Trademark Headquarters

Today's Google Hot Trends.

2009-01-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

Jan 19, 2009 - change date
Updated 3 hours ago

iGoogle Gadget New! Site Feed
1. martin luther king jr. day
2. willis mcgahee injury report
3. erik chopin
4. mlk quotes
5. marta kristen
6. sea squirt
7. post office holidays 2009
8. wral weather
9. i have a dream speech text
10. lost in space
11. bob may
12. robert e lee birthday
13. usps holidays
14. georgetown cupcake
15. mlk day
16. are banks open today
17. erik chopin gains weight
18. june lockhart
19. are banks open on mlk day
20. mortal kombat annihilation
21. hines ward injury
22. storyside b
23. mlk parade houston
24. to what political party did abraham lincoln belong
25. mcgahee hit
26. mcgahee status
27. sultan of brunei’s istana nurul iman
28. ascidian
29. philadelphia inquirer
30. russell rhodes
31. ravens mcgahee
32. linda bollea
33. stock market holidays 2009
34. james earl ray
35. 47pfl7403d
36. dubai s palm islands
37. federal holidays
38. is the stock market open today
39. cross and lopez
40. brenda carney meoni
41. baltimore sun
42. peanut butter recall 2008
43. mlk speech
44. wsoc weather
45. sullenberger interview
46. ardor
47. joaquin phoenix
48. philips flat screen power flashing led problem
49. mcgahee condition
50. baltimore newspaper
51. brenda warner
52. wbtv
53. bob may lost in space
54. little debbie recall
55. 88.1 the promise
56. dick tufeld
57. baltimore ravens news
58. philadelphia newspaper
59. javelina
60. lost in space tv show
61. baltimore ravens injured player
62. mlk closings
63. what time is the inauguration
64. studio number one
65. hip hop inaugural
66. is today a holiday
67. inauguration timeline
68. persona non grata
69. none but the lonely heart
70. us postal service holidays
71. nabokov novel
72. sully interview
73. philips 47pfl7403d
74. rays weather
75. new postage rates
76. bill mumy
77. cupcake chicks
78. kurt warner family
79. united states of tara
80. shannon quail
81. rex ryan
82. ron mcclelland
83. mcgahee update
84. nbc today show
85. day of service
86. cameron wake
87. arizona cardinals logo
88. javelina pig
89. miscreant
90. inauguration day 2009 schedule of events
91. january 19
92. ryugyong hotel
93. el diario de hoy
94. watch inauguration online
95. sea spiders
96. news 14 carolina
97. powerpuff girls
98. summer phoenix
99. mail delivery holidays
100. kelli mccarty

Their Back ...

2009-01-16T00:25:00.001-05:00

Not Trademark Related, But Cool Nonetheless

2009-01-12T15:11:00.001-05:00

Hot Trends (USA)

