The operators of the premium domain FudgeShop.com, have filed for the registration of the mark “FUDGESHOP.COM SINCE 1992.”
Avopco LLC is a Tennessee based corporation and the application was filed for a stylized mark; the company’s fudge operation goes back to 1992 but the mark’s first date of use is listed as June 2020.
This 28 year gap indicates that the domain FudgeShop.com was sold about a year ago. Registered in 2005, the domain was acquired by B52 Media, operated by the late domain investor and all-round great human being, Lonnie Borck, in 2007. Source: NameBio.
FudgeShop.com was most likely sold via the Uniregistry Market, as it was parked there with a lander related to fudge and other similar products. The buyer established their Instagram account, FudgeShop1992, in November 2020.
Back to the trademark:
Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of “FUDGE SHOP” in stylized form with “.com” underneath “SHOP” and “SINCE 1992” underneath “Fudge”. A bottle pouring liquid appears to the left of “FUDGE”. The bottle has a circle containing three stars on the front.
The mark’s applied for ” Fudge and confections.”
Why was FUDGESHOP.COM applied for as a trademark at the USPTO?
It’s an ongoing trend among owners of generic domain names, following the decision by SCOTUS on the Booking.com trademark application.
Since then, dozens of generic domain names have been applied to be registered as trademarks, inclusive of the TLD. We keep track of these applications, and so far none has been decided upon.
As of January 5th, 2021, BOOKING.COM is a registered trademark with the USPTO.
Will these applications become the new norm? Watch this video from NamesCon Online 2020.
