Top Trademark News of Feb 2011 | Trademark Law Firms Blog

Here are the top 10 trademark news stories of February 2011:

1. Subway tries to trademark "Footlong." Casey's General Stores, an Iowa-based retailer, is working with a trademark law firm to fight against Subway's attempts to file registration for "Footlong." Casey's General Stores claims the term is generic.

2. Sarah and Bristol Palin attempt to trademark their names. Sarah and Bristol Palin are attempting to trademark their names for use in association with motivational speaking. Sarah Palin has filed for registration in International Class 041 for use in association with "Educational and entertainment services, namely, providing motivational speaking services in the field of politics, culture, business and values."

3. Ford sues Ferrari over naming of Formula 1 car. Ford has sued Ferrari in a Detroit federal district court over its adoption and use of the name "F-150" for its Formula 1 car.

4. Bing and Yahoo change policy concerning the use of trademark keywords in advertisements. Bing and Yahoo will change their policies concerning the use of trademark keywords in advertisements starting March 3. This change means that Bing and Yahoo will no longer police advertisements for trademark infringement and trademark owners must now police the marketplace on their own accord.

5. President Obama says modernizing USPTO is key to success. President Obama has committed to modernizing the technology used by the United States Patent and Trademark Office according to the New York Times. More than 1,000 examiners will be added over the next two years.

6. Two taverns fight over "Tavern on the" moniker. Tavern on the Plaza, a yet to be opened Indianapolis bar, is suing Tavern on the Green, a Manhattan-based bar that is now undergoing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Tavern on the Plaza filed suit in Indianapolis after receiving a trademark infringement threat letter from the Chapter 7 trustee in Tavern on the Green's bankruptcy.

7. Pittsburg Steelers wins trademark dispute over counterfeit t-shirts. The Pittsburg Steelers have won a trademark dispute over counterfeit t-shirts. A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that Nicholas Wohlfarthof Turtle Creek Sportswear has violated a 2005 consent judgment that barred him from selling counterfeit Steeler's merchandise. 

8. Google attempts to block documents that may show extent of consumer confusion. Google is attempted to block the release of documents in a Virgina federal appeals court. These documents, which arise out of a lawsuit filed by Rosetta Stone against Google for keyword advertising trademark infringement, are alleged to reveal the extent that consumers are confused by Google advertisements when they search for trademarked terms.

9. Phat Farm sues "Phag Farm" for trademark infringement. Hip hop clothing manufacturer Phat Farm has initiated trademark litigation against a Florida company that produces t-shirts bearing the term "Phag Farm." The suit seeks $7 million in damages.

10. Audio accessories company wins $2 million in statutory damages in trademark infringement lawsuit. Audio accessories company Odyssey Innovative Designs has won $2 million in statutory damages against Rack in the Cases Limited, a competitor in the audio market. Their trademark law firm alleged that Rack in the Cases Limited made knock-off copies of Odyssey products.