Ron Coleman Ponders the TTAB's "HEEB" Decision

Ron Coleman, at his renowned Likelihood of Confusion blog, has posted his thoughts (here) on the TTAB's recent HEEB decision (TTABlogged here). The reader will recall that the Board affirmed a Section 2(a) disparagement refusal of the mark HEEB for clothing and entertainment services, noting that there are differing views on the question, but finding that a substantial composite of the Jewish community would view the term as disparaging.


In short, Mr. Coleman contrasts the PTO's willingness to register terms that were once considered derogatory in the sexual orientation realm, with the Office's approach "when it comes to trademarks for kikes, shvartsers and the rest of us."

Text Copyright John L. Welch 2009.