New Trademark Application Reveals Problems with Mad Rush for “Hot” Trends

Cannabis IP failure to function trademark

A new trademark application for COVID-KUSH was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), on July 30, 2020.  The applicant is Anthony Ariza dba Covid-Kush of Santa Clara, California.  The identification of goods and services indicates it is a mark for use in International Class 30, for gelatin-based chewy candies; flavored, sweetened gelatin …

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U.S. Patent No. 10,695,361 B2

patent Tech Patents trademark

Given the current coronavirus pandemic, much has been discussed about possible vaccine trials and antiviral treatments to coronavirus.  One patent directed to therapeutic use is U.S. Patent No. 10,695,361 B2 (‘361) issued on June 30, 2020, entitled ”Methods for Treating Arenaviridae and Coronaviridae Virus Infections.”  It was issued to inventors Michael O’Neil Hanrahan Clarke, Joy …

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SCOTUS Watch: SCOTUS Finds Adding “.com” to “Booking” Makes it a Non-Generic Registrable Mark

distinctiveness genericism scotus watch trademark

In a major ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court held in U.S.P.T.O. v. Booking.com B.V.,[1] that an otherwise generic mark used in commerce conveys source-identifying characteristics when used with the “.com” top-level domain (TLD).  In her majority opinion, Justice Ginsburg opined that since only one domain name owner can hold one particular domain name at any …

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Update: USPTO Issues Revised Counsel Rules

trademark

On September 5, 2019, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a revised Examination Guidelines 4-19, “Requirement of U.S.-Licensed Attorney for Foreign-Domiciled Trademark Applicants and Registrants.”  The Exam Guidelines 4-19, originally effective on August 3, 2019, were new formal requirements for trademark applications originating by applicants domiciled outside the United States.  The rules originally required …

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