New Era Cap, LLC v. Lamar Jackson — TTAB Blocks ERA 8 Trademark Application
The TTAB barred Lamar Jackson’s ERA 8 BY LAMAR JACKSON application based on claim preclusion and lack of use on the listed bag products.
PTAB, Trademark, Federal
Trademark, Federal
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Wilfong v. Starstruck Entertainment — Contradictory Social Posts Make Trademark Case Exceptional
A Tennessee federal court awarded $276,283.35 in Lanham Act fees after trial testimony denying confusing use of STARSTRUCK was contradicted by the plaintiff’s own social-media marketing.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Long-Lok v. Safety Socket — Functional Fastener-Mark Challenge Survives, Abandonment Theory Does Not
An Ohio federal court allowed a functionality challenge to a banded-knurl fastener mark to proceed but dismissed inadequately pleaded abandonment theories with leave to amend.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
BBK Tobacco v. Central Coast Agriculture — Weak RAW Trademark Case Brings $2.56 Million Fee Award
An Arizona federal court deemed a failed RAW-versus-Raw Garden trademark case exceptional and awarded the prevailing defendant roughly $2.56 million in attorneys’ fees.
Fourth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Gilead Sciences v. Meritain Health — Foreign-Market Drugs Can Infringe Despite Chemical Identity
The Fourth Circuit held that foreign-market Gilead drugs can be non-genuine under trademark law when their labeling and quality controls materially differ from authorized U.S. products.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Yangtze Memory Technologies v. Micron — National-Security Advocacy Is Not Commercial Advertising Under the Lanham Act
The District of Columbia dismissed YMTC’s false-advertising claims because advocacy publications criticizing its China ties were not commercial speech, even if a competitor allegedly funded them.
PTAB, Trademark, Federal
In re Serena Williams — SERENA VENTURES Conflicted With SERENA for Financial Services
The TTAB refused registration of SERENA VENTURES because it was likely to be confused with SERENA for overlapping financial and investment services.
Ninth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
VIP Products v. Jack Daniel’s — Bad Spaniels Parody Does Not Tarnish Famous Whiskey Marks
The Ninth Circuit held that Jack Daniel’s failed to prove its famous marks were likely to be tarnished by VIP’s Bad Spaniels dog-toy parody.
Eleventh Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Deltona Transformer v. NOCO — Keyword Bidding Alone Is Not Trademark Infringement
The Eleventh Circuit held that invisible competitive keyword bidding alone is not trademark infringement and ordered a new damages trial.
Ninth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Multiple Energy Technologies v. Casden — CEO Salary Is Not Disgorgeable Profit Under the Lanham Act
The Ninth Circuit vacated a multimillion-dollar false-advertising recovery because a CEO’s salary was not his profit, while preserving the exceptional-case attorney-fee award.
Copyright, Third Circuit, Trade Secret, Federal, Trademark, Federal
Warman v. Local Yokels Fudge — Fudge Recipe Verdict and IP Fee Awards Affirmed
The Third Circuit upheld a fudge-recipe trade-secret verdict and attorney-fee awards on unsuccessful trademark and copyright claims.
Third Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Jiaherb v. MTC Industries — Unproven Adulteration Defeats Lanham Act Claim
The Third Circuit held that Jiaherb failed to prove saw palmetto oil was adulterated, defeating its Lanham Act false-advertising and related contract claims.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Trump Organization v. John Doe Defendants — $14.6M Statutory Damages Against 73 Online Counterfeit Sellers
A Florida federal court adopts a magistrate’s recommendation and enters a $14.6 million statutory damages judgment against 73 online sellers of counterfeit Trump-branded merchandise under the Lanham Act’s counterfeiting provisions.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream LLC v. Rebel Creamery LLC — $23.8M Disgorgement Award for Copying Minimalist Packaging Trade Dress
Judge Komitee awards Van Leeuwen $23,785,000 in disgorgement of Rebel Creamery’s profits and issues a permanent packaging redesign injunction after finding that Rebel’s ice cream packaging infringed Van Leeuwen’s distinctive minimalist trade dress under the Lanham Act and New York law.
EU Courts, Trademark, Federal
OpenAI, Inc. v. EUIPO (T-555/25) — EU General Court Finds ‘OPENAI’ Descriptive of AI Services, Refuses EU Trademark Registration
The EU General Court ruled that ‘OPENAI’ cannot be registered as an EU trademark because it descriptively conveys ‘openly accessible artificial intelligence’ — a potentially far-reaching ruling for AI companies seeking trademark protection in Europe.
