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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 […]

June 3, 2025

A Tale of Three Cats: Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red Faces Logo Controversy

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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 […]

May 20, 2025

From Yetis to Mammoths: How Trademark Law Shaped Utah’s Hockey Identity

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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 […]

May 12, 2025

Trade Dress Denied: What the MediSafe Ruling Teaches About Color-Based IP

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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. […]

May 5, 2025

Barc-ee’s Bows Out: A Lesson in Branding and Trademark Missteps

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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 […]

April 28, 2025

Trademark Enforcement or Trademark Monopoly? My Take on Monster Energy v. Monster Straw

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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 […]

April 18, 2025

Trademark Takedown: “Jane Wick” Bags Face Legal Opposition from the “John Wick” Franchise

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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 […]

April 11, 2025

“Eat, Drink, Play” or Infringe? Lessons from Dave & Buster’s Trademark Lawsuit

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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 […]

April 8, 2025

Clothing Trademarks: The Difference Between Ornamental Use and Trademark Use

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When launching a new brand, it’s easy to look to successful businesses for ideas. While drawing inspiration is common, mimicking a brand too closely can lead to legal trouble. A recent example highlights this risk: the ongoing trademark dispute between Texas-based rest stop chain Buc-ee’s and a small Missouri café known as Barc-ee’s. This case […]

April 4, 2025

Brand Inspiration or Infringement? The Buc-ee’s vs. Barc-ee’s Case

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Mariah Carey’s holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is a Christmas staple—but did you know it was at the center of a recent copyright lawsuit? The case involved the band Vince Vance & The Valiants, who claimed that Carey copied their 1989 song of the same name. However, the court ultimately ruled […]

March 28, 2025

Mariah Carey’s Christmas Copyright Battle: What Creators Can Learn

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