Jan 12, 2009 - change date
Updated 1 hour ago

iGoogle Gadget New! Site Feed
1. heritage wealth management
2. marcus schrenker
3. piper pa 36
4. jim caldwell
5. room a day giveaway
6. ann coulter on the view
7. klieg lights
8. elegiac
9. jim rice
10. portuguese water hound
11. white pointer shark
12. list of golden globe winners
13. houston livestock show and rodeo
14. space roar
15. 2010 prius
16. motorola aura cell phone
17. cnnhealth.com
18. roomadaygiveaway.com
19. tony dungy
20. rickey henderson
21. misunderestimated
22. slingshot water purifier
23. baseball hall of fame
24. houston rodeo lineup 2009
25. sony vaio lifestyle pc
26. hlsr
27. golden globes best dressed
28. labradoodle puppies
29. rev. sharon watkins
30. jim rice hall of fame
31. elegiac definition
32. white trash cake
33. mickey rourke plastic surgery
34. judge ronald ellis
35. kim calo
36. gene robinson
37. josh bowman.
38. university of montana
39. renee zellweger golden globes
40. natalie dylan
41. disciples of christ
42. public school clothing
43. chicago board of trade
44. kimberly calo
45. hemlock woolly adelgid
46. leveret
47. nicole zobkiw
48. robert pattinson golden globes
49. caylee died in june
50. mlb hall of fame 2009
51. detroit auto show
52. brooke crittendon
53. mike nolan
54. jennifer lopez golden globes
55. inauguration 2009
56. advanced medical optics
57. strauss operas
58. regis and kelly baby contest
59. tina fey golden globes
60. luise rainer
61. kingsport times news
62. thomas hoey
63. peanut butter recall
64. megan fox golden globes
65. johnson city press
66. wollaston alloys
67. j lo golden globes
68. drew barrymore golden globes
69. kodak easyshare 8.1mp digital camera with 12x optical zoom
70. labradoodle pictures
71. flying car
72. tulsa community college
73. cme group
74. yankee magazine
75. bush press conference
76. lg touch watch phone
77. niche blueprint
78. super iphone
79. babson lacrosse
80. evolution of dance 2
81. taco bell wedding
82. kathleen holtz
83. michael young
84. morgan trade group
85. motorola layoffs
86. anthony spencer
87. welding automation
88. kroc
89. kttc
90. abc.com the view
91. sharon watkins disciples of christ
92. keloland
93. cnn.com/health
94. 93q country
95. miguel montero
96. kevin gfell
97. vocats practice tests
98. mcnabb phone
99. what time is the inauguration
100. mickey rourke acceptance speech

Predicting Domain Name Trademark Infringement?

2008-11-19T07:57:00.004-05:00

Scary article from CircleID today on creating statistical models to determine potential trademark infringement by domainers. Here's an idea: trademark lawyers, not statistical models ... http://www.circleid.com/posts/predicting_domain_name_trademark_infringement/

Joe the Plumber May Have a Trademark Problem

2008-10-20T17:14:00.004-04:00

The current political climate has referred much to "Joe the Plumber." The PTO records indicate that there is in fact a current federal trademark registration for "BIG JOE THE PLUMBER" for use in connection with plumbing contracting services. The claimed first use date of that trademark is a little suspect, 1916. Really?

Word Mark BIG JOE THE PLUMBER
Goods and Services IC 037. US 100 103 106. G & S: plumbing contractor. FIRST USE: 19160000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19160000
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number 75087644
Filing Date April 15, 1996
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition January 21, 1997
Registration Number 2052523
Registration Date April 15, 1997
Owner (REGISTRANT) Big Joe the Plumber, Inc. CORPORATION ILLINOIS 2115 20th Avenue Rockford ILLINOIS 61104
(LAST LISTED OWNER) BENNETT, VICKIE MS. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 2115 20TH AVENUE ROCKFORD ILLINOIS 61104

(LAST LISTED OWNER) KOFOED, TIMM MR. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 2115 20TH AVENUE ROCKFORD ILLINOIS 61104

Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record NANCY GRIMME SCHILLING
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE "THE PLUMBER" APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20060924.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 20060924
Other Data The nickname "BIG JOE" does not identify a living person.
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Chromium

2008-09-10T20:11:00.003-04:00

A few days ago, I wrote that Google had yet to file a trademark application for "CHROME" the name of its new web browser. Today I noticed that the United States Patent and Trademark Office updated its records (usually takes a few days from the time of online filing) to reflect that Google did file a new federal trademark application for "CHROMIUM", see below, and separately, for the design used as part of its logo for the CHROME browser, see below. Why "CHROMIUM" and not "CHROME"?

Word Mark CHROMIUM
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer software
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: educational services

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: technical support services

Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 77560651
Filing Date September 2, 2008
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Google Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE Building 41 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View CALIFORNIA 94043
Attorney of Record Terri Y Chen
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

and

Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer software
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: educational services

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: technical support services

Mark Drawing Code (2) DESIGN ONLY
Design Search Code 15.05.04 - Computer devices; CPU (central processing unit); Mainframes (computer); PDAs (handheld computer); Printer (computer); Servers, computer; Tape drives (computer)
26.01.02 - Circles, plain single line; Plain single line circles
26.01.12 - Circles with bars, bands and lines
Serial Number 77560672
Filing Date September 2, 2008
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Google Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE Building 41 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway Mountain View CALIFORNIA 94043
Attorney of Record Terri Y Chen
Description of Mark Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of Circular Design.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Google Launches Chrome Browser, But No Trademark Application On File Yet

