I ♡ Trademarks NewsletterIssue #330
Bri Van Til | March 28, 2023
Car Wars
Close to 50 new German trademark applications indicate that BMW is creating new models and perhaps changing their naming conventions, but not to anything exciting!
Aston Martin is apparently giving their DB11 a facelift and a dramatically different name: DB12. Will someone talk to these car companies about the spectrum of distinctiveness?
A new Australian trademark application by Mazda at least isn’t just a series of letters and numbers: it’s for MIATA (yeah, the same name they’ve used here for decades).
Nissan decided they couldn’t afFORD to let their competitor trademark SKYLINE.
Oh What Fun!
Trademark applications for the likes of STARFALL RACERS suggest names for new attractions at Universal Orlando. Maybe the car companies should check out some of these!
It’s not trademark related, but check out MSCHF’s newest venture: online dating/tax filing software. Think they’ll see a return on their investment? Will the clients see a lot of incoming messages? You can find the software here.
SCOTUS appears to be having some fun with Jack Daniel’s v. VIP. They seem to be chewing up some of the arguments and spitting them out. For an overview of recent 1st Amendment challenges to trademark law, check out this guest blog post!
I bet this competition from the UK IP Office would bring some hilarious entries!
Celebrities
Kim Kardashian has filed more trademarks in her daughter’s name, signaling a skincare line. She should create some self-tanning products since there’s less sun up North.
According to this exclusive report (made possible by public records) Kylie Jenner has filed a new trademark application for GLOSS DRIP.
What do celebrity trademarks tell us about strategies (both successful and not)?
Trademarks suggest that Diddy will start a new reality tv show, DIDDY + 7, featuring his kids.
Professional Concerns
If you aren’t feeling particularly attachéd to your current job, consider this USPTO attorney advisor position in Guangzhou, China.
Does your current job leave you with a big, empty pit in your stomach? Maybe you should consider becoming a trademark and business attorney at the Creator’s Law Firm. Oh wait: it says Creator’s, not Craters. Either way, you should apply.
This IP counsel position at Starbucks will help you foamulate strategies. It’s a grande opportunity that I think you’ll like a latte.
Samsung the praises of this tech company, so now everyone wants to work as content counsel there.
Have an open role on your team? Send a link to your job listing to community@altlegal.com, and we’ll publish it in our next newsletter.
Odds and Ends
Brand Action is back this year with a goal to top the $80,000 they donated to charity last year.
A judge has refused several counterclaims in the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT suit, resulting in some wins for Yuga Labs.
WTR wants your opinions about practice management; take their survey here.
The TTAB has ruled in the decades-long COHIBA v. COHIBA trademark infringement case: Cohiba is close but no cigar.
The USPTO is piloting a pretrial conference program for TTAB inter partes cases.