Tenth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
KetoNatural Pet Foods v. Hill’s Pet Nutrition — Tenth Circuit Revives Lanham Act Claims Over Alleged Grain-Free Dog Food Smear Campaign
The Tenth Circuit reversed dismissal of Lanham Act false advertising claims, holding that Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s website statements and veterinary education materials could constitute actionable commercial speech when they allegedly disparaged grain-free competitors—and that the “establishment claim doctrine” allows courts to probe whether cited science actually supports the marketing claims made.
Fourth Circuit, Trade Secret, Federal, Trademark, Federal
dmarcian, Inc. v. DMARC Advisor BV — Fourth Circuit Upholds Cross-Border IP Injunction Under Abitron’s Conduct Test
The Fourth Circuit affirmed a preliminary injunction against a Dutch software company’s use of an American company’s brand and trade secrets, holding that Abitron Austria’s conduct-focused test for the territorial reach of U.S. IP law is satisfied where the defendant directly targeted U.S. customers online.
Sixth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Nelson v. MillerKnoll — Sixth Circuit Rules Authorization Defeats Bubble Lamp Trademark Claims
The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for MillerKnoll, holding that the Nelson family authorized the company’s ownership of the iconic George Nelson Bubble Lamp trademarks through a 2006 royalty agreement — and in a precedential ruling, confirmed that authorization defeats unregistered trademark infringement claims under Lanham Act § 1125(a).
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Pearl Musical Instrument v. Hoshino Gakki — Court Tosses Trade Dress Claim Where Patent Proves Functionality
A Pennsylvania federal court dismissed Pearl’s trade dress claim for its marching band drum carrier design without prejudice, holding that Pearl’s own utility patent on the same design features provided strong evidence of functionality, defeating trade dress protection.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Trump Organization v. Schedule A Defendants — Magistrate Recommends $14.6M in Damages for MAGA Trademark Counterfeiting
A federal magistrate judge recommended $14.6 million in statutory damages against online retailers who sold counterfeit merchandise bearing TRUMP and MAGA trademarks after they defaulted by failing to respond to the lawsuit.
Other International (India), Trademark, Federal
ITC Limited v. Adyar Gate Hotels — Delhi High Court Denies Injunction Over Dakshin Trademark After Operating Agreement Expired
The Delhi High Court Division Bench dismissed ITC Limited’s bid to block a former hotel licensee from continuing to use the Dakshin restaurant trademark, finding that the licensee had built independent goodwill through decades of use and that ITC’s prolonged silence amounted to acquiescence.
Federal Circuit, Trademark, Federal
In re Marini y Compañía — Federal Circuit Affirms TTAB Refusal of ‘Mon Ami’ Dog Treat Marks Over Likelihood of Confusion with ‘AMÌ’
The Federal Circuit affirms the TTAB’s refusal to register four ‘Mon Ami’ dog-treat marks, finding the Board’s likelihood-of-confusion analysis under DuPont factor one is supported by substantial evidence.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Gilead v. Khaim — Magistrate Recommends $68 Million Judgment Against 26 HIV Drug Counterfeiters
A magistrate judge recommended a $68 million default judgment against 26 defendants who operated a large-scale scheme to flood the U.S. supply chain with counterfeit Biktarvy and Descovy HIV medications bearing Gilead’s registered trademarks.
Supreme Court, Trademark, Federal
RiseandShine Corp. v. PepsiCo — Supreme Court Will Decide If Trademark Strength Is a Jury Question
The Supreme Court granted certiorari to decide whether a trademark’s inherent or conceptual strength is a question of fact for juries or law for judges — a ruling that could reshape summary judgment practice in trademark infringement cases.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
emoji company GmbH v. Schedule A Defendants — Court Rejects Emoji Trademark TRO in SAD Scheme Enforcement
A Manhattan federal judge denies Emojico’s trademark TRO against Schedule A e-commerce defendants, finding the accused products — shower curtains, earbuds, karaoke machines — look nothing like Emojico’s stylized smiley-face marks.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Google v. Outsider Enterprise — Judge Blocks AI-Powered Chinese Phishing Ring From Using Google Gemini
A federal judge issued a TRO on June 26, 2026, blocking a China-based phishing-as-a-service network that weaponized Google Gemini to build fake banking and government websites, finding the ring ‘threatened the security of the internet’ and infringed Google’s Lanham Act trademarks.
PTAB, Trademark, Federal
In re Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices — TTAB Rules Blue-and-White Stripes Are Common Frozen-Treat Decor
The TTAB affirmed in part the USPTO’s refusal to register a blue-and-white stripe trade dress for frozen treat products, finding the design ornamental and commonly used in the industry, while reversing on some narrower grounds.
