Trademark TopicsSM Article Archive
2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
2012
Confusion Logs May Not Hold Water at Trial
Laura L. Myers
September 2012
The Big Reveal!
Caroline G. Chicoine
June 2012
Gucci Designs Famous Trademarks?
Laura M. Friedemann
June 2012
2011
U.S.T.R. Identifies Worst of the Offshore Online Pirates and Counterfeiters
Dean R. Karau
December 2011
“LEGO Group, the company that my brother and I love, is trying to take this site away from us…”
Dean R. Karau
November 2011
A Cautionary Tale About Telling the Truth at the USPTO
Dean R. Karau
November 2011
Social Shaming - The Latest Response to Cease and Desist Letters
Laura L. Myers
November 2011
Occupying Wall Street – Or Joining It?
Dean R. Karau
October 27, 2011
Making More Money Than You Or I, And Not Even Alive to Enjoy It:
The Top-Earning Dead Celebrities in 2011
Dean R. Karau
October 26, 2011
Coca Cola May Sue You For Using The Word “AND”
(Just kidding)
Dean R. Karau
October 20, 2011
The CAR FRESHENER Folks May Sue You For Photos Like This
(Not Kidding)
Dean R. Karau
October 20, 2011
Selling An Intentionally Fake Item - Copyright Infringement?
Dean R. Karau
October 20, 2011
Twittad To Transfer Tweet To Twitter
Dean R. Karau
October 20, 2011
U.S. Government Shutdown Could Affect Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights
Dean R. Karau
April 8, 2011
2010
Foreign Registrants Using Madrid: President Obama Signs Law That Will Treat Madrid and Non-Madrid Proof of Use Affidavits the Same
Dean R. Karau
March 19, 2010
Foreign Registrants Using Madrid: Your Proof of Use Affidavits are Treated Differently – But the Rules May be Changing for the Better
Dean R. Karau
February 2010
The New FTC Testimonial Guidelines: Results May No Longer Vary
John C. Pickerill
February 2010
Lessons for Brand Developers from the Ninth Circuit
Paul E. Thomas
February 2010
Cease & Desist Letter from an 800 Pound “Monster” Results in Action by Congress
Dean R. Karau
February 2010
The Fujitsu iPAD™ - (Didn’t You Mean The Apple iPad™?)
Dean R. Karau
February 2010
“Use” Of TEXACO Trademark – Is It Infringement Or Is It Stupidity?
Dean R. Karau
February 2010
2009
Going Green - Is It Too Late?
Dean R. Karau
December 2009
Green-Technology Patent Applications Get a Green Light on Faster Examinations
Natalie D. Kadievitch
December 2009
Minnesota Federal Court Finds No Liability for Use of Another’s Mark as a Keyword Absent Credible Evidence of Consumer Confusion
Dean R. Karau
December 2009
Post-Bose - Winemaker Can’t Tell the Difference Between Red Wine and White Wine, but is it Fraud?
Dean R. Karau
December 2009
The Future of Trademark Practice at the USPTO After Bose Under Discussion
Dean R. Karau
December 2009
Does Monitoring Your Competitors’ Trademark Filings Make Sense?
Dean R. Karau
December 2009
Miscellany from the USPTO on FY 2009
Dean R. Karau
December 2009
CAFC Derails the Medinol Fraud Train: Applicant Must Have Intent to Deceive, Proved by Clear & Convincing Evidence
Dean R. Karau
October 2009
Tacking – A Recent Case Shows the Dangers of “Modernizing” Your Mark Too Much
Dean R. Karau
October 2009
Verb Up and Run Till You Drop
Paul E. Thomas
October 2009
If an Olympiad is Around the Corner, Then Cries of Infringement Must Be Coming from the U.S. Olympic Committee
Dean R. Karau
October 2009
“l’enfant terrible” Designer Tries to Give Knock-Off Shoe Designer the Boot
Dean R. Karau
October 2009
WWJVD?
Dean R. Karau
October 2009
Mighty Mouse Saves the Day for Maryland Computer Company
Dean R. Karau
October 2009
Can You Rent the Prada Brand Name?
Dean R. Karau
October 2009
Tall Ships. Taller Stupidity?
Dean R. Karau, August 2009
One Pretty Smart Technotainment Entrepreneur (or is that Redundant?)
Dean R. Karau, August 2009
Thou Shall Not Make False Statements to the USPTO: A Real Case of Real Fraud
Dean R. Karau, August 2009
Sound Marks Are Sound Marks
Dean R. Karau, August 2009
A Counterfeit™ Brand Bag?
