Конкурент использует ваш зарегистрированный trademark в США без разрешения?
Пошаговый гид по подготовке досудебной претензии (cease and desist letter) по trademark infringement.
Когда подавать претензию по trademark infringement
Типичные ситуации
Конкурент использует ваш registered trademark в commerce без permission.
Третья сторона продает counterfeit goods с вашим брендом.
Domain squatter зарегистрировал доменное имя, идентичное вашему trademark.
Marketplace (Amazon, eBay) продает infringing products под вашим брендом.
Вы обнаружили infringement через Google search, social media или customer complaints.
Что такое trademark infringement в США
Trademark infringement защищается Lanham Act (федеральный закон) и state law:
Lanham Act § 32(1) - Registered Trademark Infringement
Если ваш trademark зарегистрирован в USPTO, вы можете подать федеральный иск.
Требуется: (1) valid trademark registration, (2) defendant использует confusingly similar mark,
(3) use in commerce, (4) likelihood of confusion. Federal registration дает nationwide priority.
Lanham Act § 43(a) - Unregistered Trademark / Trade Dress
Даже без registration можно подать иск за false designation of origin или unfair competition.
Требуется доказать common law rights (prior use) и likelihood of confusion. Это сложнее,
но доступно если вы используете mark в commerce и она distinctive.
State Law - Trademark Dilution
Famous marks защищены от dilution (размывание) даже без likelihood of confusion.
Federal: Trademark Dilution Revision Act (15 U.S.C. § 1125(c)). Требуется famous mark +
blurring or tarnishment. State dilution laws варьируются - некоторые не требуют fame.
Counterfeiting (15 U.S.C. § 1114(1)(b))
Если defendant использует counterfeit mark (spurious copy of registered mark) - это criminal offense
+ civil liability. Statutory damages до $2 million per counterfeit mark per type of goods, плюс
criminal prosecution. Enforcement через US Customs и CBP (border seizure).
Когда отправлять cease and desist letter
Условие
Что проверить
Valid trademark rights
Federal registration (USPTO) или common law rights (prior use в commerce). Проверьте: registration status, class of goods/services, renewal dates
Actual use in commerce
Defendant должен использовать infringing mark "in commerce" (sale, advertising, distribution). Purely personal use не infringement
Likelihood of confusion
Consumers likely confused о source of goods/services. Factors: similarity of marks, similarity of goods, channels of trade, evidence of actual confusion
No laches or abandonment
Вы не waited unreasonably long после discovery? Продолжаете использовать mark? Laches может bar relief даже если no statute of limitations
Evidence of infringement
Скриншоты website/ads, purchase of infringing products, customer complaints, marketplace listings. Timestamp и preserve evidence
Important: Nominative fair use defense
Defendant может заявить fair use если использует ваш trademark для referencing вашего продукта
(например, "compatible with [YOUR BRAND]" или "repair services for [YOUR BRAND]"). Nominative fair use
defense требует: (1) product не readily identifiable without trademark, (2) only so much of mark used as necessary,
(3) no suggestion of sponsorship/endorsement. Это legitimate use - не всякое упоминание вашего trademark является infringement.
Нужна помощь с претензией по trademark?
Я готовлю cease and desist letters для trademark infringement disputes с учетом Lanham Act и state law.
Работаю на русском и английском. Фиксированная цена.
15 U.S.C. § 1114 - основной federal statute для registered trademarks:
Elements of § 32(1) Claim
(1) Plaintiff owns valid trademark registration on Principal Register,
(2) Defendant uses mark in commerce,
(3) Defendant's use likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deceive consumers,
(4) Without plaintiff's consent. Registration creates presumption of validity и nationwide priority.
Likelihood of Confusion Test
Courts применяют multi-factor test (varies by circuit): similarity of marks, similarity of goods/services,
strength of plaintiff's mark, evidence of actual confusion, channels of trade, degree of care by consumers,
defendant's intent. No need to prove actual confusion - likelihood достаточно.
Remedies под § 32
Injunctive relief (permanent и preliminary), plaintiff's damages (lost sales, diminished value),
defendant's profits (disgorgement), costs и attorney's fees (exceptional cases),
treble damages (willful infringement), destruction of infringing goods.
Lanham Act § 43(a) - Unregistered Marks
15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) - защита для unregistered trademarks и trade dress:
Claim Type
Requirements
Remedies
§ 43(a)(1)(A) False Designation
Common law rights в mark, use в commerce, likelihood of confusion
Injunction, damages, profits, costs (same as § 32)
§ 43(a)(1)(B) False Advertising
Misrepresentation в commercial advertising, material и likely to influence purchasing
Injunction, damages, corrective advertising
Trade Dress Infringement
Non-functional design, inherently distinctive или secondary meaning, likelihood of confusion
Injunction, damages (если trade dress registered, иначе только injunction)
Trademark Dilution (Famous Marks)
Trademark Dilution Revision Act (15 U.S.C. § 1125(c)) - для famous marks:
Dilution by Blurring
Association arising from similarity между marks undermines distinctiveness of famous mark.
