All famous trademarks have two things in common: they are iconic and given more legal protections than other marks.
By Michael Kondoudis, Small Business Trademark Attorney
This is our COMPLETE guide to famous trademarks.
A trademark can become famous for several reasons. It may be catchy or memorable, like Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan. It may be associated with a popular product or service or be part of a successful advertising campaign that helps to spread its message more widely. Some trademarks become famous due to many years of use and extensive advertising.
If you want to know about famous trademarks, including what they are and how they become famous, then read on. This guide is for you.
What are Famous Trademarks?
Famous trademarks immediately connect a product or service with the source of that product or service. Examples of famous trademarks are GOOGLE, FORD, PEPSI, TACO BELL, and WALMART. Like all famous trademarks, these trademarks are widely recognized and instantly create an association with their respective brands.
Famous trademarks are iconic.
What is the Advantage of Being a Famous Trademark?
Famous trademarks are treated differently under the law than other marks. Famous trademarks receive enhanced legal protections from infringement and broader exclusive rights. So, a famous trademark enjoys a wider scope of protection and exclusivity of use.
Famous trademarks enjoy more protections because they are more likely to be recognized by the public. Their iconic status gives them a higher chance to be recognized and remembered, which is why the law treats them differently than other marks. These protections make famous trademarks more valuable.
Famous trademarks are entitled to extra legal protection under federal law.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) has made many legal determinations that marks are famous, including: (1) MOTOWN for audio recordings; (2) SONY for entertainment services; (3) JACK DANIELS for whiskey; (4) GOOGLE for search engine services; (5) JAWS for video recordings; (6) RED BULL for energy drinks; and (7) BOSE for audio equipment.
Examples of Famous Trademarks
Famous trademarks represent many of our favorite brands, from APPLE to STARBUCKS. The public immediately recognizes them due to their distinctiveness and renown.
Examples of famous trademarks include APPLE, BARBI, FORD, GOOGLE, LEVI’S, TACO BELL, NIKE, PEPSI, and WALMART.
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List of Famous Trademarks Examples
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is one of the most famous trademarks in the world. The company was founded in 1886, and its distinctive red and white logo has been used since 1887. The company sells over 1 billion bottles of Coca-Cola a day, and the brand is worth an estimated $74 billion.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is one of the most famous trademarks in the world. The company was founded in 1886, and its distinctive red and white logo has been used since 1887. The company sells over 1 billion bottles of Coca-Cola a day, and the brand is worth an estimated $74 billion.
Nike
Nike is a global leader in athletic apparel and footwear. The company was founded in 1964, and the Nike swoosh logo was introduced in 1971. Nike generates billions of dollars in revenue annually, and its products are worn by some of the world’s most famous athletes.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. The company was founded in 1940, and its golden arches logo was introduced in 1962. McDonald’s is the largest fast-food chain in the world, with over 36,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. The company was founded in 1940, and its golden arches logo was introduced in 1962. McDonald’s is the largest fast-food chain in the world, with over 36,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automaker that was founded in 1926. The three-pointed star logo has been used since 1909 and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of quality and luxury. Mercedes-Benz vehicles are renowned for their engineering excellence and are some of the most sought-after cars on the market.
Apple
Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over $1 trillion. The company was founded in 1976, and the iconic bitten apple logo was introduced in 1977. Apple makes some of the world’s most popular consumer electronics products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computer lineups.
Apple
Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a market capitalization of over $1 trillion. The company was founded in 1976, and the iconic bitten apple logo was introduced in 1977. Apple makes some of the world’s most popular consumer electronics products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computer lineups.
Rolex
Rolex is a Swiss luxury watchmaker that was founded in 1905. The company’s name is derived from its founders, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, and Rolex watches are widely regarded as some of the finest timepieces in the world. Rolex watches are known for their precision engineering and elegant design, and they are often given as gifts to mark special occasions such as graduations or retirements.
Barbie
Barbie is one of the most popular dolls in the world. The doll was first introduced by Mattel in 1959 and has since become a cultural icon. The Barbie logo is one of the most recognizable logos in the world and features a pink cursive script.
Barbie
Barbie is one of the most popular dolls in the world. The doll was first introduced by Mattel in 1959 and has since become a cultural icon. The Barbie logo is one of the most recognizable logos in the world and features a pink cursive script.
Starbucks
Starbucks is a coffeehouse chain that was founded in 1971. The company operates over 23,000 stores in 70 countries and employs over 191,000 people. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, and its green mermaid logo is one of the most recognizable logos in the world.
