What is the most common remedy for trademark infringement?

Asked by: Bonita Reynolds  |  Last update: February 20, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (68 votes)

The most common remedy for trademark infringement is injunctive relief, a court order forcing the infringer to immediately stop using the confusingly similar trademark to prevent future harm. While injunctions stop ongoing misuse, other remedies include monetary damages (like lost profits, infringer's profits, or reasonable royalties), destruction of infringing goods, and sometimes attorney's fees, especially for willful infringement.

What are the remedies for trademark infringement?

Remedies. The remedies for infringement under the Lanham Act are statutory and consist of: injunctive relief; an accounting for profits; damages, including the possibility of treble damages when appropriate; attorney's fees in "exceptional cases;" and costs.

What are the common law trademark remedies?

These remedies may include monetary damages such as disgorgement of the infringer's profits, statutory damages, and punitive damages. Common law trademark rights provide limited regional protections to one's business.

How to resolve trademark infringement?

A trademark owner who believes its mark is being infringed may file a civil action (i.e., lawsuit) in either state court or federal court for trademark infringement, depending on the circumstances. However, in most cases, trademark owners choose to sue for infringement in federal court.

How serious is trademark infringement?

If you are charged and convicted with criminal infringement of someone else's intellectual property through trademark or copyright infringement, you could face as much as ten years in prison, depending on the circumstances and the specific violation, and fines of up to $2 million.

REMEDIES FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT? | LAWYER EXPLAINS #injurylawyer

19 related questions found

What is the burden of proof for trademark infringement?

To prove trademark infringement, a trademark holder must show that a defendant's use of its trademark is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive.

Can someone steal my logo if it's not trademarked?

If your logo is registered with the USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), you have a strong legal foundation to stop others from using it. But even without registration, you may still have common law rights if you've been using the logo consistently in commerce.

How common are trademark lawsuits?

How Many Trademark Infringement Lawsuits Were Filed in 2020? In 2020, there were 11,941 trademark infringement lawsuits filed in the United States. This figure illustrates the significant number of disputes that reach the litigation stage, emphasizing the aggressive stance businesses take to protect their trademarks.

What are four defenses to a trademark infringement claim?

4 Defenses to Trademark Infringement

  • No Confusion. A common factor in the defenses against infringement requires showing that there is no possibility of confusion for consumers. ...
  • Mark Does Not Infringe. ...
  • Service/Product/Brand Differentiation. ...
  • Location Location Location.

What are the remedies for infringement?

4. What are the remedies for infringement?

  • damages (monetary compensation and surrender of profits);
  • injunction (a court order to stop the infringer from infringing your trade mark); and.
  • delivery up or disposal of infringing articles or removal of an infringing mark.

What are three legal remedies?

There are three main types of legal remedies: damages, equitable remedies, and restitution. Choosing the right legal remedy depends on various factors, including the nature of the breach and the desired outcome. Effective pursuit of legal remedies requires careful planning and documentation.

What is the penalty for trademark infringement?

Imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 6 months but which may extend to 3 years and with fine which shall not be less than Rs. 50,000/- but which may extend to Rs. 2,00,000/-. Enhanced penalty on second or subsequent conviction under Sections 103 or 104.

What is the test for trademark infringement?

The Lapp test is the standard used to determine whether a likelihood of confusion exists between two trademarks. Under the Lanham Act, liability for trademark infringement is based on a finding that the use of one trademark causes a likelihood of confusion with another previously established trademark.

What is the defense against trademark infringement?

Fair Use: The accused can claim "fair use" as a defense when accused of trademark infringement. This means they either had permission from the trademark owner or didn't intend to deceive customers.

How to sue for trademark infringement?

To support a trademark infringement claim in court, a plaintiff must prove that it owns a valid mark, that it has priority (its rights in the mark(s) are "senior" to the defendant's), and that the defendant's mark is likely to cause confusion in the minds of consumers about the source or sponsorship of the goods or ...

What are the damages for trademark infringement?

Trademark Damages

The Lanham Act sets out three methods of determining damages for a successful plaintiff: (1) disgorgement of the infringer's profits, (2) actual damages, and (3) costs of the action. Treble damages can be assessed when a defendant intentionally infringed the plaintiff's mark.

What is the preferred remedy in trademark infringement cases?

In the trademark context, injunctions protect the exclusivity of trademark rights because they typically order the infringer to stop using a trademark that it was not entitled to use. Injunctions are the preferred remedy in trademark cases because monetary damages can be speculative when trademark violations occur.

Can you lose a trademark if you don't defend it?

You Risk Losing Your Trademark Entirely

One of the most damaging outcomes of inaction is trademark abandonment. This happens when a court or agency decides that you didn't protect or use your mark properly. Once that happens, your legal ownership ends. There's also a risk of genericide.

How much can you sue for trademark infringement?

How Much Can You Sue for Trademark Infringement? The answer varies from case to case, but you can generally sue for actual damages, profits of the infringer, and statutory damages ranging from $1,000 to $200,000 per infringement.

What is the rule 47 of trademark rules?

Under Rule 47 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, the opponents can file evidence in reply to rebut or to deal with the evidence filed by the applicants under Rule 46 and if the opponents do not file its reply under Rule 47, the Registrar of Trade Marks may consider that the averments made and documents relied upon by the ...

Is a trademark lawyer worth it?

Yes, a trademark lawyer is generally worth it for most businesses because they prevent costly mistakes, navigate complex legal requirements, and offer long-term brand protection, significantly increasing the chance of a successful registration and reducing future legal risks, even though it costs more upfront than DIY. An attorney ensures proper search, application, and classification, safeguarding your brand's future expansion and value, which saves time and money compared to fixing errors later or facing infringement issues, according to law firms https://www.turnerpadget.com/why-you-need-an-attorney-to-register-your-trademark, https://www.gunn-lee.com/do-you-need-a-trademark-attorney-here-is-what-you-should-know,. 

How long does a trademark lawsuit take?

The duration can vary widely, often taking several months to years, depending on the complexity of the case.

What is the 3 month rule for copyright?

The "copyright 3 month rule" refers to a key deadline for U.S. copyright registration: you must register your work within three months of its first publication (or before infringement begins) to be eligible to claim statutory damages and attorney's fees in a copyright infringement lawsuit, which can be crucial for remedies beyond just an injunction. Failing to meet this deadline means you generally can only sue for actual damages (harder to prove) if infringement occurs, but registration is still vital for other benefits and to sue at all, notes Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and Cotman IP. 

What evidence is needed to prove theft?

To prove theft, prosecutors need to show beyond a reasonable doubt that someone knowingly and unlawfully took property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it, using evidence like surveillance video, witness testimony, possession of stolen goods, digital records (texts, emails, online activity), financial records, or an admission/confession. Physical evidence like fingerprints, tools used, or the stolen items themselves, plus circumstantial actions (hiding items, fleeing), also build a strong case. 

Can I put a Nike logo on a shirt for personal use?

Keep in mind that a trademark is different from copyright and offers protection to words, phrases, symbols, and designs that identify goods and services like Nike's “swoosh” or their slogan “Just Do It.” Using a trademarked logo without permission, even if it's for personal use, can also result in legal issues.