BIRKENSTOCK

What this record means

The record shows that the mark “BIRKENSTOCK” is dead and was abandoned after a decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The owner listed is Jeffrey Saul, an individual, and the mark was filed on May 1 2003 under an intent‑to‑use basis. The goods covered were furniture, specifically futons, mattresses, rockers, sofas and chairs, in class 020. Because the mark is no longer active, it does not give the owner control over every use of the word “Birkenstock.” The closest area of concern would be any new mark that covers similar furniture items, especially those that might be confused with the abandoned mark. The record shows no enforcement activity such as oppositions or cancellations beyond the abandonment. The last meaningful status event was the abandonment on January 4 2006. For someone thinking of a similar name, the abandoned status reduces the risk, but using the same name for furniture could still raise a concern because the goods overlap.