Juneteenth Trademark: Celebration or Commodification? A Look at Juneteenth Trademarks
Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. This is a positive development, reflecting a growing awareness of this important chapter in American history. However, alongside the celebrations, there’s a concerning trend: the rise of trademarks associated with Juneteenth.
Here at EsquireTrademarks.com – trademark attorney, we believe in honoring Juneteenth’s historical significance while fostering inclusive celebrations. That’s why we’re diving into the issue of trademarks and Juneteenth.
Juneteenth Trademarks: A Numbers Game
Our research identified 38 entries in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database for live registered trademarks and pending applications that contain the word “Juneteenth.” The below table provides a glimpse into the scope of this trend. The predominant theme is to register the JUNETEENTH name as a trademark for cultural events. There are other JUNETEENTH trademarks that focus on commercialization of goods like candy, soda, and apparel items. There is a JUNETEENTH trademark for vodka.
![juneteenth trademark example juneteenth trademark example](https://esquiretrademarks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/juneteenth-trademark.jpg)
Before we delve deeper into Juneteenth Trademarks, let’s clarify some key points:
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Can you trademark Juneteenth?
Possibly. Generally you cannot trademark the name of the Juneteenth Holiday itself. As an applicant, you are likely to get a “failure to function” refusal for a Juneteenth Trademark application. This is because the Juneteenth word is a cultural / historical word. Juneteenth is an informational social, political, religious, or similar kind of message that merely conveys support of, admiration for, or affiliation with the ideals conveyed by the message. See In re Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 129 USPQ2d 1148, 1160 (TTAB 2019) (holding INVESTING IN AMERICAN JOBS not registrable for retail store services or promoting public awareness of goods made or assembled by American workers because the mark would be perceived as a phrase ācommonly used in the marketplace to convey a particular social and economic informational messageā).
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Are their ways to register the Juneteenth Trademark?
Examination of the Juneteenth trademarks in the table shows it is possible by adding other words or distinctive logo elements. However, the Trademark Office may make you enter a disclaimer of the non-protectable elements of the Juneteenth trademark.
Here’s a Table List of Juneteenth Trademarks, Live Applications and Registrations
Trademark | Goods / Services | Trademark Application No. | TM Application Date | Trademark Registration No. | Trademark Logo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
JUNETEENTH STRAWBERRY SODA | CLASS 032: Pop; Soft drinks; Soft drinks, namely, sodas; Soft drinks, namely, carbonated soft drinks. ... | 86769778 | 2015-09-27 | 4977063 | |
ALBANY JUNETEENTH | CLASS 041: Conducting educational exhibitions in the nature of music and culture; Conducting entertainment exhibitions in the nature of music and culture; Educational and entertainment services, namel... | 98117944 | 2023-08-04 | NONE | |
JUNETEENTH JOY | CLASS 004: Candles. ... | 90782179 | 2021-06-18 | 6997660 | |
JUNETEENTH JOY | CLASS 030: Dessert toppings, namely candy toppings; Bakery goods, namely, cookies and cakes; baking mixes; BBQ sauce; hot sauce; coffee; tea; honey; water ice; ice cream; seasonings. ... | 97292576 | 2022-03-02 | NONE | |
THE JUNETEENTH NATIONAL DAY PARADE ON FIFTH AVENUE | CLASS 041: Entertainment in the nature of ballet performances; Entertainment in the nature of dance performances; Entertainment in the nature of fashion shows; Entertainment in the nature of gymnastic... | 98122488 | 2023-08-08 | NONE | |
BLACK MOMMA JUNETEENTH | CLASS 033: Vodka; Alcoholic beverages containing fruit; Alcoholic beverages, except beer; Alcoholic beverages, namely, digestifs; Alcoholic beverages, namely, flavor-infused vodka; Alcoholic mixed bev... | 97458059 | 2022-06-14 | 7350252 | |
JUNE TEENTH JUBILEE | CLASS 041: Organizing ethnic festivals for cultural or entertainment purposes; organizing community festivals featuring primarily musical performances, live show performances, dance performances, educ... | 97849019 | 2023-03-21 | NONE | |
JUNE TEENTH | CLASS 041: Organizing ethnic festivals for cultural or entertainment purposes; organizing community festivals featuring primarily musical performances, live show performances, dance performances, educ... | 97849049 | 2023-03-21 | NONE | |
LEIMERT PARK JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL | CLASS 018: Tote bags; Tote bags incorporating RFID blocking technology. ...CLASS 025: Hoodies; T-shirts; Aprons; Athletic pants; Athletic shirts; Athletic shorts; Baseball caps and hats; Bath robes; B... | 98263282 | 2023-11-09 | NONE | |
TEEN MISS JUNETEENTH AMERICA | CLASS 041: Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions; Organization of events for cultural purposes; Organizing events in the field of pageants for cultural or educational purposes. ... | 98112387 | 2023-08-01 | 7421936 | |
JUNETEENTH NYC EDUCATING Ā· EMPOWERING Ā· ENTERTAINING | CLASS 041: Organizing cultural and arts events; Organization of entertainment exhibition events; Organizing community sporting and cultural events; Organization of events for cultural purposes; Organi... | 97421347 | 2022-05-20 | 7192319 | |
FREE Ā·ISH JUNETEENTH | CLASS 025: Headwear; Tops as clothing. ... | 88885232 | 2020-04-23 | 6343296 | |
