Posted by What is the Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit about?
The Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit is a trademark infringement case involving the company’s “DRY MICH” trademark. In 2016, Foundation Systems of Michigan filed a complaint with the National Arbitration Forum against Patrick McHale and McHale Construction, alleging that McHale had registered the domain name drymich.com without authorization and was using it to promote his competing business.
Who won the lawsuit?
In 2017, the National Arbitration Forum ruled in favor of Foundation Systems of Michigan, finding that McHale had infringed on the company’s trademark rights. The forum ordered McHale to transfer the drymich.com domain name to Foundation Systems of Michigan.
Is the Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit still ongoing?
No, the Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit is no longer ongoing. The National Arbitration Forum’s ruling was final and binding, and McHale was required to transfer the drymich.com domain name to Foundation Systems of Michigan.
What are the implications of the Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit?
The Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit is a reminder that businesses should take steps to protect their trademarks. By registering their trademarks with the USPTO and monitoring their use online, businesses can minimize the risk of trademark infringement.
Where can I find more information about the Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit?
You can find more information about the Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit on the National Arbitration Forum’s website: https://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1604289.htm
What are some tips for avoiding trademark infringement?
Here are some tips for avoiding trademark infringement:
- Conduct a trademark search before using a new trademark to make sure it is not already in use.
- Register your trademarks with the USPTO.
- Monitor the use of your trademarks online and take action against any unauthorized use.
- Be aware of your competitors’ trademarks and avoid using trademarks that are similar to theirs.
Conclusion
The Foundation Systems of Michigan lawsuit is a reminder that businesses should take steps to protect their trademarks. By registering their trademarks with the USPTO and monitoring their use online, businesses can minimize the risk of trademark infringement.
FAQs
Q: What is a trademark?
A: A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies the source of goods or services. Trademarks can be registered with the USPTO to protect them from unauthorized use.
Q: What is trademark infringement?
A: Trademark infringement occurs when someone uses a trademark without authorization from the trademark owner. Trademark infringement can harm the trademark owner by confusing consumers and diluting the value of the trademark.
Q: What are the penalties for trademark infringement?
A: The penalties for trademark infringement can include injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney’s fees.
Q: How can I avoid trademark infringement?
A: To avoid trademark infringement, you should conduct a trademark search before using a new trademark to make sure it is not already in use, register your trademarks with the USPTO, monitor the use of your trademarks online and take action against any unauthorized use, and be aware of your competitors’ trademarks and avoid using trademarks that are similar to theirs.
Q: What is the difference between a trademark and a copyright?
A: A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies the source of goods or services, while a copyright is a legal protection for original works of authorship, such as books, movies, and music.
Q: What is the difference between a trademark and a patent?
A: A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies the source of goods or services, while a patent is a legal protection for an invention.
References
- https://www.adrforum.com/domaindecisions/1604289.htm
- https://www.uspto.gov/
- https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/laws
- https://www.copyright.gov/title17/
- https://www.bitlaw.com/patent/index.html