What is Trademark Infringement, and What Can My Business Do About It?

In order for your business to take advantage of the Federal rights and protections contained in the Lanham Act (the Federal trademark series of laws), you must first possess a registered trademark or servicemark.  If you have not already applied for a trademark or servicemark for your unique and valuable company name, company logo, product brand or service, you should consult a qualified business law and/or intellectual property attorney to discuss how you can protect your valuable assets.  This article will presume that a business has already received a certificate of registration of a trademark or servicemark from the United States Trademark and Patent Office.  What rights does this Certificate of Registration provide your business when you discover that a competitor or former employee (or ex-business partner) is now using your trademark? 

This blog article will focus strictly on trademark infringement, as this type of injury and civil claim is the starting point for any type of trademark dispute. (Future articles will discuss other claims and remedies concerning Cyber piracy and Unfair Competition).  

A claim for trademark infringement is rooted in 15 U.S.C. s. 1114, and declares use of a trademark without the consent of the owner to be unlawful.  Copying, counterfeiting, or imitating a registered mark in connection with the promotion / marketing, sale or distribution of goods and services, which is likely to cause confusion, a mistake, or deception to consumers qualifies as infringement. In other words, if a competing business is using a name logo to attract new customers that contains the same or very similar characteristics of your registered logo mark, you may have a claim for trademark infringement.  This is an oversimplified example, and each case is fact specific, therefore, only an intellectual property lawyer with litigation experience can determine whether your business is a victim of trademark infringement. 

If you learn that your registered trademark is being misused, then you may file a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.  You will be able to obtain an injunction that prohibits further use of your mark; and in more egregious cases, obtain the profits earned by the infringer by use of the mark, recover losses incurred by your business due to the infringement, and costs of action. Prior to filing a civil action it is customary for an attorney representing the trademark holder to serve a cease and desist letter on the infringer. This will put the infringer on notice of your mark and potential claim.  

If your business already possesses a registered trademark and you suspect that you are a casualty of trademark infringement, it is best that you contact Attorney Stefan Cencarik to determine your rights under Federal law.