JUNETEENTH FREEDOM FESTIVAL | CLASS 041: Organizing Juneteenth festivals for cultural or entertainment purposes. ... | 90277638 | 2020-10-26 | 6425574 | |
JUNETEENTH JOY | CLASS 030: Candy; Popcorn. ... | 90782135 | 2021-06-18 | 6997659 | |
JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST | CLASS 025: T-shirts; footwear; and hats. ...CLASS 041: Conducting entertainment exhibitions in the nature of music festivals; organizing music festivals for cultural or entertainment purposes; arrangi... | 90663747 | 2021-04-22 | 7007206 | |
JUNETEENTH PRIDE | CLASS 041: Arranging, organizing, conducting, and hosting social entertainment events; Organizing and hosting of events for cultural purposes. ... | 98045246 | 2023-06-15 | NONE | |
JUNETEENTH JOY | CLASS 029: Processed fruits in the nature of jams and jellies. ... | 97292677 | 2022-03-02 | NONE | |
GO3 VODKA THE OFFICIAL SPIRIT OF JUNETEENTH | CLASS 033: Vodka; Distilled spirits. ... | 98091927 | 2023-07-19 | NONE | |
1865 MISS JUNETEENTH USA | CLASS 036: Charitable foundation services, namely, fundraising activities and providing educational scholarships and financial assistance for students. ...CLASS 041: Entertainment in the nature of pag... | 98061231 | 2023-06-27 | NONE | |
MISS JUNETEENTH AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANTRY PROGRAM | CLASS 041: Organization of events for cultural purposes; Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions; Organizing events in the field of pageants for cultural or educational purposes. ... | 98072055 | 2023-07-05 | NONE | |
JUNIOR MISS JUNETEENTH | CLASS 041: Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions; organization of events for cultural purposes; organization of events in the field of pageants for educational purposes. ... | 90575981 | 2021-03-12 | 6835111 | |
JUNETEENTH IN JULY | CLASS 025: (Based on Intent to Use) Clothing, namely, shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, blouses, pants, shorts, skirts, underwear, hats, scarves and facial coverings in the nature of hijabs and knit face... | 90055085 | 2020-07-15 | NONE | |
MISTER JUNETEENTH | CLASS 041: Organizing events in the field of pageants for cultural or educational purposes; Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions. ... | 97565017 | 2022-08-25 | NONE | |
JUNE TEENTH LP LEGACY PROJECT | CLASS 041: Educational services, namely, conducting workshops in the field of black music; Entertainment and educational services, namely, the presentation of seminars, workshops and panel discussions... | 98111684 | 2023-08-01 | 7391805 | |
WE CELEBRATE JUNE FOR JUNETEENTH | CLASS 018: Tote bags. ...CLASS 025: Sweat shirts; T-shirts; Hooded sweat shirts. ... | 97933325 | 2023-05-12 | 7400919 | |
JUNETEENTH GALVESTON EST. 1865 WHERE IT ALL BEGAN | CLASS 014: lapel pins. ...CLASS 016: stickers. ...CLASS 021: coffee mugs. ...CLASS 025: shirts; hats. ...CLASS 041: Organizing cultural events, namely, African American history and culture, and Junete... | 97726924 | 2022-12-21 | 7405005 | |
GRANDMOTHER OF JUNETEENTH | CLASS 041: Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a community activist, for educational and entertainment purposes; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a celebrity com... | 98265506 | 2023-11-10 | NONE | |
NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM | CLASS 041: Museum services. ... | 98147519 | 2023-08-23 | NONE | |
JUNETEENTH APPAREL | CLASS 025: Apparel for dancers, namely, tee shirts, sweatshirts, pants, leggings, shorts and jackets; Athletic apparel, namely, shirts, pants, jackets, footwear, hats and caps, athletic uniforms. ... | 88520235 | 2019-07-17 | 6296098 | |
TEEN MISS JUNETEENTH | CLASS 041: Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions; organization of events for cultural purposes; organization of events in the field of pageants for educational purposes. ... | 90575971 | 2021-03-12 | 6835110 | |
ABCS OF JUNETEENTH | CLASS 025: T-shirts. ... | 97796373 | 2023-02-15 | 7316101 | |
JUNETEENTH JERSEYS | CLASS 040: Custom imprinting of jerseys; Custom imprinting of jerseys with decorative designs. ... | 97623766 | 2022-10-07 | NONE | |
MISS JUNETEENTH SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANTRY PROGRAM | CLASS 041: Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions; organization of events for cultural purposes; organization of events in the field of pageants for educational purposes. ... | 97411697 | 2022-05-16 | 7350182 | |
ONE JUNETEENTH | CLASS 041: Entertainment services in the nature of live musical and visualĀ art performances; Organizing community festivals featuring primarily dance, and concert performances and also providing vendo... | 97317754 | 2022-03-17 | 6846695 | |
INDY JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION | CLASS 041: Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions; Entertainment services in the nature of organizing and conducting holiday-themed festivals featuring black business owners and vendors, ... | 90755747 | 2021-06-04 | 6765240 | |
JUNETEENTH365 | CLASS 041: Organization of events for cultural purposes; arranging and conducting special events for social entertainment purposes; organizing ethnic festivals for cultural and entertainment purposes;... | 90139642 | 2020-08-26 | 6465192 | |
JUNIOR MISS JUNETEENTH AMERICA | CLASS 041: Organization of events for cultural purposes; Organizing events in the field of pageants for cultural or educational purposes; Entertainment in the nature of pageant competitions. ... | 98091854 | 2023-07-19 | 7421875 | |
NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM | CLASS 041: Museum services. ... | 98147513 | 2023-08-23 | NONE |