Feb 22 | 2019

McDonald’s Wins Battle, Loses War

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (“EUTM”) recently cancelled McDonald’s trademark registration for the BIG MAC word mark because it had not been put to “genuine use” in the European Union (“EU”) for five continuous years following the date of…
Jan 16 | 2019

Disclaimer Or No Disclaimer: That Is The Question

General Principles: When a trademark – in relation to the goods and services tendered in an application – comprises descriptive, generic or otherwise unregistrable matter, the United Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) is apt to request a disclaimer.  While typically…
Nov 27 | 2018

Dunner Law Trademarks 101: What is a Trademark?

Trademarks can be a variety of things, such as words, names, phrases, symbols or designs, and even sounds. Trademarks have a dual purpose, helping businesses distinguish their products in the market, and in turn, helping consumers identify the source and…
Sep 14 | 2018

Power-Up Your Mark: Depiction, Marking and Consistency

Given competing demands, consumers must immediately recognize and perceive a trademark. Selecting and clearing a trademark are crucial, but neither guarantees consumer recognition nor perception. Standards for depicting, marking and using a trademark are therefore important. The strength of a…
Feb 20 | 2018

Combatting Online Copyright Infringement

If you are an artist, musician or creator, protecting your work online can be a daunting and difficult task. There is only one of you, and the internet is vast. However, there are tools that you can use to help…
May 28 | 2015

Top Trademark Filing Tips for Foreign Applicants

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) is an obvious forum for foreign trademark owners looking to protect their trademarks. There are, however, many key differences between the legal and procedural landscapes for trademarks in the U.S. and foreign…
Mar 27 | 2012

Thinking Strategically About Domain Registration

Staking out an online presence by strategically purchasing domain names can be just as important to a business as maintaining a physical storefront or carving out a sales territory. You can save time and money down the road by pursuing…