Не требуется likelihood of confusion - достаточно blurring. Factors: degree of similarity,
inherent/acquired distinctiveness, extent of substantially exclusive use, degree of recognition.
Dilution by Tarnishment
Association arising from similarity harms reputation of famous mark. Типично: использование
famous mark в connection с inferior/unsavory products (например, luxury brand на cheap knockoffs
или pornography). Tarnishment проще доказать чем blurring.
Fame Requirement
Mark должна быть "widely recognized by general consuming public". High threshold -
regional fame insufficient для federal dilution claim. State dilution laws могут иметь lower threshold.
Counterfeiting vs. Infringement
Counterfeiting - это intentional use of spurious copy of registered mark. Statutory damages:
$1,000-$200,000 per counterfeit mark per type of goods (или $1-2 million if willful). Criminal penalties:
до 10 лет prison + fines. Для counterfeiting claims проще получить ex parte seizure order (TRO)
и border enforcement через CBP. Infringement - это broader category, включая confusingly similar marks.
Консультация по trademark enforcement
Разберу вашу ситуацию, оценю trademark rights, определю applicable claims и remedies, подготовлю cease and desist.
Стандартная претензия: (1) Your trademark rights - registration number, class, first use date,
(2) Defendant's infringing use - где, как, с какой даты, (3) Likelihood of confusion - почему consumers confused,
(4) Evidence - скриншоты, purchases, customer complaints, (5) Legal basis - Lanham Act sections,
(6) Demand - cease use, destroy inventory, transfer domain, (7) Deadline - обычно 10-14 дней,
(8) Consequences - injunction, damages, attorney's fees, statutory damages for counterfeiting.
Сниппеты для cease and desist (EN)
Opening - Trademark Infringement
I represent [YOUR COMPANY] ("[Company]"), owner of the trademark [YOUR TRADEMARK] (the "Mark"), in connection with your unauthorized use of the Mark.
The Mark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO Registration No. [REG NUMBER], registered [DATE]) for use in connection with [CLASS/GOODS/SERVICES]. [Company] has continuously used the Mark in commerce since [FIRST USE DATE].
Your use of the Mark (or a confusingly similar variation) constitutes trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114. This letter constitutes formal demand that you immediately cease all use of the Mark and any confusingly similar marks.
Замените [YOUR TRADEMARK], registration number, dates на ваши данные
Infringing Use Description + Evidence
You are using the Mark (or a confusingly similar mark) without authorization in connection with [DESCRIBE: sale of goods, provision of services, advertising, domain name]. Specifically:
• Your website [URL] prominently displays the Mark in connection with [GOODS/SERVICES];
• You are selling products bearing the Mark on [PLATFORM: Amazon, eBay, your own website];
• Your [advertising/social media/packaging] uses the Mark in a manner likely to cause consumer confusion regarding the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of your goods/services;
• You registered the domain name [DOMAIN] incorporating the Mark.
Evidence of your infringing use is attached as Exhibit A, including:
• Screenshots of [website/marketplace listings] dated [DATE];
• Purchase receipt for infringing product ordered from [SOURCE] on [DATE];
• Customer complaints reporting confusion between your products and [Company]'s products;
• Comparative images showing similarity between your mark and [Company]'s registered Mark.
Your use is likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception among consumers regarding the source or sponsorship of your goods/services. This likelihood of confusion is evidenced by [DESCRIBE: similarity of marks, similarity of goods/services, overlapping channels of trade, actual customer confusion].
Your conduct violates the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114(1)(a), which prohibits use of a registered trademark in commerce in connection with goods or services in a manner likely to cause confusion. The elements of trademark infringement are satisfied here:
(1) [Company] owns a valid trademark registration (USPTO Reg. No. [NUMBER]);
(2) You are using the Mark (or a confusingly similar mark) in commerce without authorization;
(3) Your use is likely to cause confusion among consumers as to the source, sponsorship, or affiliation of your goods/services;
(4) [Company] has not consented to your use.
[IF APPLICABLE - COUNTERFEITING:]
Your use constitutes counterfeiting under 15 U.S.C. § 1114(1)(b), as you are using a spurious copy of [Company]'s registered Mark. Counterfeiting carries enhanced statutory damages of $1,000 to $200,000 per counterfeit mark per type of goods sold (or $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 if willful), plus potential criminal liability.
[IF APPLICABLE - DILUTION:]
The Mark is a famous mark entitled to protection against dilution under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c). Your use dilutes the distinctive quality of the Mark by [blurring/tarnishment], harming [Company]'s reputation and goodwill.