2008-09-04T10:21:00.004-04:00

Trademark applications, we don't need no stinking trademark applications. Google launched its own web browser recently. I downloaded it today, and it's smoking fast and is a handy tool in my work environment. As usual I took a peek at the United States Patent and Trademark Office's records and found that as of today, no trademark application had been filed for "CHROME" by Google. I guess that the school of thought in Mountain View, California is that when you are this big, you don't need no stinking trademark application, at least before you launch the brand into commerce.

Burning Man, Corporate Logos Not Welcome, Hypocrisy?

2008-08-26T09:09:00.005-04:00

CAPTION:
Painting over Logos with Playa Mud

YEAR:
2000

PHOTOGRAPHER:
Geoff

CONTACT INFO:
Email Geoff

URL:
http://octopup.org/burning-man

Ever since I first learned of the Burning Man event in an article in Wired Magazine (www.wired.com) sometime in the early 90s, I've told myself that I would make it out there. It's now 2008, the event started yesterday, and I'm no closer to packing up my tent and survival gear and heading out to the Black Rock Desert.

If you are not familiar with the event, well, it can't be explained. Check out www.burningman.com. Any attempt to explain it will be lost here. However, the interesting thing is that over the years the self-proclaimed anti-corporate, anti-establishment event has become, well, part of the establishment. Here's an example, they now charge an entrance fee of nearly $300.00. No tickets are sold at the gate, but must be purchased online or at select ticket outlets before the event. Also, while the Burning Man website proclaims that it is a "commerce-free event" (see FAQs on www.burningman.com), someone forgot to tell Paper Man, LLC the legal entity that filed and obtained the following federal trademark registration:

Word Mark BURNING MAN
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: ORGANIZING COMMUNITY FESTIVALS FEATURING A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES, NAMELY, LIVE MUSIC, ART DISPLAYS, AND PARTICIPATORY GAMES; CONDUCTING ENTERTAINMENT EXHIBITIONS IN THE NATURE OF ART FESTIVALS; AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE NATURE OF ART FESTIVALS. FIRST USE: 19860601. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19870601
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 78215401
Filing Date February 15, 2003
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition November 18, 2003
Registration Number 2813051
Registration Date February 10, 2004
Owner (REGISTRANT) Paper Man, LLC LTD LIAB JT ST CO CALIFORNIA 4200 Park Blvd., #203 Oakland CALIFORNIA 94602
(LAST LISTED OWNER) BLACK ROCK CITY, LLC LTD LIAB CO CALIFORNIA 1900 THIRD STREET, FLOOR 2 SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA 94158

Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

What's more commercial than registering a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office?

It's Worldwide Baby ...

2008-08-25T17:10:00.004-04:00

I track the hits of www.trademarkheadquarters.com for a variety of reasons. First, I like to know what keywords bring people to my blog, and second I like to know where the searches originate from. Here's a snapshot of the origin of some recent searches that found www.trademarkheadquarters.com.

Another Fun Case ...

2008-08-09T10:12:00.001-04:00

June 12, 2008
Battle over marketing 'Mile 0' continues

BY ANNE-MARGARET SWARY

Citizen Staff

KEY WEST — Arguments continued Wednesday over who has the right to sell goods bearing Key West's popular "Mile 0" road sign.

Attorneys for local businessman Yaron Wasserman have been trying to prove for the past 20 months that he has a valid trademark for "Mile 0" that prohibits other tourist shops from selling T-shirts, hats and other souvenirs with the emblem.

The actual green Mile Marker 0 sign at Whitehead and Fleming streets identifies the southernmost point of U.S. 1, the roadway that runs along the nation's East Coast all the way to Fort Kent, Maine.

Wasserman obtained federal and state trademarks for Mile 0 in 2003, but Fort Lauderdale attorney Frank Herrera, who is representing three local businesses Wasserman is suing for trademark infringement, argues that he should not have been allowed to trademark the wording and design of the sign.

