Trump’s trademark application for Truth Social is rejected as a pile-up of failures
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) earlier this month rejected Donald Trump’s application to trademark “Truth Social”, the name of his social media company. A trademark attorney in Washington filed Thursday.
why it matters: The trademark denial is just the latest blow to the former president’s social media app and its parent company, which has been beset by a raft of issues over the past few months.
What is happening: The USPTO found two other companies that already use Truth Social Wording, which Trump also referred to as “the potential for confusion” when he got the mark.
- Typically, when a company files for a trademark—the specific brand-name it specifically wants to use—lawyers check the wording to make sure there are no conflicts.
- “Ideally, you’d pick a name where that wasn’t going to happen,” said Josh Gerben, a trademark attorney in Washington, D.C., who ,
- But sometimes if a client really wants a name, the company will go ahead despite what the lawyers say.
it’s not spelling the ending for trademark. Trump can appeal, which trademark lawyers believe is likely. Early denials are not uncommon and there are steps the company can take to address this hurdle. Axios reached out to Truth Social for comment and has yet to hear back.
big picture: Truth Social and SPAC trying to take their parent company public has faced huge legal and technical challenges ever since the app was announced last October.
- Last week, Digital World Acquisition Group (DWAC), the blank check company that plans to merge with parent company Truth Social to take it public, delayed its earnings report.
- A week ago, it had asked shareholders to approve an extension of its merger agreement by one year.
- The Truth Social app missed its launch deadline, putting thousands of users on waiting lists for weeks.
- The SPAC is under investigation by the SEC for possibly negotiating its deal before the DWAC became public, which, if true, is illegal.
- Last year, an investor sued the CEO of SPAC, alleging fraud.
- There is confusion about whether some of the board members are still on the board or not.