Porsche
Porsche is a German automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1931. The company produces sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. Porsche’s logo features a horse inside of a shield with antlers, which is meant to represent speed and power.
Porsche
Porsche is a German automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1931. The company produces sports cars, SUVs, and sedans. Porsche’s logo features a horse inside of a shield with antlers, which is meant to represent speed and power.
How Does a Trademark Get Famous?
Federal Courts have held that trademark fame often requires:
- a very distinct mark,
- federal trademark registration(s)
- enormous advertising investments
- a significant volume of sales
- a product of lasting value.
Time is often a key factor. Thus, new trademarks are generally not “famous.”
These factors imply that a mark has achieved widespread recognition that immediately connects products and services with their source.
Famous Trademark Cases
Washington Redskins
This NFL team recently lost its team name trademark after the USPTO ruled that the name was insensitive to Native Americans. As a result, the team can no longer sue those who create and sell counterfeit Redskins merchandise. The Redskins organization has appealed. Those considering a trademark should extensively research the history of the word or phrase to ensure they won’t need to change it later.
Marvel and DC Comics – SUPERHERO
Believe it or not, the word “superhero” is currently a trademark for both Marvel and DC Comics. They vigorously pursue other comic book publishers in court who dare to use the word on their title pages. Some see this campaign as trademark bullying from two comic book titans, but no one has made a real effort to contest their ownership of the word “superhero” as a trademark.
Tiffany & Co. vs. eBay
In 2008, Tiffany & Co sued eBay for allowing the sale of counterfeit Tiffany products on its website. Tiffany claimed that eBay was not doing enough to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods, damaging its reputation and confusing consumers. The case was eventually settled out of court, with eBay agreeing to pay Tiffany & Co $15 million
Tiffany & Co. vs. Costco
In 2013, Tiffany & Co. sued Costco for selling engagement rings that it claimed were falsely advertised as “Tiffany” rings. A jury found in favor of Tiffany & Co. and ordered Costco to pay $19 million in damages. Costco appealed the decision, but the appeals court upheld the verdict in 2015.
See How My Law Firm Can Help You Protect Your Trademark
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Office Actions – We can navigate the trademarking process at the USPTO.
Enforcement – Flex your trademark rights. Stop copycats.
Famous Trademark Infringement Cases
Famous trademark infringement cases include instances where one company sues another for use of a similar trademark without approval.
Nike vs. Reebok
In 2000, Nike sued Reebok for infringing its “swoosh” trademark. The case was settled out of court, with Reebok agreeing to pay Nike $10 million and stop using the “swoosh” logo on its products.
McDonald’s vs. Burger King
In 2011, McDonald’s sued Burger King for infringing on its “i’m lovin’ it” slogan. McDonald’s claimed that Burger King’s “Whopper Lovin'” campaign was too similar to its own and would confuse consumers. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Burger King agreeing to pay McDonald’s an undisclosed sum.
Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi
In 1999, Coca-Cola sued Pepsi for infringing on its “Share a Coke” campaign. Coca-Cola claimed that Pepsi’s “Be Young, Have Fun, Drink Pepsi” campaign was too similar to its own and would confuse consumers. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Pepsi agreeing to pay Coca-Cola $13 million.
Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi (redux)
In 2003, Coca-Cola sued Pepsi for infringing its “contour bottle” trademark. The case was settled out of court, with Pepsi agreeing to stop using the contour bottle design.
Louis Vuitton vs. Dooney & Bourke
In 2006, Louis Vuitton sued Dooney & Bourke for infringing on its “toile monogram” design. The case was settled out of court, with Dooney & Bourke agreeing to pay Louis Vuitton an undisclosed sum and stop using the monogram design.
Adidas vs. Skechers
In 2015, Adidas sued Skechers for infringing on its three-stripe trademark design. The case was settled out of court, with Skechers agreeing to pay Adidas $40 million and stop using the three-stripe design on its products.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts v. GoDaddy.Com Inc.
In 2010, the Academy Awards sued domain company GoDaddy for trademark infringement over the name “oscar.” The Academy attacked GoDaddy for allowing customers to buy domain names, such as 2011Oscars.com, that were “confusingly” similar to the Academy’s trademarks.
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For more than twenty years, Michael Kondoudis has been the go-to trademarking expert for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Michael is a USPTO-licensed trademark and patent attorney, educator, speaker, and author of the Amazon best-seller: Going From Business Owner to Brand Owner. He is also an authority trusted by national news media on major trademark stories.
Fun Facts: Michael is a member of the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and an actual rocket scientist (B.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics, Indiana University 1994).