The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that the U.S. Trademark Office’s refusal to register “The Slants†as a trademark for an Oregon-based rock band was unconstitutional. This is a case the trademark attorneys at Panitch Schwarze have been watching closely, as this landmark decision could reshape U.S. trademark law significantly.
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Posts Tagged ‘Supreme Court’
Trademarks Update: Supreme Court to Decide Constitutionality of Disparagement Provision
October 20th, 2016
The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to answer a question that has plagued federal trademark law for decades: Does the government have the right to refuse to register trademarks which it has deemed “disparaging?†And, given that the First Amendment prohibits our government from restricting speech, does it make sense to have the U.S. Trademark Office approve or deny trademark registrations on grounds that may limit speech?
