The name ALLERGY CARE was recently found to be a generic trademark and refused registration by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The applicant, James Haden M.D, sought registration of ALLERGY CARE on the Supplemental Register for “medical and healthcare services, namely medical treatment of allergies, asthma, immune disorders, and shortness of breath” in International Class 41. The Examining Attorney had initially refused registration on the Principal Register on the grounds that the mark was…

Leveraging your healthcare branding was the topic of a recent health marketing presentation in Nashville, Tennessee.  The speakers were Janell Moerer, SVP & CMO Centura Health; Kristen Wevers, SVP & CMO UC Health; Philip Guillano of Brand Active; and David Perry, Perry IQ. Here are some great observations from the panel: Why healthcare branding matters.   Healthcare providers are viewed by consumers and patients as commodities.  Therefore differentiation becomes key. What healthcare brands stand for and…

Hospital brand ambassador programs are growing popularity.   This was the subject of a compelling presentation by Kristen Bowser, Director of Communications and Kelly Kavanaugh, VP and Chief Strategy Officer of Dayton Children’s Hospital. The presentation covered the following areas:  how to implement a brand ambassador’s program  leverage a team of employees to implement and communicate significant changes impacting culture  sustain your brand ambassador program and measure its success The Challenge.  Brand has become of primary …

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a helpful guide for its employees on trademark clearance and protection.  It provides useful guidance to public sector healthcare concerns and well as private healthcare systems and providers. The HHS Guide discusses four important areas and benefits of trademark protection: What is a trademark.   A trademark (also known as a brand name) is any name, word, or symbol used in connection with the marketing…

A pharmaceutical company named after the Lupine flower was successful in a recent trademark opposition before the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Background.  In Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Ampel, LLC, the Applicant had filed for registration of the mark LuPPiN (in stylized characters) for education services and support groups pertaining to medical treatments for lupus in Classes 41 and 45.  Lupin Pharmaceuticals opposed the application, relying on its prior registrations of LUPIN…