Trademarks and Naming Your Startup: Facebook's Trademark Objections

If you look back at Facebook’s track record for protecting its trademark, some might say the social media giant goes overboard. As Dow Jones Business News (DJBN) recently reported, Facebook takes an aggressive approach against companies potentially infringing on its mark, and has raised more than 100 objections with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office so far. According to DJBN, Facebook objects to companies choosing names such as Designbook, Teachbook, Faceplay, and Facewerk, which use either “book” or “face” in their brand names. While the big guy going after the little guy may seem like bullying, Facebook and other big brands have a responsibility to police their brands. 

When it comes to brand management, would your business be more like Chick-fil-A® or Coca-Cola®? Read more about Trademark Litigation.

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In addition to Thriving Attorney, Darin M. Klemchuk is founder of Klemchuk LLP, a litigation, intellectual property, and transactional law firm located in Dallas, Texas.  He also co-founded Project K, a charity devoted to changing the world one random act of kindness at a time.  Click to read more about Darin Klemchuk's practice as an intellectual property lawyer.