In line with the constant surveillance of our client’s trademarks, we became aware of the application for registration of the sign AIR PANAMERICAN COLOMBIA S.A.S. + GRAPHIC requested by the company GDM BRANDS COLOMBIA S.A.S., which is confusingly similar with the trademarks PAN AM and PAN AM + GRAPHIC of our client PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS, INC.
Despite of the fact that the opposition was declared unfounded in first instance, on appeal the decision was revoked, and the basis to deny the registration was the existence of the trademarks PAN AM and PAN AM + GRAPHIC in USA, thanks to the fact that we invoked the Washington Convention as part of the arguments.
Additionally, the Office indicated that the expression PANAMERICAN of the requested mark and PAN AM evoke the idea of Pan-American, which may lead consumers to connect them.
In accordance with the foregoing, through the opposition filed, our client was able to maintain the defense of his intellectual property rights thanks to the fact that all the requirements demanded by the Inter-American Convention on Trademark and Commercial Protection of Washington were fully invoked and demonstrated.
At Triana, Uribe & Michelsen we are committed to quality work and teamwork with our clients, who are our allies, in order to understand their needs and protect their interests through a tailored service.
If you are an entrepreneur or a consolidated business owner and want to know how to obtain a more robust protection for your trademark portfolio, do not hesitate to contact us through the email [email protected] to evaluate the trademark situation of your company and your needs.