In February 2026, Taylor Swift once again demonstrated that intellectual property protection isn’t just for corporations, t’s central to personal brands, too. Swift’s company, TAS Rights Management LLC, filed an opposition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office seeking to block a bedding manufacturer’s attempt to register the trademark “Swift Home.” The dispute quickly made […]
Category: Trademarks
Ideas Don’t Create Value: Protectable Intellectual Property Does
Every founder starts in the same place: an idea. It might be a product concept, a brand name, a software workflow, or a design that feels genuinely new. And often, the first instinct is to guard that idea closely, not to share it, not to build too publicly, and not to move until it’s “protected.” […]
Trademark Fundamentals for the Entrepreneur
In today’s digital economy, a strong brand identity is one of an entrepreneur’s most valuable assets. Your business name, logo, or slogan is often the first thing customers notice, and it can make a lasting impression that builds loyalty, credibility, and competitive advantage. But strong branding isn’t just marketing: it’s also legal. Understanding trademarks and […]
The Battle of the Bunnies: Holiday Product Designs and Trade Dress
Some holiday products are instantly recognizable even without a logo, think a particular chocolate bunny, a signature ornament shape, or a distinctive holiday box. That “look” can be protected under trade dress and sometimes even as a shape trademark. In this third post, we’re talking about holiday product designs and one of the most famous […]
‘Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal’: Holiday Phrases, Slogans, and Trademarks
Tis the season for festive T-shirts, ugly sweaters, and mugs that shout things like “Merry & Bright” or “Let’s Get Lit.” But behind some of those playful phrases are very real trademark disputes. In the second post of our December series, we’re looking at holiday slogans, when they can be protected, when they can’t, and […]
Rudolph, the Grinch, and IP: Who Owns Our Favorite Holiday Characters?
Every December, familiar faces show up everywhere: Rudolph’s glowing nose, the Grinch’s sly grin, and that ever-watchful Elf on the Shelf. For most of us, they’re just part of the holiday magic. For brand owners and lawyers, they’re also valuable intellectual property. This post kicks off our December series on holiday trademarks, looking first at […]
Trademark Fundamentals for Entrepreneurs: Why Your Brand Needs Legal Protection
In today’s hyper-connected digital marketplace, your brand is more than just a name—it’s your identity. Entrepreneurs invest countless hours and resources into crafting a brand that resonates with their audience. A strong brand builds trust, fosters loyalty, and sets you apart from competitors. But as markets become saturated and new businesses launch daily, protecting that […]
TTAB for Dummies: A Beginner’s Guide to the Trademark Trial & Appeals Board
Navigating the world of trademarks can seem daunting, especially when it comes to protecting your brand or challenging someone else’s. One key player in this process is the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board (TTAB). If you’ve ever wondered what the TTAB is, what it does, or how to go about filing and participating in its […]
Trademark Law Stops at the Border: Ninth Circuit Enforces Abitron’s Limits
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently issued one of the first appellate decisions applying the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Abitron Austria GmbH v. Hetronic International, Inc. The July 15 decision in Doctor’s Best, Inc. v. Nature’s Way Products, LLC confirmed that the Lanham Act’s trademark infringement provisions “extend only to claims where the claimed […]
Trademark Law Case: Brunetti, the USPTO, and the F-Word
The intersection of trademark law and free speech is ever-evolving, and the Brunetti case is a prime example. As a top Dallas IP law firm, Griffith Barbee is following this case, which challenges the boundaries of what can be registered as a trademark. The First Brunetti Case: A Landmark in Trademark Law In the world […]