Decade of Distinctiveness
By From the way they are typically discussed in news stories, a casual observer could perhaps be forgiven for concluding that trademarks are primarily about confusion. In North Carolina – the only state that recognizes Trademark Law as a separate, board-certified specialty – we are not casual observers.As a result, we recognize that trademarks (and federal trademark registrations) might more properly be characterized by distinctiveness, by the ability to set one’s goods and services apart from others’. In an effort to accentuate this positive aspect of Trademark Law, here’s a look back at ten years of memorable trademarks registered at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
2010: “configuration of a green bottle featuring a representation of a Buddha figure with a red bottle cap” added to the Principal Register in 2010 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of beer
2011: “a configuration of a bottle in the shape of a skull” added to the Principal Register in 2011 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of vodka
2012: “a configuration of a ukulele having a tapered, generally triangular-shaped body with a flat base, and an open headstock” added to the Principal Register in 2012 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of ukuleles
2013: “configuration of an automobile displaying a three-dimensional chicken bust and tail” added to the Principal Register in 2013 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of limousine services
2014: “configuration of a rocket with a narrow body and four fins at the bottom of the rocket” added to the Principal Register in 2014 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of providing recognition and incentives by way of awards to demonstrate excellence in the field of Science Fiction and Fantasy
2015: “configuration of a cleaning sponge having the appearance of a round smiling face with ridges formed at the top to resemble hair” added to the Principal Register in 2015 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of cleaning sponges
2016: “configuration comprising the uniform of a serviceman. The uniform features a t-shirt and a kilt of a traditional length from just below the navel to the mid-kneecap. The uniform includes a belt and buckle, socks just below the knee, and boots” added to the Principal Register in 2016 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of provision of a full range of cleaning and maintenance services for commercial and residential premises of all kinds, namely, floors, walls, ceilings, doorways, windows; pressure washing of pavements, driveways, entranceways, parking and unloading areas and all adjacent areas
2017:
“configuration of a frock-like sleeveless dress worn during entertainment performances which is covered in a repeating pattern of red donut-like concentric circles on a blue background wherein each circle is equidistant from the other” added to the Principal Register in 2017 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of entertainment services in the nature of live musical performances
2018: “configuration of a bottle cap for the goods, namely, a bottle cap in the style of a chullo hat having a tassel on the top and two ear flaps, each ear flap having a tie and tassel” added to the Principal Register in 2018 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of hot sauce
2019: “configuration of packaging for the goods consisting of a bottle in the shape of Buddha’s head resting on a lotus flower” added to the Principal Register in 2019 as identifying, distinguishing, and indicating the source of alcoholic beverages, except beer
