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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

When designing a logo or brand graphic, you might assume there’s little risk of intellectual property (IP) infringement—after all, there are countless ways to create a visual design. However, infringement isn’t limited to words; visual elements can also violate IP laws. That’s why conducting a thorough search, ideally using the USPTO trademark database, is crucial […]

When it comes to intellectual property (IP) rights, many business owners assume that any overlap between brand names will lead to legal trouble. However, that’s not always the case. Under the right circumstances, two businesses can legally coexist—even if their names are similar. Understanding when IP infringement occurs is crucial, but just because two things […]