Mile 0 is a "geographically descriptive" term, and therefore cannot be trademarked under federal law, Herrera contended during a hearing Wednesday morning in front of circuit Judge David Audlin.

One of Wasserman's attorneys, Hugh Morgan, argued that the Mile 0 sign is not "geographically descriptive" and therefore can be trademarked. Morgan said there are three requirements for the categorization, and the sign doesn't meet any of them — so Wasserman's trademark is valid.

First, the term or image must describe an actual geographic location.

"You say Mile 0 means Key West. I don't believe that's correct," said another attorney for Wasserman, Charles Hanor, a San Antonio lawyer who specializes in trademark law. " 'Key West' is a geographical description. 'Mile 0' is not."

Hanor also said there are Mile 0 signs in other towns across the nation where many other highways end. He held up a photo showing a family posing in front of a Mile 0 sign in Alaska.

In response, Herrera, the attorney for the businesses being sued, referred to a case in Atlanta in which a company couldn't trademark "ATL" because it was considered geographically descriptive, as it is a popular abbreviation for the city to the majority of people living in or visiting Atlanta.

"So folks in the Atlanta area and even beyond would recognize the ATL as being geographically descriptive," Herrera said. Similarly, the "relevant purchasing consumer" in Key West would associate Mile 0 with the island of Key West, making it also geographically descriptive, and therefore ineligible for a trademark, he argued.

The second and third requirements for the "geographically descriptive" label — negating a trademark — are that the goods must be produced in that region, and that region must be known for its manufacture or production of those goods.

Morgan, Wasserman's attorney, said the Mile 0 trademark doesn't fit the bill.

"T-shirts and baseball hats are not manufactured in Key West, and Key West is not known for the manufacture of T-shirts or baseball hats, like the Bordeaux region of France is known for Bordeaux wine, Idaho is known for potatoes and Detroit is known for cars," Morgan told The Citizen after the hearing.

Judge Audlin was expected to rule on the case, or decide if it would go to trial, but he said both sides needed more time to present their arguments.

Both parties now have 30 days to submit supplemental briefs further arguing their case. Audlin then will decide if additional oral arguments are necessary before his ruling.

A Fun Case that I've Handled ...

2008-08-09T10:10:00.001-04:00

Friday, March 7, 2008
Trademark case revolves around anti-Hillary Clinton groupSouth Florida Business Journal - by Paul Brinkmann

Well-known Republican political consultant Roger Stone is a defendant in a federal trademark infringement lawsuit filed by a Virginia political organization.

Stone, who works in tandem with the Fort Lauderdale law firm Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler (RRA), is involved in a new anti-Hillary Clinton political organization called Citizens United Not Timid, which sells T-shirts and asks "What is Hillary Clinton?"

The lawsuit, filed by Citizens United, notes the defendant's Web site asks that question above a stylized logo intended to represent the anatomy of a woman and the group's name forms a vulgar acronym.

Washington, D.C.-based Citizens United has criticized Hillary Clinton in a film and was established in 1988 with registered marks. Three Virginia law firms and Miami attorney Alexander Anguiera represent the group.

RRA's Frank Herrera and Gustavo Sardiña, plus Miami attorney Michael Becker represent Stone and his group.

The suit, in U.S. District Court for Southern Florida, alleges assistant treasurer Stone and Chairman Jeffrey Jones knew about the Virginia group and tried to make people think the Virginia group was behind their effort. The suit seeks an injunction against use of the name.

In response, Stone's lawyers have argued the suit should be dismissed for procedural missteps and because there is no - or only incidental - similarity between the goods and services of both groups, and the suit is "nothing more than an attempt to chill defendants' First Amendment rights." Stone's lawyers offer a list of groups that have Citizens United as part of their name.

It's been a while ....

2008-07-29T08:47:00.004-04:00

I'm a quite aware that it has been several months since my last posting. Unfortunately, my day job gets in the way.

