The Federal Circuit affirmed today the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s refusal to allow aspirin-maker Bayer to register "aspirina" as a trademark. The Board deemed aspirina merely descriptive of "analgesic goods" (can you say aspirin?) and therefore ineligible for registration. The court held that substantial evidence supported the conclusion. One judge dissented. In re Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, No. 2006-1279 (Fed. Cir. May 24, 2007).
Note: Hat tip to commenter John L. Welch for pointing out that the Board held "aspirina" descriptive but not generic. We’ve clarified the post accordingly. Thank you, John.
Barry Barnett
