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Intellectual Property

Aug. 22, 2017

Lessons in rejection of will.i.am trademark expansion

Entertainer William Adams, aka will.i.am, of The Black Eyed Peas has marketed and sold goods using the phrase “I AM” in several markets. But he can’t register it as a trademark for sunglasses and jewelry, said the Federal Circuit.

Kenneth G. Parker

Partner
Haynes and Boone, LLP

Kenneth is based in the in the firm's Orange County and Palo Alto offices. He is chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation section. Mr. Parker specializes in trademark and patent litigation and has been named Trademark Law Lawyer of the Year for Orange County by Best Lawyers® in America 2018.

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Diana C. Obradovich

Diana is based in the in the Orange County office specializing in trademark litigation and prosecution.

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Lessons in rejection of will.i.am trademark expansion
Will.i.am during New York Fashion Week, Sept. 11, 2016. (New York Times News Service)

Entertainer William Adams, aka will.i.am, of The Black Eyed Peas has marketed and sold goods using the phrase “I AM” in several markets. But he can’t register it as a trademark for sunglasses and jewelry, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held on Aug. 8. The lynchpin of the panel’s decision was its agreement with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board that an amendment to the descriptions of goods for the mark was insufficient.

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