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TM Scholars' Roundtable: Session 2: Relevance of Ornamentality Elsewhere in Trademark Law

43(B)log

Does the ornamentality doctrine have doctrinal purchase elsewhere in trademark law? In the fair use calculus? In what ways is the ornamental nature of a defendant’s use relevant to defences based on artistic or expressive use (or some other defence)? But there is a defense for nondistinctive use.

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TM Scholars' Roundable: Session 1: The Relevance of Ornamentality in Trademark Law: Acquisition of Rights

43(B)log

Ornamental use may help to maintain rights even if core uses cease. Can it be used in different ways in TM as a thumb on the scale rather than a binary? 2d Cir in Descriptive fair use—how “pure” is the descriptive character of the use? Yet the company is aggressive against anyone using that term.