Federal Circuit Affirms LeBron’s Priority in Marks I AM MORE THAN AN ATHLETE Based on Valid Assignment of Common Law Rights
Jonathan Menkes & Alexander G. Trimes
Game Plan, Inc. (“Game Plan”), a nonprofit organization that supports student‑athletes in underserved communities, appealed a decision of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) to the Federal Circuit (see Game Plan, Inc. v. Uninterrupted IP, LLC, 2025 USPQ2D 1451 (Fed. Cir. 2025)).
Navigating Consent Agreements: Lessons from In re Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla
Greg Phillips & Stella B. Haynes Kiehn
In October 2025, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“Board”) issued a precedential opinion that offers lessons on the limits of consent agreements in overcoming likelihood of confusion (section 2(d)) refusals.
Battle of the PB&J: Smucker’s Is Crusty Over Trader Joe’s Private Label Sandwich
Jonathan Hyman & Julia N. Hanson
If you have a kid, or play in the NFL, you are likely familiar with The J.M. Smucker Company UNCRUSTABLES® a pre-made PB&J sandwich. According to The New York Times, “NFL teams go through anywhere from 3,600 to 4,300 Uncrustables a week” or “at least 80,000 Uncrustables a year”.
Priyanka Menon and Greg Phillips Explore Hierarchy of Trade Dress Elements in IP & Technology Law Journal Article
Priyanka Menon & Greg Phillips
In their article “Visual Over Verbal: Hierarchy of Trade Dress Application Elements,” published in the Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal, Knobbe Martens lawyers Priyanka Menon and Greg Phillips discuss the importance of visual representations in trade dress applications.
Liars and Vishers and Scams, Oh My! How Brands Can Defend Against Trademark Fraud
Owners of federal trademark registrations have become a popular target for scams. They need to protect themselves from others who try to use information in the trademark registration for their own financial advantage.