USPTO Issues Sanctions to Order 15,000 Chinese Marks Cancelled

USPTO Issues Sanctions to Order 15,000 Chinese Marks Cancelled

On Friday, December 10, 2021, the USPTO issued a final order for sanctions requiring Senzhen Huanyee Intellectual Property Co., Ltd. and its executive director Ms. Yusha Zhang (collectively “Respondents”) for filing 15,000 trademark applications in contravention of the U.S. Trademark Rules of Practice (“Rules”). The sanctions imposed include: (1) permanently precluding Respondents and their employees from submitting trademark-related documents at …

TTAB Rules that Reckless Disregard for Truth Rises to Fraud

TTAB Rules that Reckless Disregard for Truth Rises to Fraud

On September 30, 2021, in a precedential decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) clarified that “reckless disregard satisfies the requisite intent for fraud on the USPTO in trademark matters.” Chutter, Inc. v. Great Concepts, LLC, 2021 USPQ2d 1001 (TTAB 2021). This question was left open by the Federal Circuit in the seminal case of In re Bose. Since Bose, the number of …

How to Handle Recent USPTO Trademark Delays

How to Handle Recent USPTO Delays

The USPTO has been experiencing a surge in new trademark application filings since the height of the pandemic and this has caused delays in examining applications and issuing trademark registrations. There are many possible reasons for the surge in new trademark applications filings including a record number of small businesses being formed, changes to Amazon’s brand registry program, established businesses …

The Coca-Cola Company Protects its Famous Script Trademark

The Coca-Cola Company Protects its Famous Script Trademark

If you were The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”), how would you stop a trademark application for CONCEAL-CARRY REGISTERED HANDGUN (“CONCEAL-CARRY”) for clothing? The marks certainly don’t sound very similar. What if I told you the CONCEAL-CARRY application was filed in this stylization – would that change your mind? Of course, it would! But why? For starters, COCA-COLA owns a registered trademark …

When Should I Apply for a Trademark?

When Should I Apply for a Trademark?

Any client interested in protecting its intellectual property should apply for a trademark as quickly as possible to ensure the maximum amount of legal protection. The trademark does not need to already be in use in interstate commerce or even have an online presence in order to file a trademark application. In fact, under the United States Patent and Trademark …

The Trademark Modernization Act is Coming: Ready or Not!

The Trademark Modernization Act is Coming: Ready or Not!

The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (“TMA”) was passed by the U.S. Congress on December 27, 2020 as part of the huge COVID relief package that sent most Americans an additional $600 stimulus check. Although the changes will not be implemented at the USPTO until December 27, 2021, there are several sweeping changes that will be forthcoming. The Trademark Modernization Act …