PTAB, Trademark, Federal
In re Wemby Corp. — TTAB Bars ‘Wemby’ Trademark for Athletic Apparel, Citing False Wembanyama Link
In a precedential ruling, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board affirmed the USPTO’s refusal to register ‘WEMBY’ for athletic apparel, finding the mark falsely suggests a connection with NBA star Victor Wembanyama and identifies him without his consent.
Eleventh Circuit, Trademark, Federal
U.S. All Star Federation v. Open Cheer — Eleventh Circuit Revives ‘The Cheerleading Worlds’ Trademark Suit
The Eleventh Circuit reversed summary judgment for a rival cheerleading event organizer, holding that genuine fact issues exist about whether USASF’s “THE CHEERLEADING WORLDS” and “WORLDS” marks are descriptive with acquired secondary meaning rather than generic.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
National Rifle Association v. NRA Foundation — D.D.C. Keeps Trademark Claims Alive as NRA Revokes Its Own Foundation’s License
A D.C. federal judge refused to dismiss the NRA’s trademark claims against its own charitable arm, ruling that the NRA’s cease-and-desist letter plausibly revoked the consent it had previously given the Foundation to use the NRA name and marks.
PTAB, Trademark, Federal
In re Wemby Corporation — TTAB Bars Trademark Registration of NBA Star Wembanyama’s Nickname for Athletic Apparel
The TTAB refused registration of WEMBY for athletic apparel, finding the mark falsely suggests a connection with NBA star Victor Wembanyama and identifies a living individual without written consent — applying In re Foster to consider post-filing evidence in the false suggestion analysis.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Total90 LLC v. Nike — Court Rejects Trademark Abandonment Claim, Denies Injunction Over “Total 90” Soccer Brand
A Louisiana federal judge denied Total90 LLC’s preliminary injunction bid against Nike, holding that a lapsed trademark registration does not constitute abandonment when the registrant continues active commercial use — a reminder that trademark rights flow from use, not paperwork.
Ninth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Monster Energy v. VPX/Bang Energy — Supreme Court Lets $272M Lanham Act False Advertising Verdict Stand
The Supreme Court declined to review VPX’s challenge to a $272 million Lanham Act false advertising verdict won by Monster Energy over Bang energy drinks’ “Super Creatine” claims, finalizing one of the largest false advertising verdicts in U.S. history.
Federal Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Game Plan, Inc. v. Uninterrupted IP, LLC — Supreme Court Declines to Review Common Law Trademark Priority Ruling
The Supreme Court declined to review the Federal Circuit’s ruling that an acquirer of common law trademark rights can cancel a later federal registration — even when those common law rights were acquired after the inter partes cancellation proceeding had already begun.
Fourth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Bacardi & Company Ltd. v. Squires — Fourth Circuit Upholds Cubaexport’s Havana Club Trademark Renewal
The Fourth Circuit affirmed that a retroactive OFAC license validated Cubaexport’s 2005 trademark renewal fee payment for the HAVANA CLUB mark, upholding the USPTO Director’s decision to accept the long-delayed renewal and dealing Bacardi another setback in the decadeslong rum trademark battle.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Watts v. Amazon Studios — Court Dismisses ‘The Love Zone’ Trademark Suit Over Amazon’s ‘Cross’ TV Series
A Southern District of New York judge dismissed a trademark infringement suit by New York radio host Maurice Watts against Amazon Studios over use of the name ‘The Love Zone’ in Amazon’s crime thriller series ‘Cross,’ finding no evidence that the fictional reference misled viewers about the source of the real radio show.
Seventh Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Grunt Style LLC v. TWD, LLC — Seventh Circuit Affirms $739K Trademark Award for Army Motto ‘This We’ll Defend’
The Seventh Circuit affirmed a $739,500 trademark judgment in favor of Grunt Style LLC, finding that Grunt Style’s use of the Army motto ‘This We’ll Defend’ since 2011 gave it common-law priority over TWD, LLC’s 2014 use and 2015 federal registration.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Ty Inc. v. Pop Mart — Court Blocks Chinese Collectible Maker From Selling ‘Pucky’ Figures That Infringe Beanie Baby Trademarks
A Northern District of Illinois judge granted Ty Inc.’s motion for a preliminary injunction blocking Pop Mart from selling its ‘Pucky’ collectible figurine line, finding that Pop Mart’s products likely infringe and dilute Ty’s famous Beanie Baby trademark and trade dress.
