Booking.com is drawing support in a fight over its name from companies including Home Depot and Salesforce, which argue that the online hotel reservation company is entitled to trademark protection.
The battle hinges on whether the Booking.com can obtain a trademark for a generic word βbookingβ followed by β.com.β
The U.S. Patent and Trade Office refused to grant the company a trademark, arguing that generic terms followed by β.comβ aren't trademarkable. Booking.com sued over the decision, arguing that it is entitled to a trademark because consumers recognize its name as a brand.
A trial judge and appellate court sided with Booking.com. The Patent and Trade Office is now appealing those rulings to the Supreme Court.
Among other arguments, the agency says that awarding a trademark to a generic word plus β.comβ would harm competition by allowing companies βto monopolize language.β
Booking.com countered in papers filed earlier this month that it needs a trademark to prevent other companies from duping consumers by using its name.
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The battle hinges on whether the Booking.com can obtain a trademark for a generic word βbookingβ followed by β.com.β
The U.S. Patent and Trade Office refused to grant the company a trademark, arguing that generic terms followed by β.comβ aren't trademarkable. Booking.com sued over the decision, arguing that it is entitled to a trademark because consumers recognize its name as a brand.
A trial judge and appellate court sided with Booking.com. The Patent and Trade Office is now appealing those rulings to the Supreme Court.
Among other arguments, the agency says that awarding a trademark to a generic word plus β.comβ would harm competition by allowing companies βto monopolize language.β
Booking.com countered in papers filed earlier this month that it needs a trademark to prevent other companies from duping consumers by using its name.
read more (media post) related NP post