Dean R. Karau, August 2009
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau & Cynthia A. Moyer, August 2009
Fredrikson at the INTA 2009 Annual Meeting in Seattle
June 2009
Valspar Advertising Challenge Successful Before the National Advertising Review Board
June 2009
Is the Medinol Fraud Train Switching Tracks? You May Be Able to “Cure” Fraud if You Act Before You Are Challenged
Dean R. Karau, June 2009
New Battle Over Google Key Word Advertising
Cynthia A. Moyer, June 2009
NETBOOK Trademark Dispute Settles
Carrie L. Rosenberry, June 2009
The Top Brands of 2008
Dean R. Karau, June 2009
Famous Folks in Litigation
Cynthia A. Moyer, June 2009
Asserting IP Rights Can Sometimes Make You Look Foolish
Dean R. Karau, June 2009
How Important is Branding to Your Health? You May Get What You Pay For
Dean R. Karau, June 2009
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, June 2009
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, May 2009
Franchisors and the New Internet: Trademark Obligations and Opportunities
Caroline G. Chicoine and
Keri A. McWilliams, May 2009
Protecting Your Mark in the EU Just Got Cheaper
Dean R. Karau, May 2009
“The Peace of Incontestability”
Paul E. Thomas, May 2009
Trademark Owners Must Intend to Use Their Marks With All of the Goods and Services in Their U.S. Applications
Dean R. Karau, May 2009
Did You Know . . . You Can Register Generic Terms
Dean R. Karau, May 2009
The Fame of Your Trademark May Not Help if You Don’t Use Your Mark in the U.S.
Dean R. Karau, May 2009
Key Word Advertising – Google in the Hot Seat
Cynthia A. Moyer, May 2009
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, March 2009
Is NETBOOK A Trademark, Or Can Anyone Use The Term For Small, Inexpensive Computers?
Carrie L. Rosenberry, March 2009
Balancing Equities: the Use Requirement and Intent-to-Use Trademark Applications
Paul E. Thomas, March 2009
If the “Look and Feel” of Your Business is Important to Your Success, Protect It
Dean R. Karau, March 2009
Don’t Count On the Bad Guy Paying Your Attorneys’ Fees Even if You Win Your Trademark Infringement Lawsuit
Dean R. Karau, March 2009
Sign Your Own Electronic Trademark Documents
Dean R. Karau, March 2009
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, February 2009
You May Have Insurance Coverage for Allegations of Trademark Infringement
Dean R. Karau, February 2009
Audi Hits Bump in the Road in its Trademark Infringement Suit Against an Audi Parts Supplier
Lora M. Friedemann, February 2009
Did You Know . . . The Dead Keep on Earning and Earning
Dean R. Karau, February 2009
Abercrombie Kicks Levi’s Butt in Trade Dress Infringement Trial
Dean R. Karau, February 2009
2008
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, December 2008
Do You Believe Chrysler When It Says “Jeep” Is Not a Generic Term for an SUV?
Dean R. Karau, December 2008
Tacking-on: Moving Ahead While Clinging to the Past
Paul E. Thomas, December 2008
Did You Know . . . You Can’t Use That “Little Tree” Without Consequences
Dean R. Karau, December 2008
President-Elect Obama Is Already Stimulating the Economy At The USPTO
Dean R. Karau, December 2008
Hershey’s Chocolate Diluted By Failed Trademark Parody
Dean R. Karau, December 2008
Lego’s Attempt for Trademark Protection of the Shape of Its Famous Brick Building Block Hits a Brick Wall in the EU
Dean R. Karau, December 2008
Scams, Scams Everywhere: Beware of Trademark Monitoring Services
Dean R. Karau, December 2008
Will Spain’s Olympic Synchronized Swim Team Be Sunk By German Graffiti Artist?
Dean R. Karau, September 2008
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, September 2008
AMMIRAGLIA for Wine Confusingly Similar to FLAGSHIP For Vodka . . . What Have You Been Drinking?
Dean R. Karau, September 2008
The Descriptiveness Dilemma
Dean R. Karau, September 2008
Foreign Owners of U.S. Trademark Registrations Beware – The Medinol Fraud Train Keeps Rolling and Applies To You
Dean R. Karau, September 2008
Take Care When Choosing Words for Sponsored Links
Cynthia A. Moyer, September 2008
A New Fredrikson IP E-newsletter: Tangent to the Circle C™
Dean R. Karau, September 2008
Some Lessons about Settlement from Tiffany v. eBay
Paul C. Thomas, August 2008
Marketers Beware: Avoid the Olympic Temptation
Paul C. Thomas, August 2008
The U.S. Olympic Committee And Trademark Enforcement – Why You Need To Be Careful About Using “Olympic” In Marketing
Dean R. Karau, August 2008
Did You Know . . . Droste Effect Packaging
Dean R. Karau, August 2008
Are There Any Trademark Rights Left In The Term Ping-Pong?
Dean R. Karau, August 2008
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, August 2008
See What Attorney Sam Brown Can Do For You . . . And the Reaction from UPS
Dean R. Karau, May 2008
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, May 2008
Shoetube.tv - A New Web 2.0 Venture - And a Possible YouTube Target
Dean R. Karau, May 2008
New Precedential TTAB Decision Requires Credible Evidence to Support Bona Fide Intent to Use Mark in the U.S.
