Image by NeOnBRAND (unsplash.com)
Social media service Instagram filed an opposition to Market Organization Inc.’s “Instagem” trademark. In Instagram’s opposition, they claimed that the name “Instagem” is too similar and would confuse consumers, leading consumers to believe that “Instagem” is a product of Instagram.
Market Organization Inc. sought to register “Instagem” for “video editing” in International Class 41. However, Instagram asserts that the class was also too similar to the services that Instagram offers.
Image by freestocks (unsplash.com)
Instagram has been using its trademark name in the U.S since its launch in 2010. Instagram owns a variety of trademark registrations for its brand and services. In addition to Instagram’s social networking website, other services include “providing use of online temporary non-downloadable software for enabling transmission of images and audiovisual and video content” (International Class 42) and “downloadable and non-downloadable computer software for modifying the appearance and enabling transmission of images, audio-visual and video content” (International Class 9). Instagram claims that Instagem’s services providing video editing software, as well as its name, are too similar, and in connection with Instagram’s brand, would damage its reputation.
Sources:
https://lawstreetmedia.com/tech/instagram-challenges-instagem-trademark/
https://www.kashishipr.com/blog/instagram-opposes-the-registration-of-instagem-trademark/
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