In a pivotal decision, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has declined the Dogecoin Foundation, Inc.’s application to trademark a design of a gold circular medallion featuring the iconic Shiba Inu dog and the letter “D”. This decision, which could set a legal precedent, is seen as a reinforcement of the decentralized ethos of the cryptocurrency.
Dogecoin Foundation Gets Trademark Denied
The Dogecoin Foundation had sought to register the mark for a range of services, including educational conferences in blockchain technology and software development services. However, the USPTO denied the trademark application.
The USPTO’s refusal, detailed in an official letter, cites multiple grounds. The primary refusal is based on the assertion that the applied-for mark is “generic for the applicant’s services”. The USPTO states: “generic terms cannot be rescued by proof of distinctiveness or secondary meaning…
