DISQUS

VentureBeat: Union Square venture firm gets sued

  • Steve Poland · 2 years ago
    typo in last line -- not SF, but rather NYC.
  • Dave! · 2 years ago
    Not a typo... Union Square is also a landmark in SF. Marshall was noting that despite it being a SF landmark, no SF firms have used it in their monikers.
  • zeke · 2 years ago
    Isnt USV suing vs getting sued (see article hed)
  • James · 2 years ago
    It will be interesting to see how they fare in their lawsuit. For instance, in checking the USPTO trademark files, Union Square Ventures didn't even file to register their trade name until February 5, 2007 and most likely that was in response to preparing for this legal action. The point, is though, until they actually have a federally registered trademark how can they enforce a trademark they don't have? Secondly, even after they receive the trademark, assuming it is not invalidated or they abandon it, this other firm may continue to be allowed to operate since they started before this trademark was applied for and they could be grandfathered. And somehow, that's probably the way it would play out legally I imagine. But it also raises other questions -- if the Union Square Ventures brand is so important and sitting on such large cash piles and cash flows, why put off registering the trademark for a measly $325 fee (last time I checked) or get your attorney to do it for another $500 to $1000 or so in fees? A stitch in time, surely saves nine.

    - James

    Word Mark UNION SQUARE VENTURES
    Goods and Services IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S: private equity investment services; venture capital services, namely, providing financing to emerging and start-up companies. FIRST USE: 20040110. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20040110
    Standard Characters Claimed
    Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
    Serial Number 77099323
    Filing Date February 5, 2007
    Current Filing Basis 1A
    Original Filing Basis 1A
    Owner (APPLICANT) UNION SQUARE VENTURES, L.L.C. LTD LIAB CO DELAWARE 915 BROADWAY SUITE 1408 NEW YORK NEW YORK 10010
    Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
    Attorney of Record John L. Slafsky
    Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE VENTURES APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
    Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
    Register PRINCIPAL
    Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
  • Ken Berger · 1 year ago
    To add more confusion: anyone walking through Union Square in NYC might notice the logos on trash cans for "Union Square Partnership" (http://www.unionsquarenyc.org)