What is an example of an abandoned trademark?
Asked by: Estrella Bartoletti | Last update: July 2, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (36 votes)
An abandoned trademark occurs when an owner stops using a mark for three or more consecutive years with no intent to resume use, or fails to file required maintenance documents. A notable example is Flipkart's application for "Flipkart Grocery," which was abandoned after failing to respond to a USPTO examination report.
What is an abandoned trademark?
Abandonment of a trademark occurs when the owner of the trademark deliberately ceases to use the trademark for three or more years, with no intention of using the trademark again in the future. When a trademark is abandoned, the trademark owner may no longer claim rights to the trademark.
What is abandoned status in TM?
Abandonment in trademark law in India means losing rights or status because of inaction, not using the mark or not following legal steps. Under the Act, abandonment isn't a loose idea but a specific result caused by certain actions or failures. It keeps the trademark registry active and clear of unused marks.
What are some 5 examples of trademarks?
Trademarks protect brand identity, including names, logos, slogans, and unique product features. Examples include word marks like Google and Coca-Cola, the Nike "Swoosh" logo, slogans such as "Just Do It," and distinct trade dress, including the shape of a Coca-Cola bottle or Tiffany & Co.'s blue box.
Did Taylor Swift trademark her name?
Yes, Taylor Swift has extensively trademarked her name, "Taylor Swift," along with her signature, initials, album titles, lyrics, and phrases, primarily through her company TAS Rights Management, LLC. She first applied to trademark her name in 2007, with registrations dating back to 2008 covering music, merchandise, and live performances.
What is the Difference Between an Abandoned Trademark and an Abandoned Trademark Application?
Is McDonald's R or Tm?
TM Symbol Copy
It means the McDonald's company logo is a registered trademark and protected under the law.
Is Coca-Cola a trademark?
Coca-Cola's first trademark was registered on January 31, 1893. The trademark was for the distinctive script logo of the name "Coca-Cola" written in Spencerian script, a style of penmanship popular in the United States at the time.
Is Jio a trademark?
The trademark “JIO” has been registered in the name of Reliance Industries Limited since 2013 across several classes and enjoys exclusive statutory protection under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Is McDonald's a trademark?
Yes, McDonald's is heavily trademarked. The company holds over 1,900 trademark registrations. The name "McDonald's," the golden arches logo, the red and yellow color scheme, and specific product names like "Big Mac" and "Happy Meal" are registered trademarks protected by law. These intellectual property assets are actively defended to maintain brand consistency.
Why do people abandon trademarks?
Nonuse: The Most Obvious Trigger
The most straightforward reason a trademark gets abandoned is simple: it's not being used. If you stopped selling, promoting, or labeling with the mark, and there's no current use in commerce, you're vulnerable.
Can I buy a trademark that has been abandoned?
How Long has it Been Abandoned? If the mark has been abandoned for three to five years, odds are, you're in the clear. That's the span that the USPTO requires trademarks to be maintained, meaning if the proper paperwork hasn't been filed, it's potentially up for grabs. The risk comes from the Lanham Act.
Which is better, TM or R?
When you see trademarks next to brand names or logos, you often see one of two trademark symbols, an R or a ™. Each letter represents the type of legal rights the mark is protected by. A mark followed by a TM (™) indicates a common law trademark, while R (®) represents the more formal registered trademark.
How to fix an abandoned trademark?
To revive a dead trademark in the United States, your options depend on how it died. If you missed a deadline, file a Petition to Revive at the USPTO within two to six months of the abandonment notice. If too much time has passed, your best path is to file a new application.
How to find abandoned trademarks?
Finding abandoned trademarks involves searching the USPTO database for "dead" or cancelled marks, then verifying non-use in commerce. Use the Trademark Search system to filter by status, and review TSDR (Trademark Status & Document Retrieval) for details on why a mark was abandoned.
What are the three types of trademarks?
Federal Mark, State Mark, and Common Law Mark
The U.S. recognizes three different legal forms of a mark. Federal marks are marks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). USPTO marks protect specific goods or services throughout the entire United States and its territories.
Is Nutella a trademark?
Yes, Nutella is a registered trademark owned by the Italian company Ferrero S.p.A., registered globally to protect the name, logo, and distinctive jar design. It is a well-known brand and acts as a "well-known trademark" in several jurisdictions, including India, to combat counterfeiting.
Who is richer, Jio or Airtel?
While Jio dominates in scale, Airtel leads in monetisation. In Q3 FY26, Airtel reported India revenue of approximately ₹39,226 crore, slightly ahead of Jio's ₹37,262 crore. This is notable because Airtel generates higher revenue despite having fewer subscribers. The key driver behind this is ARPU.
Is Amazon a trademark?
Generally, trademark laws exist to prevent customer confusion about the source of goods or services. Example: "Amazon" is a trademark we use for many of our goods and services.
Is KFC a trademark?
Yes, "KFC" is a registered trademark owned by KFC Corporation, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc.. It is protected for restaurant services, with several active registrations for the name "KFC," the phrase "Kentucky Fried Chicken," and the Colonel Sanders logo.
Is Apple a trademark?
Yes, Apple is a registered trademark. It is classified as an "arbitrary" trademark because it uses a common, everyday word (the fruit) for completely unrelated products and services, such as consumer electronics, software, and online services.
Is Starbucks a trademark?
Yes, Starbucks is heavily trademarked. The company holds numerous registered trademarks in the United States and globally for its name, its iconic circular green mermaid (siren) logo, and the names of its proprietary products like the Frappuccino.
Who owns 51% of Kylie Cosmetics?
Kylie Jenner, the youngest member of the famous family, sold 51% of Kylie Cosmetics, the company she started in 2015 with the launch of Kylie Lip Kits, to beauty giant Coty in a controversial deal valued at $1.2 billion in 2020.
Why is Stormi named Stormi?
Kylie Jenner named her daughter Stormi after searching for "earth-inspired" nature names and deciding on "Storm," which eventually evolved into Stormi. She felt the name suited her daughter from when she was in the womb and believed her daughter "picked her own name".
Who's richer, Kim or Kylie?
As of early 2026, Kim Kardashian is significantly richer than Kylie Jenner. Kim's net worth is estimated at around $1.7–$1.9 billion, driven by her shapewear brand SKIMS and other investments. Kylie Jenner is the second-richest in the family, with an estimated net worth of approximately $670–$710 million.