Inter IKEA Systems B.V v. Akea, LLC

By definition, a trademark needs to display sufficient distinctiveness to identify the origin and ownership of the products and services. That means generic and descriptive words should be avoided at all costs. The landmark case in United States PTO v. Booking.com B.V, however, proves that a generic term combined with “.com” or another top-level domain can be registered as a trademark if there is sufficient evidence of consumer recognition.

Many celebrities, including Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and, most recently, Miley Cyrus, have been showing interest in the metaverse with their newly registered trademarks. Metaverse is said to offer a new way to bring music or products to people who cannot physically attend their stores or concerts or who simply prefer to enjoy them from the comfort of their homes. What is behind this trend and why do celebrities find it so appealing?

Skill, experience and attention to detail play an essential role in mitigating the potential risks that could impede a successful trademark registration. Given the non-refundable trademark application fees, relying on a trusted expert can provide applicants with an economic benefit in addition to the peace of mind.