Eighth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Vaughn Boyd v. Deadwood Tobacco Co. — Eighth Circuit Enforces Forum Clause for Lanham Act Claims
The Eighth Circuit held that federal trademark claims under the Lanham Act fell within a forum selection clause requiring state court litigation, affirming that state courts have concurrent jurisdiction over Lanham Act suits.
Second Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Cesari S.R.L. v. Peju Province Winery — Second Circuit Limits B&B Hardware Issue Preclusion in Trademark Disputes
The Second Circuit vacated summary judgment for a California winery in an Italian competitor’s trademark suit, holding that a 2004 TTAB decision did not have preclusive effect under B&B Hardware because the TTAB had never considered the parties’ actual marketplace usage.
Other International (India), Trademark, Federal
Intas Pharmaceuticals v. Sun Pharma — Delhi High Court Vacates BEVETEX Trademark Injunction, Holds INN-Derived Prefixes Are in the Public Domain
India’s Delhi High Court Division Bench reversed a single-judge injunction against Intas Pharmaceuticals’ BEVATAS cancer drug, holding that the INN-derived prefix ‘BEV/BEVA’ is publici juris and that ten years of concurrent market use with no actual confusion disproved likelihood of confusion with Sun Pharma’s BEVETEX.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Netgear v. Choice Electronics — Court Denies Motion to Dismiss Counterclaims as Unnecessary, Holds Prior Ruling Remains in Effect
Case: NETGEAR, Inc. v. Choice Electronics Inc., No. 25-cv-02601-RS (N.D. Cal. June 5, 2026) Judge: Chief Judge Richard Seeborg Opinion:
Sixth Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Scotts Company v. Procter & Gamble — Sixth Circuit Rejects Trade Dress Claims Over Miracle-Gro Packaging
The Sixth Circuit affirmed denial of a preliminary injunction against P&G’s Spruce weed killer, holding that Scotts failed to prove its Miracle-Gro green-and-yellow trade dress was distinctive enough to support a likelihood of confusion.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Eli Lilly v. Alderwood Surgical Center — Court Rejects “Overbroad” Trademark Consent Decree Over Weight-Loss Drug Trademarks
A federal judge in the Western District of Washington denied a joint motion to enter a consent judgment and permanent injunction settling Eli Lilly’s trademark claims over its Mounjaro and Zepbound weight-loss drugs, finding the proposed decree and injunction “overbroad.”
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
International Olympic Committee v. Xiamen Olymate — Court Blocks Chinese Wellness Company from Using “OlyLife” Trademark
A California federal court granted a preliminary injunction barring Chinese wellness device maker Xiamen Olymate from using the “OlyLife” brand, finding the name creates a false connection to the Olympic Games in violation of the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.
International Trade Commission, Trademark, Federal
In re Certain Energy Drinks (337-TA-1502) — ITC Launches Gray Market Trademark Investigation Against 13 Importers at Monster Energy’s Request
The U.S. International Trade Commission has instituted a Section 337 investigation into gray market Monster Energy drinks imported by 13 respondents, alleging trademark infringement through the sale of products manufactured exclusively for foreign markets.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Washington Star v. NOTUS Media — Court Blocks News Outlet’s Rebrand to ‘The Star’ Over Trademark Confusion
A Virginia federal court granted a temporary restraining order blocking political news site NOTUS from rebranding as ‘The Star,’ finding the Washington Star newspaper demonstrated a likelihood of trademark confusion.
Supreme Court, Trademark, Federal
CareDx v. Natera — Supreme Court Declines to Resolve Whether Juries May Infer Consumer Deception from Deliberately False Advertising
The Supreme Court denied certiorari in CareDx v. Natera, leaving intact the Third Circuit’s ruling that proof of actual consumer deception is required to support Lanham Act damages even when advertising is deliberately and literally false.
District Courts, Trademark, Federal
Fisher Asset Management v. fisher-investments-europe.org — Court Shuts Down Cybersquatting Phishing Sites Targeting $387B Investment Firm
A federal court ordered two fake “Fisher Investments Europe” websites shut down and their domains transferred, finding cybersquatting liability under the ACPA and ruling that in rem domain actions require no showing of bad faith.
Seventh Circuit, Trademark, Federal
Kangol LLC v. Hangzhou Chuanyue Silk — Seventh Circuit Holds Email Service on Chinese Defendants Improper Under Hague Convention
The Seventh Circuit ruled that email service on Chinese defendants in Schedule A trademark counterfeiting cases is improper under the Hague Service Convention, but remanded for the district court to determine whether the Convention applies.