One of the greatest advantages to owning the rights to a particular trademark is that you can file a lawsuit for trademark infringement. All trademark infringement lawsuits ask one central question—Is it probable, under all of the circumstances, that consumers of the relevant goods will be confused?More specifically, the use of a trademark in connection with the sale of a good amounts to infringement if it is likely to cause consumer confusion as to the source of those goods or as to the sponsorship or approval of such goods.
In deciding whether consumers are likely to be confused, the courts will typically examine a number of factors, including:
- The strength of the mark
- The proximity of the goods
- The similarity of the marks
- Evidence of actual confusion
- The similarity of marketing channels used
- The degree of caution exercised by the typical purchaser
- The defendant’s intent
How We Can Help
Of course, this post provides only a broad overview of trademark infringement. If believe your trademark has been infringed, it is advisable to consult with an experienced intellectual property attorney.
At Sheldon Mak & Anderson, we recognize that innovation is your competitive edge – and it needs protection. As a full-service intellectual property firm with more than two decades of experience, we provide local, regional, national, and international legal services in the following areas: patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, IP litigation, international patent and trademark prosecution, licensing, alternative dispute resolution, and green technology.
Contact our knowledgeable intellectual property attorneys today TOLL FREE at 1-855-UR IDEAS (1-855-874-3327) to find out how we can provide powerful protection for your unique ideas.
