Supreme Court ruling on 'Trump too small' trademark
The Supreme Court ruled against a liberal activist who tried to trademark the phrase 'Trump too small' due to the living-person exception in trademark law. The court upheld the decision that trademarks involving names of living individuals cannot be granted without their written consent.
Key Points
- Living individuals have limited rights to prevent their names from being branded without their permission
- Trademark law does not prevent the use of a living person's name, but only bars trademark for products
Pros
- Upholds the principle that trademarks involving names of living individuals require their written consent
- Maintains the 'living-individual rule' under the Lanham Act
Cons
- Limits the ability to trademark politically charged phrases without consent