Jean-Michel Basquiat was a New York-based visual artist whose contributions to the neo-expressionism artistic movement led to his rise to fame in the 1980s. Although Basquiat passed away in 1988 at the age of 27, his vast body of work continues to be relevant and influential on modern-day art scenes. While the Basquiat name remains pertinent in art, its recognition apparently does not extend to all areas of commerce. A recent decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (“TTAB”) affirmed a refusal to register BASQUIAT as a mark for alcoholic beverages under Trademark Act Section 2(e)(4) because it was “primarily merely a surname” without sufficient acquired distinctiveness to warrant protection.
