The owner of an incontestable U.S. trademark registration for “LETTUCE TURNIP THE BEET” previously sued Redbubble Inc., an online print-on-demand webstore, for trademark infringement based upon its use of this phrase on t-shirts, tote bags, and other related goods. The district court found in favor of Redbubble, ruling that consumers are not likely to purchase products and associate this phrase with a particular source; instead, consumers are likely to purchase goods with the “Lettuce Turnip the Beet” phrase because they find the phrase aesthetically pleasing. The owner of the “LETTUCE TURNIP THE BEET” trademark registration appealed, but on January 20, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the lower court’s ruling, finding that the mark was functional because it “improves the usefulness or appeal of the object it adorns.”
Monday, 25 January 2021 18:30
9th Circuit Court of Appeals Rules That Food Pun “Lettuce Turnip the Beet” on Clothing is Not Trademark Use
Written by Jonathan Woodard
Jonathan Woodard
Mr. Woodard represents clients in Intellectual Property Litigation. He also has International Law experience, having clerked for the General Counsel of the International Fund in Rome, Italy. Mr. Woodard obtained his law degree, cum laude, from Florida A&M College of Law, where he served as an editor on the law review. He earned his bachelor’s degree from King College as a recipient of a full academic/athletic scholarship as member of the varsity basketball team.