Home / Business and Economy / Judge Stops NOTUS 'Star' Rebrand Amid Trademark Dispute
Judge Stops NOTUS 'Star' Rebrand Amid Trademark Dispute
3 Jun
Summary
- A federal judge issued a restraining order against NOTUS' rebranding to 'The Star'.
- The Washington Star sued NOTUS for trademark infringement.
- A hearing on preliminary injunction is scheduled for July 22.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked NOTUS' planned rebranding to 'The Star' following a trademark complaint filed by The Washington Star. Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. granted a temporary restraining order on Tuesday, preventing NOTUS from launching or advertising its new name until a July 22 hearing.
The court found that The Washington Star is likely to succeed in its lawsuit. This is due to its ownership of the federally registered trademark 'Star' and its use of the name since 2023. The judge also cited potential consumer confusion, noting that some news outlets and social media posts interpreted the rebrand as a revival of the original Washington Star paper.
Evidence presented indicated that NOTUS had previously attempted to purchase the trademark, suggesting prior knowledge of The Washington Star's rights. The Washington Star's publisher welcomed the ruling, emphasizing their focus on reviving the institution. However, a NOTUS spokesperson argued that no single entity can own the word 'Star' due to its widespread historical use in media.
