Technology startups, entrepreneurs and their cofounders, and new media companies looking to protect intellectual property protection in their business must always look ahead and be on the cutting edge of technology and innovation in marketing, software and social media industries.
In some cases, technology startups and tech entrepreneurs in Los Angeles and worldwide can compete with Fortune 500 companies in marketing, innovation, and intellectual property protection, and that is why major companies like NIKE are moving quickly to secure intellectual property rights in the virtual goods industry, in non-fungible tokens, NFTs, and video games before savvy entrepreneurs get a jump on their JUMPMAN® trademark among other brand names, logos and the famous JUST DO IT® slogan. CNBC reports this has been the promise of NFT’s from the beginning with the convergence of NFTs and household brands.
NFT protected NIKE Digital Closets
In October 2021 Nike, Inc. filed several new federal trademark applications for its famous NIKE trademark and logo that consists of a stylized curved line design with the word NIKE directly above it.
The Federal Trademark Application was filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 27, 2021 in three separate international classification: International Class 009 for Downloadable virtual goods, namely, computer programs featuring footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online and in online virtual worlds; International Class 035 for Retail store services featuring virtual goods, namely, footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online; on-line retail store services featuring virtual merchandise, namely, footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories; and in International Class 041 for Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line, non-downloadable virtual footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use in virtual environments.
In each classification, reference is made to the growing virtual goods industry is referenced indicating that the footwear giant based in Beaverton, Oregon fully is long on virtual goods and risks and opportunities the industry presents to technology startups, tech entrepreneurs, and legacy media such as franchises and household brands.
Trademark protection in the United States is complex and requires careful consideration of trademark conflict issues and classification strategy in the USPTO database. Trademark protection is strong and recognized nationwide in all US states and serves as an integral part of intellectual property protection strategy for technology companies and software or hardware startups. Whatsmore, with the growing popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and related virtual goods, U.S. Trademark Law and trademark protection strategy play an increasingly important role in the legal protection of non-fungible intellectual property assets, which are also protected by the blockchain. Technology startups in Los Angeles and nationwide looking for advice on the legal protection of non-fungible tokens and virtual goods should consult with an experienced media and technology attorney in Los Angeles before disclosing potentially patentable intellectual property assets.
