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Trademark debate over doctrine of foreign equivalents heats up in US

By Melissa Ritti ( December 16, 2025, 22:50 GMT | Comment) -- At their first conference of the new year the US Supreme Court will consider a Swiss apparel maker's bid to reinstate its application to trademark "vetements" — the French word for clothing. A more recent Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruling shows why some say the justice’s views on the doctrine of foreign equivalents are needed.A finding by the US Patent and Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board that “MERCI” and “DANKE” are dissimilar in sound, appearance and commercial impression is, on its own, unlikely to make waves....

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