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The harm caused to brands by counterfeiting goes far beyond loss of sales or profits.  Fake goods jeopardize public health and safety when a brand’s trademark is applied to a sub-standard and potentially harmful product.  This is especially hazardous for counterfeit medical items, mechanical parts, and food products, to name a few.  What is more, the reputational damage inflicted by low-quality products can be devastating.
Continue Reading Practice Tips for Combating Counterfeiters: An Action Plan for Brands, Manufacturers and Retailers

Does your company’s wholly-owned subsidiary own trademarks in its own name?  Has your company acquired any companies that own trademarks?  If so, your company’s use of those trademarks will not prevent cancellation of those trademark registrations unless you have proper trademark license agreements in place.  This is exactly what happened to Floorco Enterprises, LLC’s NOBLE HOUSE trademark registration.  In a precedential decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) cancelled Floorco’s trademark registration because only Floorco’s parent company was using the trademark and there was no trademark license agreement in place between Floorco and its parent company.
Continue Reading Parent Company Furnishes Cancellation of Subsidiary’s Trademark Registration