April 9, 2026

Authored by: Blake R. Hartz When filing a U.S. trademark application, one of the fundamental decisions applicants face is whether to seek registration on the Principal Register or the Supplemental Register. While many applicants may not be aware that two…

March 12, 2026

Authored by: Blake R. Hartz U.S. trademark applicants must establish both a filing basis and a registration basis. While this may sound straightforward, the distinction between these two concepts and the specific requirements associated with each can be a source…

October 15, 2025

Having a federal trademark registration is a significant step in protecting your brand, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’re completely in the clear. While these registrations come with a variety of benefits and protections—particularly for the goods and services listed—it’s…

September 24, 2025

When it comes to branding your company or product, choosing a name that closely resembles an existing trademark can lead to some serious trouble, such as a cease and desist letter or even a trademark infringement lawsuit. To steer clear…

September 10, 2025

Have you ever wondered what the role of a trademark really is? Trademarks are more than just symbols or logos; they play a vital role in the marketplace by helping customers easily identify the source of a product or service.…

April 9, 2025

Heritage All. v. Am. Pol’y Roundtable Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision from the Federal Circuit offers important lessons for anyone hoping to protect a descriptive brand name as a trademark. In Heritage Alliance v. American Policy Roundtable,…

March 12, 2025

Bullshine Distillery LLC v. Sazerac Brands, LLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent Federal Circuit decision, Bullshine Distillery LLC v. Sazerac Brands, LLC, tackled the question of when a term is considered generic for trademark purposes. The case centered…

September 3, 2024

Tribe of Two, LLC v. Vidal Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision from the Federal Circuit highlights how two trademarks can look somewhat alike but still be considered legally distinct, avoiding confusion in the marketplace. The case involved…

May 23, 2024

Luca McDermott Catena Gift Trust v. Fructuoso-Hobbs SL Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit highlights the limits on who can challenge registered trademarks at the U.S. Patent…

February 15, 2024

Naterra Int’l, Inc. v. Bensalem Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky A recent decision highlights how important it is for the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) to fully consider all relevant evidence when deciding if two trademarks are likely to…

January 22, 2024

In re Go & Assocs., LLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently affirmed a decision that denied trademark registration for the phrase “EVERYBODY VS RACISM.” The applicant, GO & Associates,…

January 3, 2024

CeramTec GmbH v. CoorsTek Bioceramics LLC Authored by: Jeremy J. Gustrowsky In a recent decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed the cancellation of CeramTec GmbH’s trademarks for the pink color used in its ceramic hip implant components. CeramTec, a manufacturer of…