Are there any special rules for the protection of famous marks?
Yes, there are special rules for the protection of famous marks in Washington. These rules come from the state’s Unfair Competition Law. Under this law, famous marks are protected from unauthorized use by another person in the same field. This means that it is illegal for someone to advertise or sell goods and services using the famous mark of another person in the same field. For example, it would be illegal for someone in the shoe industry to use Nike’s famous swoosh symbol in their own advertising or products. Washington’s Unfair Competition Law also provides that a famous mark can be used to prevent a competitor from using similar marks that may be confusing to consumers. For example, if someone were to try and use a mark that is very similar to a famous mark, the owner of the famous mark may be able to stop them from using that mark. Finally, Washington’s Unfair Competition Law provides that a famous mark can be used to prevent false or misleading advertising. For example, if someone were to falsely advertise a product using a famous mark, the owner of the mark may be able to stop them from doing so. Overall, Washington’s Unfair Competition Law provides special protection for famous marks and helps to ensure that businesses can protect their assets and prevent unauthorized use.
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