Kevin Hartley, Author at Trust Tree Legal, P.C.

Articles by: Kevin Hartley

Dunkin’ Don’tnuts

by Kevin Hartley September 28, 2018

I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Just last week, my mother-in-law left a bag of pumpkin spice donuts at my house. The donuts didn’t survive the night. Unfortunately for donuts, they did not survive Dunkin’ Donuts’ recent rebrand either. Earlier this week, Dunkin’ Donuts made the announcement that [...]

“FitzMagic” Trademark may Result in Unwanted Communications

by Kevin Hartley September 19, 2018

As you may have noticed, around the Tree we love puppies, beards, football, and trademarks. This post is about all those things. Ryan Fitzpatrick is best known for two things, going to Harvard and his majestic beard. Also, from time-to-time, he plays like an elite quarterback. Filling in for the [...]

#Sacksonville, More Like #Oppositionsonville

by Kevin Hartley September 13, 2018

tl;dr – You should always file a trademark application with the USPTO sooner rather than later. Last week, we wrote about when and how to oppose a trademark application. This week, trademark oppositions are back in the news. And, wouldn't you know, it relates to football. In October 2017, the [...]

“O” is for Ohio State, Oklahoma, and (Trademark) Opposition

by Kevin Hartley September 7, 2018

Instead of writing about blocked punts and kicks to start the football season, we keep writing about blocked letter trademarks. Last week, it was South Carolina’s “Blocked C” logo, this week it is (the) Ohio State trying to block a trademark application filed by the University of Oklahoma because it [...]

University of South Carolina Adds Carolina Script Helmet Logo

by Kevin Hartley August 31, 2018

“It’s football time in Tennessee.” The famous words of Vol legend John Ward have been in my head all week. The “Voice of the Vols” passed away a few months ago, but he will be on the mind of every Tennessee fan all season. In the SEC, traditions fade slowly. [...]

Trademark Hell: Knockin’ on Heaven Hill’s Door

by Kevin Hartley August 22, 2018

As Trust Tree’s resident bourbon expert* (sorry Bill & G) and Guns N’ Roses fan, I must uncork a post about the trademark dispute between Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. and Heaven’s Door Spirits, LLC that recently spilled over into a federal lawsuit. Heaven’s Door is named after the famous song [...]

Trademark Money Moves: Cardi B and Offset to Trademark Daughter’s Name

by Kevin Hartley August 15, 2018

In July, Cardi B and Offset introduced their daughter Kulture Kiara Cephus to the world. In August, a company registered to Offset filed an application with the USPTO to register Kulture’s name as a trademark. The application seeks to protect the mark KULTURE KIARA CEPHUS for use related to clothing, [...]

The Hunger Games: Trademark Victors

by Kevin Hartley November 18, 2015

A million dollars isn’t cool, you know what’s cool? A billion dollars . . . and The Hunger Games film franchise has already grossed over $2 billion. That number is expected to increase dramatically after the final film premieres tomorrow. You know what else is cool? Trademarks! And The Hunger Games […]

Bolo You Didn’t: A Lawyer Says Goodbye to the Tie (Sort of)

by Kevin Hartley November 11, 2015

Earlier today, I got word that an event I am attending on Saturday is, in the words of JT and Jay Z, a “Suit & Tie” affair. I feel the same way about ties that Sir Richard Branson does. One of my favorite things about life in the Tree of […]

All Black Everything: New Zealand’s Powerful Rugby Brand

by Kevin Hartley November 4, 2015

The Music City Miracle. The Band is on the Field. The Miami-Duke Debacle. Americans love watching football players lateral the ball. Of course, that is the foundation of an entire sport. Rugby – the fastest growing sport in the world. And the biggest event in rugby – The Rugby World […]