No. It is not necessary to prove likelihood of confusion to prevail on a trademark dilution claim. The harm caused by dilution is loss of distinctiveness or damage to reputation, not consumer confusion.
Is it necessary to prove likeilihood of confusion to succeed on a dilution claim? Read More »
Courts consider a variety of factors to determine whether a likelihood of confusion exists. Similarity of the marks and the similarity or relatedness of the goods or services are the most important factors. Courts also look at things like the similarity of marketing channels, the strength (distinctiveness) of the original mark, intent to deceive, actual
How do courts assess the likilihood of confusion? Read More »
Trademark infringement is the unauthorized use of a trademark in a way that is likely to confuse consumers about the source of a product or service. It occurs when an identical or similar mark is used to market a product or service that is identical, similar, or related to the product or service for which
What is trademark infringement? Read More »
A trademark clearance search is a check to see if a particular brand name, logo, slogan or other source identifier is already being used as a trademark. It is typically conducted prior to applying to register a trademark, to ensure that time and expense are not wasted trying to register a mark that is confusingly
What is a trademark clearance search? Read More »
Possibly, but not necessarily. Using another company’s trademark as a brand identifier for a different kind of product or service is usually permissible because it is not likely to confuse consumers about the source of the product or service. Consumers generally do not assume that a business sells completely different kinds of products and services.
Using the same or a similar trademark for similar products or services may be likely to confuse consumers about the source of the products or services even if they are technically different kinds of products or services, so this kind of use may result in liability for trademark infringement. Likelihood of confusion may exist if
Making minor changes to an existing trademark, such as by altering the spelling, adding or removing a punctuation mark, putting a circle around it, etc. is not likely to remove or lessen potential consumer confusion about the source of a product or service. MICROWSOFT and MICRASOFT, for example, are not likely to be enforceable as
To be valid, a trademark must not only identify the source of a product or service, but it must distinguish it from those of competitors. Trademark rights cannot be enforced if the trademark is confusingly similar to another trademark that is being used to market the same, similar or related kinds of products or services.
What is the significance of likelihood of confusion in trademark law? Read More »
