I ♡ Trademarks NewsletterIssue #498
Bri Van Til | September 29, 2026
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Word on the Streetwear
New Balance is alleging that Decathlon’s mirrored K logo is too similar to their own N mark and would cause confusion. They’re alleging N-fringement.
Fashion designer James Concannon’s copyright infringement suit against LEGO survived a motion for summary judgment. The designer alleges the toy company used the design of his jacket without permission, and LEGO’s argument fell to pieces.
Crocs says that Five Below’s foam clogs and their charms infringe their trademarks and patents.
Identify Yourself
McLaren has announced a new logo, and their trademark applications suggest new model names as well.
You may’ve heard that South Park’s creators recently renamed the show South America. Apparently the move resulted in a significant boost in younger viewers. So the rebrand seems not to have gone south.
Rapper Ovrkast had allegedly agreed to change his stage name to avoid confusion with famed duo Outkast, but now he’s being sued for not complying with the agreement. The duo said to him “Hey ya,” and he responded with “hush that fuss,” and now they’ve responded with: “I am for real.” Maybe if the rapper changes his name to OVERKXST as they’d initially agreed, they’ll tell him “I like the way you move.”
In the Hot Seat
President Trump’s company, DTTM, has filed a trademark application for TRUMP TV, just a few days after the White House launched its streaming service of the same name.
Walmart’s latest patent filings have created something of a PR headache for the mega retailer, as they’ve had to come out with statements like: “Your income, shopping history, urgency or what we think you could pay won’t change the price.”
News outlets want the judge in their suit against OpenAI to largely ignore the Department of Justice’s support of AI companies in the massive copyright infringement suits still making their way through the courts. I guess you could say the outlets want to pull the plug on the DOJ.
Professional Concerns
How would you rate this job opening for an IP specialist at Nielsen?
According to their website, Honda is looking for senior principal counsel. Even if you don’t get the job, applying would be a real odyssey, and it might be your passport to a better career.
I bet it’d be a real Dialight working as a paralegal for this LED company.
Have an open role on your team? Email us at [email protected], and we’ll try to get it in our next newsletter!
Odds & Ends
Starting this week, international trademarks originating in the US will need to be filed through eMadrid, not through TEASi. Not feeling ready for the switch? Join us for this webinar to learn from the WIPO team exactly what to do!
Epic Games filed a trademark application for MEGAVERSE. Strangely, though, they filed a similar application a few years ago but were mostly successfully opposed by Megaverse Ltd.
Above the Law wants to hear from in-house teams: who is your go-to outside counsel? In-house folks, take their survey! Folks at law firms: send the survey to your clients to nominate you!