Cite конкретные Lanham Act sections - это shows you're ready to litigate
Cease and Desist Demand
[Company] demands that you, no later than [DATE] at 5:00 p.m. [TIME ZONE]:
(a) Immediately cease and desist all use of the Mark and any confusingly similar marks in connection with any goods, services, advertising, or domain names;
(b) Remove all references to the Mark from your website(s), social media accounts, advertising materials, and marketplace listings;
(c) Destroy all inventory, packaging, labels, promotional materials, and other items bearing the Mark, and provide written confirmation of destruction;
(d) Transfer ownership of the domain name [DOMAIN] to [Company] (if applicable);
(e) Withdraw any pending trademark applications for marks confusingly similar to the Mark;
(f) Provide a written accounting of all sales of goods/services using the Mark, including gross revenues, units sold, and profit margins;
(g) Execute a written agreement to permanently refrain from using the Mark or any confusingly similar marks in the future.
If you are selling products on third-party marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, etc.), you must immediately cease all such sales and request removal of infringing listings.
10-14 дней стандартный deadline для trademark cease and desist
Consequences - Damages + Injunction
If you fail to comply with this demand, [Company] will immediately commence federal litigation seeking:
• Preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting further use of the Mark (15 U.S.C. § 1116);
• [Company]'s damages, including lost profits, damage to reputation and goodwill, and diminished value of the Mark;
• Disgorgement of your profits derived from infringing use (15 U.S.C. § 1117(a));
• Treble damages (up to three times actual damages) for willful infringement (15 U.S.C. § 1117(a));
[IF COUNTERFEITING:] • Statutory damages of $1,000 to $2,000,000 per counterfeit mark per type of goods, without need to prove actual damages (15 U.S.C. § 1117(c));
• Attorney's fees and costs (15 U.S.C. § 1117(a)) - awarded in exceptional cases, including willful infringement;
• Destruction of all infringing materials and products (15 U.S.C. § 1118);
[IF DOMAIN DISPUTE:] • Transfer or cancellation of infringing domain name under the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)).
[Company] also reserves the right to pursue additional claims under state law, including unfair competition, false advertising, and unjust enrichment.
This matter will be filed in [DISTRICT] Court for the [DISTRICT] District of [STATE], which has jurisdiction over trademark claims arising under federal law.
List all available remedies - это maximizes settlement pressure
Preservation + Good Faith Offer
You are hereby on notice to preserve all documents and electronically stored information related to your use of the Mark, including:
• All sales records, financial statements, and accounting records reflecting revenues and profits from goods/services using the Mark;
• All advertising materials, marketing campaigns, and promotional content featuring the Mark;
• All correspondence with customers, suppliers, and distributors regarding products/services using the Mark;
• Domain registration records, website analytics, and traffic data;
• All communications relating to adoption and use of the Mark.
Failure to preserve evidence may result in sanctions for spoliation under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(e).
[OPTIONAL - IF APPROPRIATE:]
[Company] is willing to discuss a reasonable transition period to allow you to rebrand and sell existing inventory, provided you immediately commit in writing to cease further production and agree to reasonable terms. If you believe you have a legitimate defense to this claim, [Company] is willing to engage in good faith discussions to resolve this matter without litigation. Please contact the undersigned by [DATE] to discuss resolution.
Good faith offer может facilitate settlement - но only если appropriate
Нужна адаптация шаблона под вашу ситуацию?
Я персонализирую cease and desist letter с учетом вашего trademark registration, evidence и applicable remedies.
Перед отправкой cease and desist убедитесь, что ваши trademark rights solid. Проверьте USPTO
registration status (Principal Register, not just filed application). Если mark unregistered - соберите
evidence of prior use и common law rights. Weak cease and desist может backfire: defendant может подать
declaratory judgment action заявляя non-infringement, что shifts burden на вас.
Trademark Rights Verification
Evidence of Infringement
Likelihood of Confusion Analysis
Legal Strategy
После отправки cease and desist
Сохраните proof of delivery. Отслеживайте deadline. Если defendant responds заявляя non-infringement -
evaluate их arguments carefully перед escalation. Если ignores letter - рассмотрите: (1) TRO/preliminary injunction
если urgent, (2) marketplace takedown notices (Amazon Brand Registry, eBay VeRO), (3) UDRP complaint для domain disputes,
(4) filing complaint в federal court. Не wait too long - laches может bar relief.
Помощь с подготовкой cease and desist
Я помогу verify trademark rights, собрать evidence, analyze likelihood of confusion и подготовить cease and desist letter.
