[E-trademarks] Unity of control--celebrity allowing use of name on products

Mon Dec 2 22:32:22 UTC 2024

Makes sense, thanks!

Kevin Grierson

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From: E-trademarks <e-trademarks-bounces at oppedahl-lists.com> On Behalf Of Pamela Chestek via E-trademarks
Sent: Monday, December 2, 2024 5:29 PM
To: e-trademarks at oppedahl-lists.com
Cc: Pamela Chestek <pamela at chesteklegal.com>
Subject: Re: [E-trademarks] Unity of control--celebrity allowing use of name on products

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I don't know if it might help, but I have successfully invoked TMEP 1201.03(e) where a licensee had registered the trademark, with a geographic qualifier, before my client, the licensor, filed its application. We were able to overcome the refusal by stating that the prior registrant was a franchisee of the junior applicant. It's not quite the same but the theory might be the same, they are both under the control of the licensor.

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Pamela S. Chestek
Chestek Legal
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On 12/2/2024 2:09 PM, Kevin Grierson via E-trademarks wrote:
Got a refusal with an interesting twist.  Here’s the scenario: celebrity (let’s say Taylor Swift) gives permission to an entity to use her name for, say wine, that entity registers WINE BY TAYLOR SWIFT.  Then she gives permission to a different entity to use her name in connection with beer.  USPTO issues a refusal for BEER BY TAYLOR SWIFT based on prior wine registration.  Ownership issues aside, can you argue “unity of control” if Taylor is, in fact exercising quality control over both products even though they are manufactured by different entities?  The TMEP sections on unity of control don’t seem to address this issue.

Kevin Grierson<https://www.culhanemeadows.com/attorney/kevin-grierson/>

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