I ♡ Trademarks Newsletter Issue #437
Bri Van Til | June 24, 2025
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Coined Terms
US-based cryptocurrency platform Coinbase has lost its appeal to cancel Japanese company bitFlyer’s EU trademark for COINBASE.
Korean company Kakao Pay has filed over a dozen trademark applications for names containing the letters KRW (Korean won) for its stablecoin platform.
In a dispute about WallStreetBets, the 9th Circuit has unsurprisingly affirmed that use in commerce is what entitles someone to trademark protection, not coining a term. Trademark basics, people.
For an introduction to crypto terms and more, specifically intended for IP attorneys, check out this article.
Fashion (Turn to the Left)
Hollywood-based fashion company Chrome Hearts is suing several Temu sellers for alleged trademark infringement.
Nike’s trademark infringement case against Shoe Surgeon has been settled. I wonder if they’ll change their operating procedures now.
Birkenstock’s attempt to get its sandal designs registered as “works of applied art” in Germany has failed, meaning they can’t use copyright law to defend against copycats. So trademarks might be their sole option.
Aldi has gotten in a lot of trouble recently for its lookalike products, but this fun product they’re selling shows they’ve nailed their response.
Pop Culture
Pop Mart’s trademark applications and registrations for CRYBABY for education, entertainment, and beer suggest possible expansions.
In case you don’t know what Pop Mart is, you can find a handy primer here.
As we mentioned a few months ago, disputes about the 007 trademarks may mean the trademark is up for grabs, and now folks are daydreaming about pop culture Bond mashups. Paddington Bond, anyone?
Speaking as a former teacher, I completely understand this judge’s order to show cause for gum left under the counsel’s table.
Professional Concerns
If you always wanted to go to Julliard but had parents that insisted you go to law school so you could make a living, now you can do both!
The dark days are gone, and the bright days are here, My Sony one shines so sincere. With this listing for IP counsel.
You’d be a natural fit for this AGC position at National Geographic. It’s a picture perfect job for you!
Not sure what to put in your résumé to apply for this senior commercial counsel position? Something Freshworks.
X, FKA Twitter, is looking for a legal ops associate. If you get the gig, maybe tell them the rebrand doesn’t seem to have gone great since almost two years in, it’s still being listed as X, FKA Twitter.
Have an open role on your team? Send a link to your job listing to [email protected], and we’ll publish it in our next newsletter.
Odds and Ends
After the dispute about the IYO trademark (mentioned in last week’s newsletter), OpenAI has removed from its site all references to the term or Jony Ive.
This article about PTAB standards might actually be important, but it mostly just reminds me that I’ve been telling my single friend Jenn for years that she should have “settled expectations” and should issue denials for those that don’t meet them. Anyway if you’re interested in discretionary denials, here‘s more about recent changes.
The NYIPLA is hosting a CLE event this week about trademark and copyright law.
What would legal scholarship look like if it were written solely by AI? The Texas A&M Journal of Property Law has put out a full issue with AI-produced content, so see for yourself.
When self-doubt creeps in, our dear friend Andrea Evans has some suggestions for you.