Pending application не дает федеральных прав для Lanham Act § 32 claim. Но можете подать иск под
§ 43(a) (unregistered mark) если докажете common law rights: (1) prior use в commerce, (2) mark is distinctive
(inherently или acquired secondary meaning), (3) likelihood of confusion. Common law rights имеют geographic
limitations - защита только в areas где вы используете mark. Это сложнее и дороже litigate чем registered mark.
Best practice: wait for registration или expedite с USPTO.
Два типа fair use: (1) Descriptive fair use - использование mark для describe товара (например,
"apple-flavored candy"). Defense: term used descriptively, not as trademark, и in good faith. (2) Nominative fair use -
использование для reference вашего продукта ("compatible with iPhone"). Defense: (a) product not identifiable без mark,
(b) only necessary amount used, (c) no suggestion of sponsorship. Если defendant uses mark as his own trademark
(source identifier) - это не fair use. Анализ fact-intensive, требует review actual use в context.
Damages варьируются: (1) Plaintiff's actual damages (lost profits, diminished mark value) - требуется detailed proof.
(2) Defendant's profits - disgorgement всей прибыли от infringing use, burden на defendant показать deductible costs.
(3) Treble damages - до 3x actual damages if willful (discretionary). (4) Statutory damages для counterfeiting:
$1,000-$200,000 per counterfeit mark per type of goods, или $1-2M если willful. (5) Attorney's fees в exceptional cases.
Median verdict в trademark cases: $50k-$500k, но может быть multi-million если famous mark или extensive counterfeiting.
Timeline: TRO (temporary restraining order) - 1-2 недели if granted ex parte, или same day в emergency.
Preliminary injunction hearing - 2-4 недели после filing complaint. Permanent injunction - после trial
(12-24 месяца). Standard для preliminary injunction: (1) likelihood of success on merits, (2) irreparable harm
without injunction, (3) balance of hardships favors plaintiff, (4) public interest. В trademark cases irreparable harm
часто presumed если likelihood of confusion shown. Injunction может include: cease use, destroy inventory, recall products.
US trademark rights territorial - защита только в США. Но можете подать иск если defendant "uses mark in commerce"
affecting US: продажа в USA (даже если shipped from abroad), advertising targeting US consumers, domain name accessible
в USA. Personal jurisdiction требует minimum contacts с forum state. Enforcement challenges: service of process за рубежом
(Hague Convention), collecting judgment overseas, defendant may not have US assets. Альтернативы: border enforcement
(CBP seizure), marketplace takedowns (Amazon, eBay удалят infringing sellers), UDRP для domain disputes. Если defendant
significant overseas operation - consider foreign trademark registration и enforcement in their jurisdiction.
Не ignore letter - это может привести к default judgment если plaintiff подаст иск. Steps: (1) Verify их trademark
rights - USPTO search, проверьте registration validity, scope. (2) Analyze ваше use - есть ли likelihood of confusion?
Available defenses (fair use, prior use, genericness)? (3) Evaluate damages exposure - сколько потенциально придется платить?
(4) Consider settlement options - может быть cheaper rebrand чем litigate. (5) Respond в deadline или request extension.
(6) Consult trademark attorney - не пытайтесь handle самостоятельно если claim serious. Если у вас есть valid defense -
можете подать declaratory judgment action first для favorable venue.
Остались вопросы по trademark enforcement?
Разберу вашу ситуацию на консультации, объясню Lanham Act provisions и litigation strategy.
Я помогаю российским и международным компаниям защищать trademark rights в США.
Услуги:
Консультация (30 мин Zoom)
Разбор вашей ситуации, verification trademark rights, оценка likelihood of confusion, стратегия enforcement.
Объясняю Lanham Act basics, remedies, litigation timeline и costs.
Подготовка cease and desist letter
Полный текст на английском с учетом вашего trademark registration, evidence of infringement, likelihood of confusion analysis.
Включает legal basis, demand, consequences. Фиксированная цена.
Trademark Search и Clearance
Перед enforcement - проверка вашего trademark registration status и strength. Identification potential defenses
defendant может raise. Risk assessment для litigation.
Marketplace Enforcement
Помощь с takedown notices для Amazon (Brand Registry), eBay (VeRO), other platforms.
Drafting complaints, tracking removals, escalation если seller не complies.
Coordination с US litigation counsel
Если нужен TRO, preliminary injunction или full trademark litigation - помогу найти и координировать
с trademark attorney в applicable jurisdiction. Referrals к проверенным специалистам.
Почему обращаются ко мне
Работаю на русском и английском. Понимаю специфику cross-border trademark disputes Russia/CIS ↔ USA.
Объясняю Lanham Act concepts простым языком. Фокус на practical enforcement: cease and desist, marketplace takedowns,
cost-effective resolution. Помогаю evaluate когда litigate vs. when to settle. Фиксированная цена на cease and desist letter.