Trademark

Latest Blog Post

Can You Trademark a Song Title?

Many musicians assume they can trademark a song title, but trademark law works differently than copyright law. While a single song title usually cannot be registered as a trademark, there are situations where a title can become legally protectable through branding, merchandise, or use across a series of creative works.

August 03, 2026

A person reading a book on Kindle, a mug of coffee next to them

Grumpy Cat is Really Not Happy About Grumpy Cat Coffee

Grumpy Cat, the permanently disgruntled-looking feline that gained Internet fame three years ago, is sharpening its claws in court.

January 05, 2016

Colorful confetti all around

‘Little Trees’ Air Fresheners Score Big Victory Over Competitor

The Exotica Fresheners Company will probably have to add “the smell of defeat” to its line of car air fresheners.

December 08, 2015

Music editing on a laptop

Meet The Slants: This Band’s Fight Over The Right to Trademark its Name Could Impact What Happens With The Washington Redskins

This past July, a Federal District Court affirmed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s cancellation of the Washington Redskins’s trademark for being disparaging toward Native Americans. The NFL team filed its appeal this month in a bid to get back its registration.

November 17, 2015

An H&M store

Memo from H&M to Forever 21: “Beach Please” Stop Copying Us

According to The Fashion Law, Swedish clothing retailer H&M is suing LA-based clothing retailer Forever 21 for copyright infringement, trade dress infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition, over the design of one of its canvas tote bags, which features the groan-inducing or very clever play on words “Beach Please” set against a line of palm trees and a colorful background.

November 03, 2015

People working, laptops visible

Google It With A Capital G

Google’s recent move to break off the parts of the company that are a bit more experimental in nature (like the ones trying to make sure that people never die) and house those parts under a new corporate umbrella called Alphabet has drawn quite a bit of commentary, much of it focusing on Google’s corporate strategy, brand value, or vision for its own future.

August 18, 2015

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