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Articles 1 - 7 of 7
Full-Text Articles in Marketing
An Alternate Functionality Reality, Harold R. Weinberg
An Alternate Functionality Reality, Harold R. Weinberg
Journal of Intellectual Property Law
The Supreme Court last addressed trade dress law’s functionality doctrine in TrafFix Devices, Inc. v. Marketing Displays, Inc. decided in 2001. This article applies content analysis to data from post-TrafFix functionality cases to provide insights concerning the functionality doctrine. It emphasizes data from cases concerning motions for summary judgment and preliminary injunction. The analysis employs two conceptual constructs: a “useful/aesthetic continuum” and “mixed-character” design features. The article also considers data in light of a “two-bar mandate” and two principles: “useful-scarcity” and “aesthetic-abundance.” It concludes with observations concerning the post-TrafFix functionality doctrine and suggestions for improving its judicial …
Counterfeits, Copying And Class, Ann Bartow
Counterfeits, Copying And Class, Ann Bartow
Law Faculty Scholarship
Consumers who want to express themselves by wearing contemporary clothing styles should not have to choose between expensive brands and counterfeit products. There should be a clear distinction in trademark law between illegal, counterfeit goods and perfectly legal (at least with respect to trademark law) "knockoffs," in which aesthetically functional design attributes have been copied but trademarks have not. Toward that end, as a normative matter, the aesthetic features of products should not be registrable or protectable as trademarks or trade dress, regardless of whether they have secondary meaning, just as functional attributes of a utilitarian nature are not eligible …
Calling Bulls**T On The Lanham Act: The 2(A) Bar For Immoral, Scandalous, And Disparaging Marks, Megan M. Carpenter, Kathryn T. Murphy
Calling Bulls**T On The Lanham Act: The 2(A) Bar For Immoral, Scandalous, And Disparaging Marks, Megan M. Carpenter, Kathryn T. Murphy
Law Faculty Scholarship
As the Lanham Act approaches the age of 65, it is a good time to take stock of its application to, and place within, the object and purpose of trademark law. Trademark law seeks to promote fair competition by reducing consumer search costs and preventing confusion in the minds of consumers as to the source of goods and services. However, Section 2(a) of the Lanham Act prevents registration of marks that are “immoral,” “scandalous,” “disparaging,” “deceptive,” or which “create a false association” with persons, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols. The 2(a) bar expands trademark law well beyond its basic goals. …
Towards Symmetry In The Law Of Branding, Rebecca Tushnet
Towards Symmetry In The Law Of Branding, Rebecca Tushnet
Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works
Companies sometimes want to abandon an old identity and rebrand with a new one. Trademark law probably does not have much to say about rebranding in itself. But we should be careful about how we think about rebranding and other undisclosed source relationships because, if not handled properly, law’s recognition of such techniques could end up reinforcing trademark owners’ ability to deter competition and control free speech.
Rational Design Rights Ignorance, David Orozco
New-School Trademark Dilution: Famous Among The Juvenile Consuming Public, Alexandra J. Roberts
New-School Trademark Dilution: Famous Among The Juvenile Consuming Public, Alexandra J. Roberts
Law Faculty Scholarship
The recently enacted Trademark Dilution Revision Act of 2006 recalibrated the degree of fame necessary to garner protection: the TDRA applies only to a mark "widely recognized by the general consuming public of the United States as a designation of source of the goods or services of the mark’s owner." By privileging those major players who succeed in turning their brands into household names, the TDRA strengthens incentives for mark-owners to ensure their logos and brand names are well-recognized not only among adult consumers, but also among children. This Article examines a set of marketing behaviors aimed at children that …
Guarding Your Company's Intellectual Property Rights: Patents, Trademarks, And Copyright Protection, Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D Apr
Guarding Your Company's Intellectual Property Rights: Patents, Trademarks, And Copyright Protection, Douglas J. Swanson Ed.D Apr
Douglas J. Swanson, Ed.D APR
No abstract provided.