Yes, trademarks have families.
Our client HTC CORPORATION succeeded in an opposition filed against the trademark application HTC + GRAPHIC, using as a legal base its family of trademarks, which main distinctive feature is the expression “HTC”.
When the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce detects that within the comparison of two trademarks, there is a family of trademarks, the registrability exam must be more rigorous. Especially considering that, it is not only the commercial interests of the owner that must be protected, but also the interest of the consumers, who may understand that any sign that includes the main distinctive expression of such family belongs to the same owner or has the same commercial origin.
If you would like for us to implement protection strategies for your trademarks, contact us at our email: tum@tumnet.com