The Latest On The Buffalo Bills Trademark Case Over #Billsmafia

August 2, 2021

In April, 2021 when we last looked at this subject, the Buffalo Bills applications to register the trademark "Bills Mafia" in standard characters (SN 90248260) and in a stylized design (SN 90248264) were stymied by another pending application to register the mark "Billsmafia" filed by Karina Lopez (SN 90051257). Ms. Lopez's application, however, was refused registration by the attorney examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Ms. Lopez did not respond to that refusal. Her application has now been "abandoned" and the Bills' path to registration of the Bills Mafia trademarks has reopened. The Bills have not, however, addressed a number of minor issues raised by the USPTO examiner regarding the description of the goods on which the trademarks will be used and some other minor technical issues. The Bills' time to respond does not run out until September 20, 2021.

If the Bills, as expected, address the remaining issues in a timely manner, it seems quite likely that the process to register the two Bills Mafia trademarks will move to the next stage in the registration process, namely, "publication". Publication opens up a 30-day period within which anyone can file an opposition to one or both applications at the USPTO and attempt to demonstrate why registrations should not issue. In the meantime, with training camp underway, we will keep an eye out for any "Bills Mafia" merchandise that may be on display.

Click here to read my original post on this topic.

Les Greenbaum is an experienced attorney who focuses his practice in the areas of trademark, copyright, entertainment, art and sports law, unfair competition and related litigation. He can be reached at Gross Shuman P.C. by calling 716-854-4300 ext. 230 or lgreenbaum@gross-shuman.com.