Lanham Act
The Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1051 et seq., was enacted by Congress in 1946 based on the power granted to it by the Commerce Clause. It provides for a national system of trademark registration and protects the owner of a federally registered mark against the use of similar marks if such use is likely to result in consumer confusion, or if the dilution of a famous mark is likely to occur. The scope of the Lanham Act is independent of and concurrent with state common law.
Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
The federal statute that governs trademarks, service marks, and unfair competition. The Lanham Act covers matters that include the procedures for federally registering trademarks, when owners of trademarks may be entitled to federal judicial protection against infringement, and other guidelines and remedies for trademark owners.
Definition provided by Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary.
August 19, 2010, 5:18 pm
