Where We Couldn’t Celebrate Taco Tuesday

Now that Taco Bell can offer Taco Tuesday to its customers, we can ask about the extent of trademark protection.

A Marijuana Branding Problem

Soon to become big business, marijuana branding is helped by catchy names but restricted because of trademark constraints.

The Difference Between a Cheese Steak and a Designer Dress

Classified as intellectual property, a new cut of meat and a new dress design are viewed differently by patent and trademark laws.

Should the Word “Glass” Belong to Google?

Neither raisin bran nor shredded wheat are names that Kellogg’s can trademark. And yet Apple has trademarked “Apple.” Should Google be able to claim “glass?” Several days ago, the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office told Google that “Glass” was “merely…

What do Polish Pretzels, Parmesan Cheese, and Champagne Have in Common?

Polish pretzels sound delicious. Called “obwarzanek,” they are round, have a hole in the middle, are boiled, then baked, and can be sesame, poppy, salt or cheese. Although they resemble a bagel, there is one big difference. They have an…