Trademark & Brand Protection Update | January 2026
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....
Battle of the PB&J: Smucker’s Is Crusty Over Trader Joe’s Private Label Sandwich
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,...
Litigation Update | August 2025
An Examiner’s Allowance Does Not Create an “Especially Weighty” Presumption of Written-Description Support Justin J. Gillett & Alex Martin del Campo MONDIS TECHNOLOGY LTD., HITACHI MAXELL, LTD., NKA MAXELL HOLDINGS, LTD., MAXELL,...
Sunkist Squeezes Out a Win and Kisses Kist Goodbye!
SUNKIST GROWERS, INC. v. INTRASTATE DISTRIBUTORS, INC. Before Prost, Taranto, and Stark. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: The TTAB incorrectly found that similar trademarks created distinct commercial...
FTC Cracks Down on Deceptive Marketing: Old Southern Brass Faces Consequences for False Claims on “Made in USA” and Military Association
The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on Florida-based EXOTOUSA LLC d/b/a Old Southern Brass and its owner (collectively, “OSB”) for deceptive claims regarding the origin of its products and its alleged financial donations to military causes. OSB advertised that its products, including glassware, mugs, pens, and other novelty items, were made entirely in the U.S. by displaying statements on its product listings such as “100% American made,” “made right here in the United States of America,” and “100% USA made.” OSB also purported to be veteran-operated and pledged to donate 10% of its sales to military charities. The FTC’s order, finalized in January 2024, found those claims inaccurate, halted the deceptive practices, and imposed a monetary judgment against OSB.
Knobbe Martens Team Authors “Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Law 2023” For ABA Business Law Today Section
Knobbe Martens attorneys Julia Hanson, Raina Patel, Nyja Prior, and Mengmeng Du co-authored the article “Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Law 2023” for the ABA’s Business Law Today section. Partner...
Knobbe Martens Team Authors “Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Law 2022” For ABA Business Law Today Section
Knobbe Martens attorneys Julia Hanson, Alistair McIntyre, Nyja Prior and Michelle Ziperstein co-authored the article “Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Law 2022” for the ABA’s Business Law Today section. Partner...
Intellectual Property Considerations for Designers & Artist
Knobbe Martens partners Jeff Van Hoosear (OC), Jason Jardine (SD) and associate Julia Hanson (SD) recently gave a presentation at Fashion Week San Diego on intellectual property for designers and...
Proving Reputational Injury Without Use of the Marks in the United States
MEENAXI ENTERPRISE, INC. v. THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Before Dyk, Reyna, and Stoll. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Summary: To maintain a statutory cause of action under the Lanham Act for activities solely conducted outside the United States, the claimant must provide concrete evidence of reputational injury or lost sales.
Knobbe Martens Welcomes New Class of Associates
Knobbe Martens announces its continued commitment to providing the highest quality legal services with the addition of 30 new Associates firmwide. “Our new associates have a wide range of talents...
