What is a trademark counterclaim? Is the best defense a strong offense? When it comes to TTAB oppositions and cancellations, it may make sense to consider filing a counterclaim against the plaintiff. Monetary relief is unavailable in TTAB proceedings. A potential TTAB counterclaim, therefore, will typically seek to cancel trademark registrations owned by the petitioner […]
Category: TTAB Trademark Opposition & Cancellation
How to Respond to a Notice of Opposition to Your Trademark Application
What is a Notice of Opposition to your trademark application? When your trademark application is approved by the USPTO, it will be published for opposition. During that time period, a third party might oppose the registration of your trademark by filing a notice of opposition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The opposition […]
TTAB Trademark Opposition: What You Should Know
Should you file a trademark opposition? A trademark application is close to the finish line. A few more days left in the publication period, and the mark will be on its way to registration. Should you file a Notice of Opposition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). What does a TTAB trademark opposition […]
How to Respond to a Trademark Opposition: Is a registration worth fighting for?
What can you do if your trademark application is opposed? It can be a bit disheartening to receive an opposition to your trademark application. After the USPTO had preliminarily approved your mark, a third party files a challenge you would rather avoid. You now need to make some tough decisions on whether and how to […]
How to choose a trademark opposition attorney
What factors matter in choosing a trademark opposition attorney? So your trademark application was approved and on track to a registration. Then it got derailed. Out of nowhere, a third party filed an opposition with the TTAB to block the registration of your mark. You now need to lawyer up or give up. If you […]
Can you suspend or extend trademark opposition deadlines?
What is the difference between a suspension and an extension of trademark opposition deadlines? Each trademark opposition will have deadlines set by the TTAB. When a party believes that an extension or suspension may be warranted given certain circumstances, a party may file a motion to extend or motion to suspend. If the nonmoving party […]
What is the delay defense (laches) in a TTAB trademark cancellation?
What is laches? Laches is a fancy legal term meaning delay. If there has been delay in filing a TTAB trademark cancellation, laches might be available as a defense against a plaintiff seeking to cancel a trademark registration. Keep in mind that laches in a trademark infringement lawsuit has a different standard than that in […]
What is a TTAB summary judgment motion?
What is a TTAB summary judgment motion? A TTAB summary judgment motion is a pretrial filing made to request an earlier decision in a trademark opposition or cancellation proceeding before the USPTO. Such a motion is called dispositive since it can potentially dispose of the case. Due to its dispositive nature, summary judgment motions are […]
What is trademark monitoring?
What is a trademark monitoring service? A trademark monitoring service can notify you of trademark applications by third parties that may be similar to your trademarks. There are a variety of trademark monitoring services that range from US to worldwide, and from federal filings to federal and state. When do you need a trademark monitoring […]
How many TTAB cases reach final decisions?
How many TTAB oppositions and cancellations reach final decisions? At the outset, let me clarify that this post contains rough estimates of final decisions in adversarial TTAB oppositions and cancellations which are merely approximations, and not based on any solid statistical disciplines. I’m simply comparing the number of final judgments made in 2019 to the […]