Dean R. Karau, May 2008
Win, Lose or Draw - Protecting Board Games in a Competitive Marketplace
John C. Pickerill, May 2008
Marketing and Distribution in a Mean Economy
Richard J. Wegener, April 2008
Fredrikson Attorneys to Attend 2008 International Trademark Association Annual Meeting in Berlin
April 2008
Subway v. Quiznos: Homemade Advertising, YouTube & You
John C. Pickerill, February 2008
Brand BattlesSM - Trademark Disputes of Interest
Dean R. Karau, February 2008
Update: The Road to China: Now Is The Time To Protect Your Trademarks
Dean R. Karau, February 2008
How Do You Say “Irony” in China? Silk Street Applies to Register A Trademark
Dean R. Karau, February 2008
Gucci And The Big Apple Have Heart-To-Heart About Gucci’s Use Of NY’s Heart
Dean R. Karau, February 2008
谷歌 (Google) Defeats “Business Disruption” Claim Over Use Of Its New Chinese Brand Name
Dean R. Karau, January 2008
Can Promotion Law Slow Down the Hannah Montana Machine?
John C. Pickerill, January 2008
Did You Know . . . Xerox Is Changing Its Brand Identity
Dean R. Karau, January 2008
Ruby Tuesday’s Makeover Found Shady – Fabric Studio Sues Over Lampshade Design
Dean R. Karau, January 2008
Did You Know . . .Tattoo Marketing
Dean R. Karau, January 2008
Fredrikson & Byron Opens Office in China
January 2008
2007
Did You Know . . . There’s Only One Burger King In Mattoon, Illinois, And It’s Not “The Home of the Whopper”®
Dean R. Karau, December 2007
A Dog of a Case (Update): Court of Appeals Takes Bite Out of Louis Vuitton’s Claims That “Chewy Vuiton” Is Not Parody
Carrie L. Rosenberry, December 2007
Comparative Advertising in Today’s Marketplace: Whatever Happened to “Brand X?”
John C. Pickerill, December 2007
Campbell Soup Cans What Candidate Mike Campbell Thought Was an M’m! M’m! Good Idea
Dean R. Karau, December 2007
So You Think It Doesn’t Matter How Your Trademark Is Used? Xerox Corporation Would Say You’re Wrong!
Dean R. Karau, December 2007
Don’t Underestimate the Value of Your Point-of-Purchase Displays
Dean R. Karau and Thomas R. Hipkins, December 2007
Can You Use Your Own Name in Branding? Not Always
Dean R. Karau, October 2007
Puffery or False Advertising? Referee Blows Whistle on Basketball Manufacturer’s Claims of Innovation
Dean R. Karau, October 2007
Did You Know . . . “More & More Parents Get Domain Names For Babies”
Dean R. Karau, October 2007
F&B Attorneys To Discuss IP In China At The Minnesota Trade Office’s China Practicum on November 7
October 2007
Hear It Here - Nokia Gets A U.S. Trademark Registration For Its Ring Tone
Dean R. Karau, September 2007
INTA Volunteer Service Award Recipient and Domain Name Expert Caroline Chicoine Joins F&B Trademark Practice Group
September 2007
Naked Licensing ‘N The ‘Hood
John C. Pickerill, September 2007
The Top Brands of 2007
Dean R. Karau, September 2007
The Power of a Brand and Kids: Food Tastes Better if They Think It’s From McDonalds
Dean R. Karau, September 2007
Pepsico Stops Sale of Pop Can and Bottle Safes Bearing Its Famous Trademarks
Dean R. Karau, August 2007
“Freek” Beats Back a “Monster” Claim of Confusion in Energy Drink Trademark Battle of “Aggressive” Graphics
Dean R. Karau, July 2007
Top 5 Greatest Minnesota Marks – One Trademark Attorney’s Opinion
John C. Pickerill, July 2007
Be Sure You Can Establish Your Bona Fides When You Say You Intend to Use Your Mark in the U.S. – Or Suffer the Consequences
Dean R. Karau, May 2007
You Stuck Your Dope In My Chocolate Bar!
John C. Pickerill, May 2007
A Dog of a Case
Carrie L. Rosenberry, May 2007
Choosing Your Brands – Strong, Distinctive Marks Make Strong, Valuable Brands
Dean R. Karau, April 2007
Using Competitive Trademarks As Search Engine Keywords: Trademark Infringement or Strategic Marketing?
John C. Pickerill, April 2007
A Trademark Exclusion May Not Relieve An Insurer Of Its Duty To Defend
Laura L. Myers, April 2007
Your Fictional Literary Character: Trademark Cash Cow or Unprotectable Loser?
John C. Pickerill, March 2007
Update! Beware When Specifying the Goods Used with Your Trademark, or Risk Losing Your Trademark APPLICATION or Registration
Dean R. Karau, March 2007
Did You Register the Right Mark?
March 2007
Beware When Specifying the Goods Used with Your Trademark, or Risk Losing Your Trademark Registration Later
Dean R. Karau, January 2007
I Love You, You Hate Me: Barney Loses Legal Bout to Stop On-line Parody
John C. Pickerill, January 2007
YourCompanySucks.com
"In the end, the best reaction may be no reaction at all"
January 2007
2006
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign: Restrictions on Signage and What You Can Do
John C. Pickerill, December 2006
Protecting Your Product's Shape
Dean R. Karau, December 2006
Domain Name Internet Scam from China - What You Can Do
December 2006
The Road to China: An Overview of the Changing Landscape for Trademarks
Dean R. Karau, November 2006