a business or product, and you’re ready to trademark your brand. You’ve filled out the application, paid the fees, and now you’re waiting for that coveted registration from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). But wait, what’s this? A trademark

7 Common Reasons for Trademark Refusals Achieving trademark registration can be a road filled with twists and turns (aka, dreaded trademark refusals). Let’s say you’ve cleared some major hurdles: – Chose the right name for your industry – Had comprehensive trademark search done (and the name cleared!) – Prepared and submitted your Federal trademark application