Warning

Info

Warning

Info

Warning

Info

LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

dilution

Read a random definition: dismissed with prejudice

A quick definition of dilution:

Dilution is when someone uses a name or symbol that is very similar to a famous brand, which confuses people and makes them think the famous brand is associated with something else. This can harm the reputation of the famous brand in two ways: by making it less unique (called "blurring") or by making it look bad (called "tarnishment"). In the United States, there is a law called the Federal Trademark Dilution Act that protects famous brands from dilution. If someone uses a name or symbol that is likely to cause dilution, the owner of the famous brand can ask them to stop, even if there is no actual confusion or harm. However, there are some exceptions, like if the name or symbol is used for news or commentary, or if it is used in a way that doesn't make money.

A more thorough explanation:

Dilution is a legal term that refers to the use of a trademark or trade name in a way that confuses or diminishes the public's perception of a famous mark. This can happen when a company uses a mark or trade name that is similar to a famous mark, causing consumers to be confused about the source of the product or service.

An example of dilution is when an appliance company puts white apple logos on their appliances, confusing consumers as to whether Apple began creating completely new items. This can harm the reputation of the Apple brand and diminish its distinctiveness.

Dilution can take two forms: blurring and tarnishment. Dilution by blurring occurs when the distinctiveness of a famous mark is impaired by association with another similar mark or trade name. Dilution by tarnishment occurs when the reputation of a famous mark is harmed through association with another similar mark or trade name.

Many countries around the world provide dilution protection in some form as a part of trademark law. In the United States, the Federal Trademark Dilution Act (FTDA) creates a federal cause of action to protect famous marks from unauthorized use. The owner of a famous mark is entitled to an injunction against another person who uses a mark or trade name in commerce that is likely to cause dilution of the famous mark regardless of the presence or absence of actual or likely confusion, of competition, or of actual economic injury.

To establish a claim of dilution, the mark must have become famous before use of the allegedly diluting mark or trade name began. Factors for determining whether a mark possesses the necessary degree of recognition include: the duration, extent, and geographic reach of advertising and publicity of the mark; the amount, volume, and geographic extent of sales of goods or services offered under the mark; and the extent of actual recognition of the mark.

Certain uses of famous marks, such as fair use, are not actionable as dilution. Fair use includes use of the mark other than as a designation of source for the goods or services in connection with: advertising or promotions that permit consumers to compare goods or services; and identifying and parodying, criticizing, or commenting on the owner of the mark or the goods or services connected with the mark. Also not actionable as dilution is use of a famous mark in any form of news commenting or news reporting, and any non-commercial use of the mark.

diligence | dilution (trademark)

Warning

Info

General

General chat about the legal profession.
main_chatroom
👍 Chat vibe: 0 👎
Help us make LSD better!
Tell us what's important to you
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
[] baddestbunny
4:29
let’s get after it boys and girls
Dkk
5:21
I gtg to bed soon.
Dkk
5:22
Big day today. Gunna be a crazy one. I will sleep through the first half.
good morning lsd it is 5 am EST
also jazzy my ndls address went long ages ago i sadly do not think it means anything
my stanford address also went long LOL i think at most it's an indicator it's under review
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:44
My berkeley paragraph finally disappeared. I definitely think it is just an indicator that they are actively reviewing files, and does not mean anything about A, WL, or Rs
WorthlessAttractiveZombie
7:46
Also has anyone's date disappeared for W&L? Mine did last night
7:55
@WorthlessAttractiveZombie: mine did yesterday morning
7:56
Oops sorry I meant Vilanova. Mine disappeared last week
soapy
8:48
UMN under review! As predicted, decisions are gonna come out early December
Minus those random R decisions from UMN yesterday though right? I wonder what happened there. I don’t think I’ve seen a school start the season out with anything but As on here
almost all of my apps have been UR for 6 weeks at this point I feel exhausted waiting for them to finish
Irvine is being snobby and wont start any review until end of Nov.
LSD+ is ad-free, with DMs, discounts, case briefs & more.