flopperbopper
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa
I have a business idea that involves printing up merchandise (key chains, etc.) for recognizable brands from other countries that are not registered on the uspto.gov/trademark site. I think there's an overlooked market for merchandise bearing a beloved logo from overseas that is unavailable on merchandise either in the country in question or in the US. The plan would be to start small and make these items through a 3rd party promotional products vendor and sell them in the US and perhaps internationally.
My concern is that the companies may be doing business here on a small scale (exporting a few items that are sold in specialty ethnic stores). For example, "Krino's Bulgarian Feta Cheese" is imported all over the US but their trademark is either not registered or dead. Could they come after me were I to print and sell small plates with their logo and name since it's a common law thing?
I want to get the legal question partially ironed out before I turn to the ethics of this (I have to sleep at night and don't want to steal anyone's IP). I'll be working this issue through from both sides and this thread pertains only to the legal issue.
And, yes, I'd talk to a trademark lawyer before spending any funds on getting anything like this off the ground.
I have a business idea that involves printing up merchandise (key chains, etc.) for recognizable brands from other countries that are not registered on the uspto.gov/trademark site. I think there's an overlooked market for merchandise bearing a beloved logo from overseas that is unavailable on merchandise either in the country in question or in the US. The plan would be to start small and make these items through a 3rd party promotional products vendor and sell them in the US and perhaps internationally.
My concern is that the companies may be doing business here on a small scale (exporting a few items that are sold in specialty ethnic stores). For example, "Krino's Bulgarian Feta Cheese" is imported all over the US but their trademark is either not registered or dead. Could they come after me were I to print and sell small plates with their logo and name since it's a common law thing?
I want to get the legal question partially ironed out before I turn to the ethics of this (I have to sleep at night and don't want to steal anyone's IP). I'll be working this issue through from both sides and this thread pertains only to the legal issue.
And, yes, I'd talk to a trademark lawyer before spending any funds on getting anything like this off the ground.