Since I have a few minutes before I'm off to another deposition (coincidentally, the owner of a couple of the trademarks below, CARTIER, is deposing my client today), and considering that today is my birthday (no presents please), I thought it appropriate to point out that there are 76 records for trademarks at the USPTO that include the term "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" for a variety of goods and services. Here are a few:

Word Mark HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Eyeglasses, sunglasses, eyeglass frames and cases, magnifying glasses, phone straps
IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: Pens, fountain pens, ball-point pens, pencils, mechanical pencils, felt-tip pens, rollerballs, pouches, cases and boxes for writting instruments; note paper, note pads, memo pads, diaries; paperweights, paper knives, pens and pencil holders

Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Trademark Search Facility Classification Code SHAPES-MISC Miscellaneous shaped designs
Serial Number 79045955
Filing Date August 31, 2007
Current Filing Basis 66A
Original Filing Basis 66A
Published for Opposition February 12, 2008
Registration Number 3418755
International Registration Number 0942795
Registration Date April 29, 2008
Owner (REGISTRANT) Cartier Internationl N.V.,; a holding and trading company organized; and existing under the laws of the; Netherlands Antilles a Limited Liability Company NETHERLD ANTILLES Scharlooweg 33 Curaçao NETHERLD ANTILLES
Priority Date March 19, 2007
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Word Mark HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Goods and Services IC 030. US 046. G & S: Popcorn, pretzels and marshmallow crispy treats, namely, marshmallow and rice snack bars. FIRST USE: 20070504. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070504
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 78693287
Filing Date August 16, 2005
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition September 12, 2006
Registration Number 3336409
Registration Date November 13, 2007
Owner (REGISTRANT) Super Bakery, Incorporated CORPORATION PENNSYLVANIA Suite 455 5700 Corporate Drive Pittsburgh PENNSYLVANIA 15237
Attorney of Record John W. McIlvaine
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Word Mark HAPPY BIRTHDAY ... TO ME!
Goods and Services IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: Specialized birthday cards designed to be sent to friends and family on the user's own birthday. FIRST USE: 20010501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20010501
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 78077503
Filing Date August 4, 2001
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition March 5, 2002
Registration Number 2696740
Registration Date March 11, 2003
Owner (REGISTRANT) T. Bergman Enterprises, Inc. CORPORATION OKLAHOMA P.O. Box 1324 635 Timber Lane Edmond OKLAHOMA 73083
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Word Mark HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Goods and Services IC 018. US 001 002 003 022 041. G & S: leather goods, namely, rucksacks, handbags, travelling bags, trunks and suitcases
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75405309
Filing Date December 15, 1997
Current Filing Basis 44E
Original Filing Basis UNKNOWN
Published for Opposition March 2, 1999
Registration Number 2247421
Registration Date May 25, 1999
Owner (REGISTRANT) Cartier International B.V. CORPORATION NETHERLANDS Herengracht 436 B.P. 3980 Amsterdam NETHERLANDS
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record HELEN M O'SHAUGHNESSY
Priority Date July 28, 1997
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

2008-03-10T23:22:00.002-04:00

2008-03-10T22:38:00.002-04:00

Barcamp Report

2008-02-28T17:16:00.003-05:00

It's a little after 5 p.m., and I'm sitting in the Bricabox presentation. Very cool. Check them out. I like the restaurant review app.

www.bricabox.com

BarCamp Miami 2008

2008-02-28T09:31:00.004-05:00

http://barcamp.org/BarCampMiami

BarCamp Miami is Finaly Here!

Watch out there are two other Barcamp's out there. One for hotel services, the other for law school prep classes. Check out the records regarding same from the USPTO:

Word Mark BARCAMP "THE EXTREME ESSAY & PERFORMANCE COURSE"
Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Educational services, namely, conducting classes in the field of law school and bar exam preparation. FIRST USE: 19860901. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050901
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 03.17.03 - Claws; Feet, bird; Parts of birds: claws, talons, feet, foot tracks; Talons; Tracks, bird
14.03.02 - Bolts; Fasteners, bolts; Fasteners, nails; Fasteners, screws; Nails (hardware); Nuts (hardware); Rivets; Screws; Tacks, thumb; Thumbtacks
25.03.05 - Backgrounds covered with dots; Dotted backgrounds
26.01.21 - Circles that are totally or partially shaded.
26.11.02 - Plain single line rectangles; Rectangles (single line)
Serial Number 78919721
Filing Date June 29, 2006
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition February 27, 2007
Registration Number 3241967
Registration Date May 15, 2007
Owner (REGISTRANT) Mar, William D. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 17428 Chatsworth Granada Hills CALIFORNIA 90401
Description of Mark The mark consists of a claw print and the stylized text of the wording BARCAMP "THE EXTREME ESSAY & PERFORMANCE COURSE".
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

