For universities, having a distinct and recognizable logo is integral to the development of their identities. To attract prospective students, dedicated sports fans, and potential investors, the logo should be immediately recognizable and subconsciously associated with the university. For Baylor University, the use of an interlocked “BU” has become a staple of school imagery, featured […]

When you walk through the snack aisle at the supermarket, chances are you can spot an Oreo or a bag of Chips Ahoy from several feet away. Their distinctive blue packaging, bold lettering, and enticing cookie images aren’t just clever design, they’re protected under a legal concept called trade dress. This often-overlooked form of intellectual […]

Tiger Woods’ newly launched golf apparel brand, Sun Day Red, has drawn attention not just for its sleek designs, but for its logo. Two companies, Puma and Tigeraire, have accused the brand of trademark infringement, claiming that the Sun Day Red logo is too similar to their own feline-inspired imagery. The dispute centers on each […]

If you’re a hockey fan or someone who follows sports branding trends, you may have heard about the Utah Hockey Club’s year-long name contest. Following the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City, the team temporarily adopted the name “Utah Hockey Club” while inviting fans to help select a permanent identity. After rounds […]

Most business owners are familiar with the three main types of intellectual property—copyrights, trademarks, and patents—but many are unaware of a lesser-known protection known as trade dress. Trade dress applies to visual elements of a product that indicate its origin, such as color, shape, or packaging. When used correctly, it can be just as powerful […]

In the latest update on the Buc-ee’s v. Barc-ee’s trademark dispute, the small Missouri-based business Barc-ee’s has announced its closure. While electrical and infrastructure issues were cited as contributing factors, it’s clear that the lawsuit filed by Buc-ee’s, the well-known Texas rest stop chain, played a major role in the business’s decision to shut down. […]

Are drinking straws and energy drinks similar enough to cause customer confusion if they share a brand name? A recent court decision ruled in favor of Monster Energy’s opposition to the registration of a trademark for “Monster Straw,” citing a likelihood of confusion due to market overlap and a shared customer base. While it is […]

If you are a fan of action films and brooding protagonists, you’ve likely encountered the John Wick movie franchise, known for its constant action and highly stylized fight choreography. But what you might not realize is that “John Wick” is more than just a character—it’s also a trademarked brand owned by Summit Entertainment. Beyond the […]

When launching a new brand, it’s easy to assume that a short, catchy phrase like “Eat Drink Play” is too generic to cause legal problems. But as a recent trademark lawsuit shows, even seemingly simple phrases can carry major legal weight—especially when they’ve been in use for decades. In a developing case, Dave & Buster’s […]

Many new entrepreneurs make their first mark in the clothing industry—often with a clever name or catchy slogan they want to plaster on t-shirts, hats, or hoodies. Naturally, they want to protect that brand with a trademark. But here’s where it gets tricky: just because your phrase is on a shirt doesn’t automatically mean it […]