and

Word Mark BARCAMP
Goods and Services IC 043. US 100 101. G & S: hotel and restaurant services
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 77122137
Filing Date March 5, 2007
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition December 11, 2007
Owner (APPLICANT) Group 34, LLC LTD LIAB CO ILLINOIS 1998 Country Cove Court Las Vegas NEVADA 89135
Attorney of Record Adam K Sacharoff
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

Register Your Trademarks in Cuba NOW!

2008-02-24T09:26:00.008-05:00

About a year ago, I wrote a post about the importance of registering your trademarks in Cuba, sooner, rather than later. Now, a year later, it is more important than ever to heed that advice. While it is impossible to predict the precise economic geography of a post-castro Cuba, it is clear that the nation will be friendlier to foreign investment and product distribution. Miami and the surrounding areas will no doubt be a gateway for business in Cuba.

For very little investment, you can take a step toward insuring that your products and services will be offered in post-castro Cuba without a trademark dispute. There is a reason why many of America's Fortune 500 companies have already registered their trademarks in Cuba. You should do the same now.

The images above are labels of Bacardi's HAVANA CLUB branded rum made in Puerto Rico, and Cuba's HAVANA CLUB branded rum made in Cuba. This trademark was hotly contested in United States federal court and in the United States Patent & Trademark Office.

To Infinity and Beyond ...

2008-02-21T21:31:00.003-05:00

Techcrunch.com reports that Software company Redhat is miffed about DataPortability's logo which coincidentally includes an infinity symbol (same angle). www.techcrunch.com (2/21/08) "LOGO WAR: RED HAT TAKES ON PORTABILITY"

By the way, the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") classifies all designs into a six digit code. The design code for the infinity symbol is "24.17.12". You can enter this code into the PTO's website using the TESS search system and find that the infinity symbol is commonly used in the tech industry as part of a trademark. It seems that in this case, the angle, size, etc... was too close for Red Hat's comfort.

Qtask - Excellent Tool for Project & Task Management

2008-02-21T15:06:00.007-05:00

www.qtask.com

Trademark Headquarters Wiki Page

2008-02-17T18:56:00.002-05:00

http://trademarkheadquarters.wetpaint.com/

Silicon Valley Comes to South Beach

2008-02-14T16:12:00.012-05:00

I'll be at this year's Future of Web Apps event on South Beach February 28th-March 1. Check out their website for a description of the workshops, discussions, etc... Also, our firm is hosting a event

Watch Wine Library TV

Changing the wine world.

http://www.futureofwebapps.com/2008/miami/workshops.php

Neat Service to Track New Domain Registrations that Use Your Trademark

2008-02-13T14:35:00.002-05:00

The website www.domaintools.com and others like it are great tools for any trademark attorney, or in house counsel charged with maintaining a client's trademark portfolio and domain names. I like the feature (Mark Alert) that emails you a notice each time someone registers a new domain that includes your trademark.

Meebo - TMHQ Discussion Board

2008-01-31T13:29:00.000-05:00

At the bottom of this blog, you will find a neat new discussion board widget from www.meebo.com. Feel free to post your trademark related questions and comments here.

Rate a Venture Capitalist

2008-01-28T13:19:00.000-05:00

As a trademark attorney, at times I represent start-ups that are seeking investors such as Venture Capitalist ("VCs"). Here's an interesting website that allows users to rate or otherwise provide comment on certain VCs.

www.thefunded.com

Socialist Still Enjoy Trademarked Products

2008-01-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

Venezuelan Justice Minister Pedro Carreno freaked out when asked by a journalist whether it was a Socialist principal to criticize capitalism while wearing a Louis Vuitton tie and Gucci shoes.